After nearly two years and 1,221 posts, it’s time to hang up my fedora and say goodbye.
I have been a Consumerist reader from the start. The site was such a poignant realization that consumers didn’t need to be a deprecated race, ignored and abused by corporations who wanted us only to spread our wallets and beg for more. This was our safe space, the dojo where we could train to fight back.
I jumped at the opportunity to join the team, happy just to be able to contribute to such extraordinary work. When I nervously agreed to let Ben march me into IDT, I never expected to emerge with an offer to be the site’s weekend editor.
Writing for The Consumerist has been a pleasure, not a job. Along the way, I even started looking forward to calling customer service. The tips we write about day in and day out actually work, and once you master them, you will never again fear any company.
It has been amazing to watch the site generate actual results. Posts are now inevitably followed by the pitter-patter of public relations footsteps, ever-eager to “expeditiously resolve this isolated incident.” Every serious company now needs to scrunch their face up against our window to listen in on our conversation. Some are starting to realize that investing in customer service is a win-win proposition, but for those that don’t, this site remains the best place to teach consumers how to reach the executive suite, grab the ear of the C.E.O., and demand the service they are paying for, and the respect they deserve.
I have been most surprised by the personal responses from the smaller companies and independent business we’ve written about, the ones who have responded in such a heartfelt way that you’d think you accidentally spat on your neighbor. Their quick and direct replies show that nothing will ever beat person-to-person service unhampered by rigid policies and quality control supervisors.
Still, there is so much more work to be done. Though I’m especially proud of starting Above and Beyond, you would be shocked how many tips arrive in our tipbox heralding supposedly exemplary service that read: “my brand new expensive product fell apart but the company replaced it!” The bar of customer service has clearly been set far too low for far too long, and it’s been beyond rewarding to be part of the struggle to nudge it ever higher.
I’ve worked for the government and I’ve worked with non-profits, but writing for The Consumerist has been the most meaningful and downright effective work I’ve yet to do. I’ll never be able to thank Ben enough for trusting me to write the site.
So where do I go from here? Who knows… The Consumerist has been my home for almost two years. I will keep writing about consumer issues, but until I know more, you can follow me at carey-on.tumblr.com. For now, I’ll rejoin the ranks of loyal readers, eager to see what Ben and Meghann have planned for the future.
Thank you for reading, and goodbye. — CAREY GREENBERG-BERGER
Carey Lives Here Now [Tumblr]
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You’ve been much enjoyed. Thanks, and good luck.
Some of the best posts I’ve ever read on The Consumerist were posted by you this weekend. Kudos for the much-needed post on Ticketmaster.
Weekends on The Consumerist won’t be the same without you, and I hope to see you as a guest poster in the future.
You’ve done an amzing job Carey, thank you.
Good night, and good luck.
Goodbye Carey, you’re going to be missed. It’s such a disappointment that you’re going, I’ve always enjoyed your posts.
Good luck!!! Gawker has made a mistake in letting you go!!!
*tosses bra*
I love you, Carey!!!
(Seriously, you bring a level of humor to this site that will be very dearly missed. This sucks.)
Your articles and information have done all Consumerist readers a great service. It’s a shame to see you go, but you’ll doubtless go on to greener pastures. Good luck in your ventures…I’ll be reading your blog.
Dearest Carey,
I would continue to point out things about your great posts and yada yada yada. But I’d be lying. I read this site because I have always found you and the gay to be lookers. Ben and Meaghann…ehh not so much. But srsly. It’s not fair! Can’t they axe people from all those other Gawker sites I don’t care about? And also, if you move to Houston I can get you a sweet deal at the Box Factory I work at. Ever wonder how boxes are made? It’s more complicated than you think. Okay, again I am bull-shitting. It’s pretty easy to make the boxes. But not all Texans are dumb rednecks. I am a proud democratic sodomite. Remember their are steers AND queers here. The steers just seem to get more of the attention. Which frankly isn’t fair. I spend an hour everyday putting on makeup, and the crazy lazy-eyed Vietnam Vet that works on the box line with me never notices. Or he doesn’t seem to notice at least. I guess I cannot tell for sure. Anyway, I forgot I was telling you good-bye.
Bye!
Best of luck, Carey. Transitions come, some voluntarily, some not so. You’ll come out of it a better person with real experience, knowing that you’ve done a lot of good for the cause represented here. Cheers!
Boo. =/
*sniff*
Good luck to you.
I have only been reading for about 2-3 months, but I love your site. I check it as much as I check my email. I am sad to see this site lose several writers in a couple weeks. I can’t imagine that your readership has been going down.
Sorry to see you go Carey.
carey, you’re wonderful! thank you so much for all that you do … i’ll definitely follow you on your other site and i wish nothing but the best for you =) it’s certainly a loss for us consumerist addicts …
Thanks for all of the great, informative posts over the last couple of years. It won’t be the same without you.
Your work on this site has been amazing. Your perspective will be desperately missed.
Fantastic work, and always quality writing. I thank you!
Thanks for everything, Carey! Best of luck to you
Carey – your posts always had so much joy, personality and craft infused in them. Your voice will be missed greatly and we look forward to seeing your future work!
take care. You’ve made a big difference.
I still can’t believe that the wenches at Jezebel are all still there and they are getting rid of you.
Anyway, good luck, Carey. Thanks for helping to make my weekends less boring!
Good luck, Carey.
I hope you’ll do well.
I’ve enjoyed your writing immensely. Best of fortune in your future!
We love you Carey, I wish that things hadn’t ended up this way. We wish you well in all of your future endeavors!
Thanks for the work you put in here for all of our benefit. You’ll be missed.
Carey,
The cuts in Gawker went to THE WRONG BLOG SITE. Too bad that Nick Denton doesn’t realize it (yet).
This is one of the most important of the Gawker blog sites, and you were among it’s most important of writers.
Best of luck in your future endeavors. I look forward to reading more of your prose.
Thanks again for what you have done here.
Good luck in the future–we’ll be missing you.
Good bye and good luck! It’s been a pleasure reading you every weekend for the almost year that I’ve been reading this site now (as a guest until fairly recently). Thanks!
Good luck Carey!
Thank You for all your fine post!
I’ll miss this guy. I’ve been around just as long, but don’t post near as much.
Oh and I don’t live near any of the editors.
Good luck.
Good luck!
Thanks for your dedication and hard work. Good luck for the future.
Thank you for what you have done. I wish you the best.
Good work, Carey. You will be missed, since there’ll be less posts.
Good luck on your next endeavor.
Good luck, Carey!
good luck!!
Best of luck, Carey. The site won’t be the same without you.
Goodbye and Good Luck Carey!
Good luck, Carey!
Bye Carey! I know you’ll land on your feet.
Goodbye and good luck, Carey. I will miss you here at Consumerist but not elsewhere, as I’m already following your tumblr. Take care.
The weekends won’t be the same! I will miss all your posts.
Best wishes Carey!
Thank you so much for all your excellent work! You will be terribly missed here!
Bye Carey! Good luck! You were one of the reasons this site was so great. You’ll definitely be missed here.
I’ve always enjoyed your stories and hope that your clever and engaging writing takes you on to greater things.
Goodbye Carey and good luck! *HUG*
Good luck with whatever is next for you! You’ll be missed!
Sorry to hear you have to go. Thanks for all you’ve done here.
Best of luck, Carey. I am sure you will land on your feet, but your posts will be missed here!
Good luck! You will be missed!