Elements Snow Removal--A Lesson in how NOT to behave

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There’s a snow removal company in Truckee, California that has a monopoly. Elements it’s called.

We’ve had 5+ feet of snow here in three days and it’s still snowing.  For two 26 hour periods in there, we've been snowed in--it's very comfortable in our house, and we have lots of food, and Netflix, and all the rest.  And, we're trying to quarantine in the belief that somehow we're helping hold back the worst of Coronavirus.

Who needs self-regulation when you're actually help prisoner in your house (not entirely true--we've climbed out on snowshoes and cross country skis).  Having snow up to the top of your garage door actually has a calming effect--your choices are eliminated. 

So, you get the picture: a service provider with terribly low standards of customer care, failing again during this current storm.

Elements sent out a message yesterday that should be a reminder to all of us about how to care for your neighbors in times of anxiety, trouble, and fear. In a self-centered five paragraphs, here's what they shared with their captive customers: 


  1. Be patient, and stop complaining (this should be their corporate motto)
  2. Our drivers are tired (never mind this is the first snow we’ve had in 60 days here), and
  3. My favorite:  it’s YOUR fault because you people are going out in the snow and getting in the way.  Stay inside if you want your driveway cleared.

We've been a customer of Elements for 14 years (they formed out of two equally defeatist companies). It's not a surprise that they need some serious help with their messaging and "PR." Since we're all worried right now, their lack of class is particularly bothersome because it confirms that selfish, thoughtless, me-first thinking is an endemic part of our society.  

We've got nothing to fall back on except guns and ignorance when the going gets tough...even for only 72 hours, as is the case in Truckee California. How are we going to handle 2 months?  6 months? A year? Forever?

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