It seems to me that the more people move away from that specific definition of Virtual Assistant, the more other people want to (desperately, IMO) want to control who can and cannot call themselves a Virtual Assistant. If one wants to get into semantics, then virtual means online, and assistant is someone who assists. By their own standards of so narrowly defining the term and the industry, then they should be working harder to claim Virtual Administrative Assistant or Virtual Executive Assistant.

Thanks for a post that was right on!
Kimberly
JK Virtual Office Resources
http://www.jkvirtualoffice.com

Why? Knowledge is a wonderful thing. By letting this fellow business owner know that this package arrived damaged, you are empowering them. How?

First, they may want to send this gift to another client/colleague. They will think twice if they have the knowledge of shipping problems/damage. Second, perhaps they can contact the company that shipped/packaged the gift and get a refund. It’s best to be polite and honest. I would feel badly if I sent a damaged gift but I would want to know and take care of it.

What a thoughtful thing for your client to do! I have to say that when you’re good at what you do (and you are great), good clients appreciate it.

In all fairness, though, I would probably want to know if a gift I sent arrived broken. There are a few reasons for this - I may very well have insured it (and paid for that service). The shipping itself was definitely paid for and I would want to know if the service I paid for was lacking.

I guess it depends on your relationship with this client. Since he’s so far away, I doubt he’ll ever realize it’s NOT sitting on a mantle somewhere being admired.

Sigh. I admit though, I’m leaning toward the “less simple” response. Fact is, if I was the sender, I would absolutely want to be told about such a thing. And I have to trust that those I associate with professionally most likely hold similar views and values to me.

That’s why I have them as clients and colleagues, after all.

Interesting subject eh?

As awkward as it may seem, I’d still advise your client of the state it arrived in. That way at least they are aware for next time they want to send something fragile (to anyone). They will then know they must either wrap it up better, insure it or go with a different delivery service, so you’ll be doing them a favour and I’m sure they’ll appreciate you even more!
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