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It's the Little Courtesies
updated: Nov 30, 2012, 7:57 PM

By Edhat Subscriber

Marborg is Awesome! This morning as I was backing out of my drive way the Marborg truck was next door. Seeing that I was ready to leave they drove by me and picked up the trash at the next stop instead of making me wait. They then backed up the truck and retrieved my container. This may not seem like a big deal, but it is the little common courtesies that do matter. BTW I live in Buellton, so thanks to the Marborg employees that service this area.

Comments in order of when they were received | (reverse order)

COMMENT 349042P	2012-11-30 08:14 PM
A little bit of thoughtfulness, by anyone and everyone, goes such a long way. Random acts of kindness and all that? YES! Remember when Pay It Forward was so popular in pop culture? I'm not saying it isn't anymore, I'm just reminiscing. The movie did light a spark. The history of the concept is interesting, as summarized on wikipedia. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pay_it_forward#History (yes indeed, tip of the hat to Catherine Ryan Hyde.)
COMMENT 349043P	2012-11-30 08:15 PM
OP, the best thing you can do is put it in writing, with address and time of day, call Marborg to identify what supervisor is responsible for crew, and mail it!
COMMENT 349049P	2012-11-30 08:29 PM
I witnessed some MarBorg courtesy a couple of weeks ago -- evidently while collecting my trash, the worker accidentally knocked over my still-full recycling bin. I watched as he spent 5+ minutes picking up all the stuff that had been spilled and putting it back in the blue bin. It sounds silly, but it impressed me. I'm not sure our previous trash hauler would have done the same.
NATURE BOY	2012-11-30 08:33 PM
People can behave awesomely, no matter what profession they're in! This is a great reminder of that. I love hearing stories that remind us of this. Excellent!!
COMMENT 349052	2012-11-30 08:37 PM
I am constantly amazed at how gracious, thoughtful, and polite all the Marborg guys are. Having moved from N. California, where "garbage men" won't even make eye contact, these professionals are always gems. They never fail to smile, wave, and make room for drivers. Thanks for giving them a shout out. They deserve it in this world where so many people don't extend the simplest courtesy. Folks, don't forget the old-fashioned habit of a cash Christmas gift. If you don't see them during the day, I understand you can send a check to the office and mark it "Holiday Gift." It gets distributed evenly. They deserve it.
COMMENT 349061	2012-11-30 08:51 PM
Great post.... thank you. I've always found that the noblest deeds often come from the least likely places.
COMMENT 349073P	2012-11-30 10:14 PM
I dont see it as a unexpected surprise, the Marborg employees at least the ones I see in my neighborhood are always respectful and seem to be in positive moods. It is nice to hear others have the same impressions of them.
COMMENT 349076P	2012-11-30 11:34 PM
I totally agree that Marborg and their employees are the best! Just think that that little bit of kindness started off the holiday season on a great note. I always make it a practice to give credit where credit is due. Not only to the people, but to their managers, etc... What goes around comes around, or is it the other way around?
REXOFSB	2012-12-01 12:10 AM
My certifiably psycho next-door neighbor complains about everyone for everything. A couple of months ago I saw a Marborg pickup truck at his house. On investigation (okay, I was snooping), it turns out that psycho neighbor had gotten angry at Marborg for some imagined injustice, and hadn't called Marborg to complain, he'd actually called City Hall. I called Marborg to tell them that in all the time I've had Marborg service, the trash collectors in my neighborhood (the upper Westside) have always been friendly, courteous and professional, and that the wack-job next-door made a career out of making life miserable for other people, and that whatever gripe he had was no doubt completely unfounded. Which, of course, turned out to be true. All utilities should be run like Marborg--which is a true credit to our community.
COMMENT 349081P	2012-12-01 01:06 AM
The Marborg employees on our street are exceptional - kind, friendly, Luis commutes to this job from L.A. and Ventura and he always has smile. Marborg - exemplary local business that is a role model of good service. Thanks for reminder to have at least a greeting card of thanks to the crew here.
SBBEEBOY	2012-12-01 06:40 AM
Thanks for sharing some positive news. REXOFSB, I am also on the upper WS, and have to agree that Marborg employees are gentlemen (don't think I've seen or noticed any gentlewomen).
COMMENT 349094	2012-12-01 07:07 AM
I agree that they are very courteous. Just think how nice Walmart employees (and others) could be if their employer respected them enough as human beings to pay them a living wage.
COMMENT 349095	2012-12-01 07:07 AM
Another interesting tidbit about Marborg. Their septic cleanout truck was beautifully painted with "Lee and Neal" and I kinda imagine that there is an actual Mr. Lee and Mr. Neal that operate this 'foul' service and Marborg gives them credit. Does anyone know if that is true? And yes, Marborg has great service and pride in their company. As my Mom taught me...doesn't matter what you do, as long as you do it well.
COMMENT 349099	2012-12-01 07:19 AM
I am also impressed that Marborg's garbage trucks look like they are headed to a car show. They are clean, shiny, and even have chrome wheels which are also spotless. The employee's are great and the Borgatello family is a class act.
CALTEX	2012-12-01 07:24 AM
