BEST CUSTOMER SERVICE: Telstra, Broadway

Dear readers: it’s not that I don’t trust your judgment. Call me jaded, but when you nominated Telstra as the place to go for good customer service, I was sceptical. I was also wrong.

Ten minutes in the Telstra Broadway branch were enough to convince me that someone is actually paying attention to that sun-faded “The Customer is King” poster schtick adorning the staff room walls.

In fact two minutes were all it really took for me to start feeling guilty about lying to the keen young Telstra sales assistant about my telecommunications needs. He had pounced on me as soon as I entered the store, with a chirpiness level I felt bordered on indecent for a Sunday morning. “Hello! How are you! What can I do for you! ISN’T THE WORLD LOVELY.” I in turn mumbled something about wanting to buy a device with which I could use the internet. I think my exact words were “I need a non-dinosaur phone”. But little matter that I had no idea what I was talking about: in about three breaths, Mr Telstra had devised a short list based on my budget, usage level, and desired functions. When I finally announced that I would have to think about things, as I inevitably do, there was no “but since you’re here, perhaps you’d like to purchase…” spiel. Instead, the brochures I’d requested were gently pressed into my hands, I was instructed to come back if I had any further questions, and I wandered off into the sunshine unscathed. I didn’t walk away with a phone, but perhaps you will. (Sophie Tarr)

Lvl 1, Broadway Shopping Centre, 1 Bay Street, Broadway. 9280 4011, www.telstra.com.au