Since postage rates increased earlier this month, I’ve noticed that my mail isn’t arriving at my house any sooner. It’s not arriving late by any means, but since I started paying more for postage, I expected to receive my mail a little sooner than usual.
If a restaurant owner raises the prices on the menu items, I expect the food to taste better, and I expect the service to be more pleasant.
If my landlord raises my monthly rental fee, I expect to see more amenities added on my property.
If I donate money to a charity organization, I expect the organization to tell me how my money was spent.
If my credit card company raises my interest rate, I expect to be treated in a courteous manner whenever I call the 1-800 number instead of being transferred seven times and being put on hold for 30 minutes.
If my pastor passes around collection plates asking the congregation to donate money to the church’s “building fund,” I expect to see structural improvements to my church’s building.
Maybe I’m a little naive or maybe my expectations are too high. Am I wrong for expecting better services to go along with rate increases?
Tim Henley, staff writer