 What is ironic about Earth's customer service policy?
A Gift From Earth By MANLY BANISTER Illustrated by KOSSIN [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from Galaxy Science Fiction August 1955. Except for transportation, it was absolutely free ... "It is an outrage," said Koltan of the House of Masur, "that the Earthmen land among the Thorabians!" Personally, he was in favor of the coming of the Earthmen to the world of Zur. Around the table sat the six brothers—Koltan, eldest and Director of the Pottery; Morvan, his vice-chief; Singula, their treasurer; Thendro, sales manager; Lubiosa, export chief; and last in the rank of age, Zotul, who was responsible for affairs of design. It is our strength and our fortune. It is the muscle and bone of our trade. Earthmen may come and Earthmen may go, but clay goes on forever ... and with it, the fame and fortune of the House of Masur." "It is a damned imposition," agreed Morvan, ignoring his father's philosophical attitude. "The Thorabians will lick up the gravy," said Singula, whose mind ran rather to matters of financial aspect, "and leave us the grease." By this, he seemed to imply that the Thorabians would rob the Earthmen, which the Lorians would not. "Doubtless," said Zotul unexpectedly, for the youngest at a conference was expected to keep his mouth shut and applaud the decisions of his elders, "the Earthmen used all the metal on their planet in building that ship. Such frank expression of motive was unheard of, even in the secret conclave of conference. "When your opinion is wanted, we will ask you for it. It was a common enough thing among the brothers Masur, as among everybody, to be frustrated in their desires. Still smarting, Zotul went back to his designing quarters and thought about the Earthmen. If it was impossible to hope for much in the way of metal from the Earthmen, what could one get from them?
 What is 'right' for the customer always benefits the corporation, directly or indirectly
 The customer service policy was drafted by Zurians, not Earthmen  The customer service policy offers no ideal alternatives for non-Earthmen  Earthly corporations have no real solutions for dealing with problems presented by their customers  What is 'right' for the customer always benefits the corporation, directly or indirectly