Goodbye
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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Comments:
Best of luck with everything! Thanks for all you've done and will do!
Good luck Carey! I wish you well.
best of luck carey
aw-good luck carey!
Jeebus, I thought the site was closing. Please clarify next time (though you personally won't probably be able to). Best of luck though!
You sure went out with a bang with that "worst tip we've ever received" post! I hope you stole plenty of office supplies and had sex with a coworker in the break room before you left!
Good luck!
Farewell Carey. You did awesome work. Everyone will miss you.
from a loyal lurker, you will be missed, good luck!
I pretty much just got here, but I'm sorry to see you go. Good luck, even though I'm sure you won't really need it. :o)
Carey, you will be deeply missed. Best of luck in the future!!
Carey, you finished your time here with a series of INCREDIBLE articles this weekend. Letting you go is a mistake, and regardless of the reason, the site won't be the same without you.
Carey, You have gone above and beyond in your service to the fellow consumer. Do you know where you will be working next?
Goodbye! We'll miss you!
Sorry to see you go, Carey. Thanks for all the great posts you've made over the past two years, and here's hoping you enjoy whatever you do next as much as you enjoyed posting for the consumerist. We'll miss you!
What the others said. You did a great job here, and even though my memories of some your posts may remain addled by the consumption of Belgian Ales, you will be missed.
I can't think of anything to say that hasn't been said already, but I'll miss you too.
Good luck.
It's been so great to have content on the weekend. You will be sorely missed Carey and I hope the powers that pay the bills realise their mistake sooner rather than later. Good luck!
Thank you for your posts, tips and weekend updates. May fortune smile upon you as you return to the legion of readers.
[Gulp] [Sniff] What a wonderful goodbye letter, Carey. You can bet I'll be watching for where you turn up next, trying to make the world for the Mr. & Ms. Average.
Thank you for your posts, we are "taking this matter seriously"
Seriously though, great job with the weekend and best of luck!
Good luck Carey! I have always enjoyed your posts. You will be missed.
Best of luck to you, Carey. Thank you for your work.
your insight and wit will be much missed
Goodbyes suck.
Best of luck! Thank you for the tips, feedback, and hard work.
Goodbye, Carey! I really enjoyed your posts, and I will really miss them, and weekend Consumerist. I hope you land feet-first!
:( We will certainly miss you. Good luck with all your future endeavors!
I really enjoyed your writings. Simple, clear, yet very powerful -- unlike those of "trying-so-hard-to-be-hip-and-ironic" bloggers' we see somewhere else. Good luck!
:( I will miss reading your posts. Good luck in whatever comes next.
Good luck Carey.
It is pathetic that you have to leave, and is a poor reflection on the management of Gawker.
I have no reason to visit here on the weekend. Gawker loses a larger percentage of their weekly traffic. Their choice. Our loss.
You helped me once ages ago Carey. For that, thank you. You shall be missed.
Best of luck where ever you go.
Good luck bro.. Hope the next gig is everything you hope for. Peace.
Godspeed, sir. I've added your site to my Google Reader, so I'll be seeing you around!
So sorry to see you go! Maybe if the economy gets better, you con come back. :D
@IrvCrapper: Actually, I was referring to the ominous headline all by itself. When I see a blog start by saying "Goodbye," you get kinda nervous.
You are by far the sexiest one there! So yeah, you'll be missed.
So long Carey! Things sure won't be the same without you around here.
Let me add my voice to the chorus wishing you good luck with all your endeavors! I've always enjoyed reading your articles.
Carey,
You hold a special place in my heart and mind thanks to your use of Adderall as a verb. You, as well as your other compatriot who is being let go thanks to, in my opinion, a horrible decision, will be missed. Nothing I could put into words could express how much I have enjoyed your posts.
Good luck Carey. Keep us informed about where you go to work as we would like to keep up with your work. Much Love and Thanks for All You Do!
I've only been reading the site for like two months, but your weekend posts will be missed Carey. Good luck in your future endeavors.
Carey,
We've all known this day was coming since the layoffs were first posted. What we didn't know, however, was that you would spend the time between producing some of the best consumer advocacy articles many of us have read anywhere. Ever. This kind of hard work and dedication shows a level of professional integrity that should prove absolutely invaluable to whoever is lucky enough to be your next employer. Best of luck, and many thanks. Truly "Above and Beyond".
Thanks for everything, Carey! This place will never be the same without you. You have a bright future and wish you all the best!
As seen from the comments, you can definitely tell that your work has not gone unnoticed. I wish you my most sincere regards and luck!
Farewell! Sad to see you go!
You will be sorely missed. May your future endeavors be just as meaningful and rewarding.
Carey, I loved having you here on weekends and will definitely follow you over to tumblr. Good luck and thanks so much for all your hard work.
You did a great job on the weekends. You will be missed.