It all started with a Facebook post. I snapped a picture of a "Menstruation Crustacean" (lobster-shaped heating pad 😄) at Walmart and posted it with the comment that I didn't need that so much as I need Menopause Claws, a device I dreamed of inventing, that attaches to your body and regulates your temperature. My friend Andrew saw the post and sent me a link to a device that was invented at MIT years ago that does just that. I thought I would look into that product when I had time.
The next day was booked solid with both jobs and other obligations in between. But because of a scheduling error at my first job, I got to leave a couple hours early. I decided to use that time to research Menopause Claws (which is actually called Embr Wave, but I like my name better). To cut a long story shorter, suffice it to say that this is the email I ended up sending to their customer service:
Ok, your bot and your human convinced me to fork over $300 for this thing, which I was willing to do because the hot flashes and night sweats have been so miserable for 4 years. The website offered me a code (WELCOME10) for 10% off if I coughed up my email address, so I did. However, when I put the code in at checkout, the website tells me it's not a valid code. I tried all caps, no caps, space, no space..nothing works. The human on chat offered me several customer service options, including a phone number, so I called it. I got a message that said "Thank you for calling Embr Labs. Please leave a message and a customer service agent will get back with you" over and over on a loop. Maddeningly, there was no option to leave a message. So I sent a contact form. Then I got an email from you with a link that said "Get $30 off" so I clicked it. It took me right back to the website. Where's the $30? By now, I've developed serious doubts about the whole operation. If the customer service is this bad before I've even given you my $300, the 60-day money back guarantee is meaningless, because I'm sure I won't be able to return it for a refund, which I wasn't planning to do, but based on my experience with your company so far, I suspect the product doesn't even work. If you're scamming sweaty, irritable menopausal women, I wish you endless hot flashes.
Not my best WWJD moment. (tangent: I wonder how Jesus would have handled menopause? Probably sweated silently and graciously and healed Himself.) Meanwhile, resourceful Andrew sent me the email address of the CEO of the company. I sent her a more professional version of the above email (minus the curse of eternal hot flashes, etc), and she immediately replied with this incredible, generous email, clearly demonstrating why she's the CEO:
Hi Janel,
I am so glad that you wrote to me. Hearing about your experience is quite shocking to me - I completely understand your frustration! We recently launched a new website, and I suspect that you helped us discover some important issues!. I can't thank you enough. Our product is amazing and I want you to experience it. Please send me your address, and I will send you one for free and a second one that you can gift to a friend. Please let me know which colors you would like. My mobile phone number is below if you would like to speak to me directly. Again, I can't thank you enough for writing to me. Please accept my sincere apologies and thank you for giving us a second chance.
Best Regards,
Liz
I think that's how Jesus would run a company. Above and beyond. I sent Andrew the update. He asked if I would send him the extra one so he could use it as an olive branch for his wife, who is also suffering in menopause, and their relationship could benefit from the boost.
When I got to the ER that night, I was telling a patient about the whole thing. He was a young guy, but we made a connection and he needed a distraction, so I felt led to talk to him awhile. He was very engaged in the story, and when I got to the part about doubting the product even works, he said, "Oh, I think it does! I'm in a Facebook group for people with anxiety, and they have said it helps with hot flashes related to panic attacks. I'd like to get one but I can't afford it." I decided right then and there that I was going to give him mine. I finished the story, listened to one of his, gave him a hug and prayed for him, and he gave me his contact info and asked me to let him know how the device works when I get it. I started getting the idea that perhaps this whole thing is why I haven't received the healing I asked God for. I'll put up with all the misery of menopause just to see how God uses it. I would have missed connecting with Andrew, Liz (we have since exchanged several emails, and I really like her), the patient, and the Holy Spirit if I hadn't been going through this. Stay tuned to see what else He does with this.