Client: Claris (Executive Assistant) Mission: Urgent purchase & delivery of picnic gear to Sheung Wan Deadline: December 25th, 9:00 AM Sharp (Christmas Morning) Challenge: Payment barriers and a race against time.
The Last-Minute Request
It was December 24th, the day before Christmas. At 11:53 AM, an urgent message landed in our inbox from Claris, an Executive Assistant.
Claris’s purchasing request email
Her client in Hong Kong needed a specific set of items for a holiday outing:
A neutral-colored cooler tote.
A camping mat.
Acrylic wine glasses (specifically not glass).
The deadline was non-negotiable: Tomorrow morning. This is exactly the kind of Urgent Errand Service we specialize in. We replied immediately: “Yes, we can do it.”
The Hunt for the Perfect Gear
We didn’t just say “yes”—we went to work. By 2:48 PM, we had sourced the items. We sent Claris photos of a sleek grey cooler bag and the correct wine glasses. We didn’t just pick the first thing we saw; we made sure they matched her strict “neutral color, no big logos” requirement.
Claris confirmed quickly: “The proposed items are acceptable. Please proceed with delivery tomorrow at 9:00 AM.”
Claris product confirmation email
So far, so good. But then, we hit a wall.
The Payment Wall
Claris is based in Kenya, arranging this for a client in Hong Kong. She tried to pay via WeChat Pay. It failed. She tried again. Failed again. Her client didn’t have Alipay. They didn’t have WeChat. They only had AMEX or cash.
At 4:33 PM, Claris sent a message that sank our hearts:
“Unfortunately… we will not be proceeding with the order at this time. Thank you for your time.”
It looked like the mission was over. The rigid walls of international payment systems had blocked a simple picnic.
Breaking the Rules for a Client
We looked at the clock. It was 5:21 PM on Christmas Eve. If we didn’t act now, Claris’s client would have no gear for their Christmas morning.
We made a decision. Usually, for Purchase-on-Behalf Services, we require upfront payment to cover costs. But Claris had been professional, responsive, and clear. We trusted her.
We wrote back: “We understand the situation. We can offer Cash on Delivery (COD).”
We took the risk. We bought the items with our own money, booked a dedicated runner for the holiday morning, and simply asked Claris to confirm.
She replied instantly: “Please proceed thank you.”
Claris confirms order restart
Christmas Morning Delivery
December 25th, 9:00 AM. While most of Hong Kong was opening presents, our runner arrived at U Lam Terrace in Sheung Wan. The items were delivered. The cash was handed over. The mission was a success.
Claris wrote to us later that morning:
“Thank you so much for your excellent service. I will definitely be in touch for future errands.”
Claris’s letter of appreciation for Zerrand’s services
Why Zerrand?
This story isn’t about buying a cooler bag. It’s about flexibility. Big apps and standard courier companies don’t care if your payment fails on Christmas Eve. They just cancel the order. We care. We find a way.
You need to log in to post a comment.
Log In