Marborg is an awesome company from the bottom to the top!! True professionals, from the bottom to the top!!! An asset to our community.
COMMENT 349103P	2012-12-01 07:28 AM
I'm near More Mesa and will add my appreciation for the great job these guys do. They wave every time they go by and make sure to toot the horn for the grandkids who love to watch the robotic arm dumping the trash. Remember them at Christmas!
COMMENT 349113	2012-12-01 08:09 AM
The Borgatello family is amazing, so kind and thoughtful and it shows in their employees. They are hard workers themselves and an excellent example to all. Notice the rise in their business too.
COMMENT 349122	2012-12-01 08:36 AM
They are such a friendly crew and I agree with remembering them at Christmas-----I usually give $30-$40 and am wondering what other people give........
COMMENT 349131	2012-12-01 08:56 AM
I agree with all the positive posts about Marborg. I think 113's post explains why. The Borgatello family is exceptional and I am sure they communicate their expectations to their employees by word and deed and they obviously do a very good job of selecting employees that are willing to meet those expectations. They also treat their employees well.
COMMENT 349135P	2012-12-01 09:01 AM
Call me corny and sentimental, but this post made me teary! I love Santa Barbara, but sometimes even here the bad and complaining can drown out the good. Not when it comes to how we feel about this company and its employees who take care of our trash and recycling! 122, the past several years I used to give $20 for each service (green, recycle, trash--because they are separate crews), but because I am so inspired, and am able to this year, I am going to give them $50 each. Thanks everyone for reminding me about the good here.
COMMENT 349144	2012-12-01 09:19 AM
I just want to give a shout out for the BFI crew that used to work the Old Town Goleta route before it went to Marborg...they were very friendly and helpful and I was so sad to see them go. The new guys are nice, too, but I miss the old crew and I really hope that they got to keep their jobs.
COMMENT 349157P	2012-12-01 09:56 AM
Another Marborg fan here. They are a business run with respect for their customers, and make decisions with concern for them and not just the bottom line. They have a monopoly is this town, and could very easily abuse it with high rates and shoddy service, but they rise above that. Does anyone know how their employees are treated in terms of benefits, compensation, and management style? They must be doing something right to have such helpful, pleasant employees.
COMMENT 349167	2012-12-01 10:14 AM
Refuse technicians deserve a xmas bonus.
COMMENT 349168	2012-12-01 10:15 AM
The company attitudes filter down from the top. The Borgatello family values influence their employees. When you have outstanding and sincere leadership in a company you often have employees that have the same stellar values and it will carry over into their work!
COMMENT 349169	2012-12-01 10:17 AM
9144.... Marborg kept the BFI employees that wanted to stay.
COMMENT 349179P	2012-12-01 10:28 AM
..my trash guy gets a pint of Hornitos...;-)
COMMENT 349196P	2012-12-01 10:50 AM
9122, we also give about that much as a Christmas tip ($30-40) to the 6 people on garbage, greens and recycling; raise it a llittle bit each year because everything else raises a bit each year! Those are nasty jobs and during the year they clear out, with a smile, those small extra garbage nuisances that we can't take to the dump ourselves.
COMMENT 349199	2012-12-01 10:52 AM
I just love this discussion! It really warms my heart and was a wonderful thing to read this morning. Thanks to the person who started it.
COMMENT 349204	2012-12-01 11:00 AM
I had the same type of experience this morning. They were kind enough to wait and also check traffic so that I could exit the driveway.
REXOFSB	2012-12-01 11:01 AM
Wow--26 responses (now 27) and not one that's negative or snarky. This has got to be some sort of Edhat record. Way ta go, Marborg! We like you. We really LIKE you!
COMMENT 349248	2012-12-01 01:17 PM
Marborg - my favorite utility/service provider of all time. Innovative, economical, professional, courteous.
COMMENT 349285	2012-12-01 03:23 PM
Tears. Serious. So much honest appreciation. I love it. Unless something incredible comes along, this thread is my xmas miracle. Thanks, Marborg, Edhat, and commenters.
STRAY	2012-12-01 04:19 PM
Our Marborg workers are always courteous, wave, and if you encounter them picking up your trash, they even greet you and engage in conversation. We moved to a new location and the same Marborg workers recognized me and remembered where we formerly resided. For years at Xmas, in a card taped to the can handles (hidden out of site), I give $40 each for the green, blue, and the brown pickup worker, in small bills, so he can divide it up. The Marborg workers are worth it....
CORKY	2012-12-01 05:21 PM
I'm pretty sure many of my friendly BFI workers are now still on my Marborg route. I try to leave or give money to the workers hoping the same ones do the run three times, but could be wrong.
ACF	2012-12-02 03:57 AM
I have been told that Marborg workers are very well paid and I believe it. Plus, they deserve it. We always leave a nice tip at Christmas and I hope others take up this good custom. I talked to one of our guys recently and he told me that he had two sons at UC Berkeley.
EDHATBARBARA	2012-12-02 09:16 AM
I live in Carpinteria and our service is from Harrison -- now I'm jealous!!
COMMENT 349489P	2012-12-02 11:03 AM
Mario was a guest speaker in one of my classes at UCSB. He struck me as kind, honest and humble. It was amazing to hear how the company started with his grandfather collecting refuse from the marines during ww2 to feed their pigs.

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