The Value of Service

In a world of online shopping and self-checkout,  we often lose sight of the things that really matter.  We got to this place because of our hectic lives, be it at home, work, or even socially.  So yesterday when I was 20 miles away from home and trying to catch a customer, it hit me that I forgot to bring the trash bin to the corner.  Particularly aggravating this time of year as the foyer looks like the shipping and receiving department of Costco with all the boxes!  With my phone buzzing in the meeting, I was quick to view who needed me back in the car.  It was the Ring camera, showing the local trash man drive past the driveway, stop, get out, and walk up the driveway to get my overflowing bin.  That is Customer Service! He could have drove by and went about his route and I wouldn’t have blamed him.  But he didn’t.  We often forget the value of Service and what that means to our everyday lives.  It was an eye opening and refreshing reminder of what should really matter.  Markets continue to retreat back towards mid-October levels, with Diesel futures only about $.10 away after falling almost $.40 in the last few weeks.  Rate changes and an uptick in hostilities towards Venezuela could mute further losses.  But currently, there are some values in Q3 and Q4 of 2026 to be aware of.  And Thank You McNamara Waste!