This week the winners of the Craig Daily Press’ Best of Moffat County contest were released.

One notable winner was MJK Sales & Feed ACE Hardware, who took home four awards including Best Customer Service.

That MJK took home an award for customer service should come as no surprise to anyone who has set foot in the establishment. Often there is not just one employee, but several who go out of their way to offer assistance.

While MJK received the recognition, the editorial board contends the level of customer service one can expect to receive at any establishment in Moffat County is usually exemplary. There certainly are some exceptions, but the board thinks in a small community like ours those who don’t respect their customers or clients usually reap what they sow.

Once again, the existence of friendly service shouldn’t come as a shock to anyone familiar with the Moffat County community. The warm welcomes and attentive service customers usually receive in local businesses are something of an extension of the friendly, laid back atmosphere and western hospitality present in our corner of Colorado.

And although customers usually appreciate friendly service, the editorial board wants to remind the residents of Moffat County that the respect shown by businesses offering excellent service should be a two-way street.

It may be true that businesses have a lot to gain by providing quality service, but that doesn’t mean customers have the right to take advantage of that fact and be disrespectful just because they can.

The board isn’t suggesting that customers never have the right to get upset — there definitely are instances in which businesses haven’t provided adequate goods or services, and in those cases customers are justified in letting those businesses know about it.

However especially during a hot, dry, dusty summer in a bad economy, it can be easy to lose patience and treat little issues like big problems. All that does is stifle the kind of friendly service we want to be known for in Moffat County.

When dealing with local businesses this summer, the editorial board urges readers to be aware of the level of customer service they are receiving and to return quality service with respectful patronage. Doing so will only help to increase the friendly nature of our community in the future.

Click here to have the print version of the Craig Daily Press delivered to your home.