Some time ago, I subscribed to a local kayaking outfitter's email list after finding their website during an internet search.
A few days later, I received an email from them, describing upcoming kayaking trips, sales, etc. There were a number of appealing offers and I thought I might actually visit their store... but there was absolutely no contact information in their email.
No website link. No address. No phone number. Nothing. Nada. And, since their email was sent via AOL (and I had failed to bookmark their website -- d'ohhh!), I'd have to spend time on a websearch to find them again.
I thought it a little odd, so I sent them a quick email just to say, "Hey, I'd like to visit, but your email was missing a few things..."
How did they reply?
They didn't. Not directly, that is. Oh, they did re-send the email the next day, this time with all their contact information, store address, and website links.
But I never received a personal reply. No "Thank you." No "We appreciate your interest, here's how to find us..." N0 "Boy, that could have cost us a lot of money, here's a coupon for a free kayak."
Okay, a free kayak may be expecting too much. A "thank you", however, costs nothing. It's a simple way of going one step beyond the average business. (And ignoring simple common courtesy when it comes to interacting with customers does seem to be the running trend with businesses big and small -- see Community Guy Jake McKee's story about ebay spoofing.)
So, use your head, and use your manners.
Show a little basic appreciation to your customers when they choose your business and especially when they go out of their way to help you make your business better.
Thanks!