The five words I'd never thought I'd hear.

[ShadowTiger]

So I'm making keys. This one is a chip key. Takes a while. The guy has other keys he had to get made besides the chip key, so it took even longer. I was at the desk for about twenty minutes from start to finish. All the while, there was an elderly'ish gentleman waiting by the desk. I apologized to him for the wait, explaining that "good keys take time and cannot be rushed. ^_^ "

His reply? "Damn straight. Your keys are worth waiting for." My ear perks up. Did I hear "Your keys," or "You guys' keys." I dismiss the thought, and continue with the sets. I bid the first guy farewell.

I turn to the elderly sir, and apologize again for the wait. He rests his hands on the desk in that "final" gesture, and says "Hey, as long as you're the one who makes me the keys, it's worth it. It's more than worth the wait." My reaction is a simple head-tilt, and if I let loose with an "hunh? ... " I wouldn't have remembered doing it.

"Oh, absolutely. You're better than that locksmith. The one across the street? His keys are just no good. Every time I come here, the keys you make me work. Every one of them."

"Me ... ?"

"Yep."

At this point he shakes my hand.

I make his keys, and slip half the cost of his keys in quarters into his bag without him knowing it. Hey, you get what you give.

[Sapphire Silk]

Great story.

I had a similar good experience with a staff person at my local Home Depot last year. I had to go out of town for 4 weeks on a travel nurse assignment. I couldn't find my spare key, and needed a spare key to give to a friend who was house sitting for me.

I got to the Home Depot about an hour or so before they closed; my flight was the next day. They weren't busy, and the gal was quite friendly chatting with me while she made the spare. I paid for it, hopped into the car and drove home. Then I tested the new key on my lock and oh the horror! It didn't work.

In a panic, I get back into my car and race back to the Home Depot, and get there just as they are closing. The gal who made my key was closing up when I got there.

Me: PleasehelpmeIknowyouareclosingbutIamgoingoutoftown inthemorningandthekeydidn'tworkpleasehelp!

Awesome Gal : Oh, sure honey. Come on in. We're closing, but this will just take a minute. I'll make you a new key.

She then proceeds to make a key, which I took home and worked fine. I thanked her profusely going out the door. Whew!

[RootedPhoenix]

Your stories remind me that nice people still exist. Makes me smile.