New Zealand, 9-18-2017--Parakai to Auckland

On the last day of our trip we dropped the minivan off at the Auckland Spaceships location.  We can't recall ever having such a positive experience with a company as we did with Spaceships.  The van was well equipped and ran trouble-free throughout 3 weeks of driving extensively around both the South and North Islands.  More than that though, the people we dealt with were just outstanding. 

A good example is Vicki (pictured below) at the Auckland location.  She just couldn't do enough for us and everyone else who was either dropping off a van or picking one up.  Free wifi, free soft drinks, coffee and tea were all available, as was comfortable seating and a conference room.  She not only pointed out where the drinks were, but asked if she could make us coffee or tea. 

She also asked if she could call a cab for us to the airport, which was about 6 miles away.  When we inquired about the cost, she said "Oh no worries, that's on us."  At one point I (David) asked if she could be cloned as a model of customer service.  Everyone in the room heartily agreed.  

Vikki at the Auckland Spaceships Rentals

And the customer service didn't end there.  

Later that evening on the flight to San Francisco, we suddenly realized in considerable dismay that we'd left something important behind in the van.  On the sailing voyage we had a mascot, a stuffed Minnie Mouse doll that we'd come to have a significant sentimental attachment to.  Not only had Minnie accompanied us during the sailing voyage, but also during the NZ trip, where Pearl had perched her up on a curtain rod in the van.  When we cleaned out the van in Auckland, neither of us thought to look up and Minnie got left behind. 

When we landed in San Francisco the next day, Pearl's first task was to call the Spaceships company in Auckland.  Martin, the friendly fellow who'd originally helped us to make the van reservation answered and she explained the situation to him.  He said "Just a moment, love (he always called her 'love')." A couple minutes later he was back. "Minnie is sitting right here on my desk in her lovely purple dress." 

Needless to say, we were quite relieved and told him we'd reimburse him for his time and the postage to send her.  "No worries love, it's on us." he replied, reassuring us that lots of folks forget items and Spaceships is always happy to return them.  

Minnie arrived home yesterday and is now sitting above the table where we're writing this.  

Minnie keeps an eye on the blog.