DNA Lady
In this world of 800 numbers, toll free customer service, over the counter "do it yourself" everying and the world wide web - why do some business people, think that a locally owned and operated business plan will succeed in today's market. It's hard to imagine the David and Goliath scenario - of a local, family owned business competiting with the likes of Rite Aid, Walmart, Labcorp or any other well known national or international store. Why would I shop on my main street when I can go to a mall and be dazzled by the marked up, dressed up, "specialty shoppes".
Here's a quick story to remind you of what you can get on Main Street. First, the person behind the counter probably knows you as you walk through the door and is actually interested in how your day is going. He or she, may know that you like a particular brand, color, food, time of year or they may just know that you live in the area and no one needs to follow you around the store for fear of your stealing something. When you purchase those light bulbs and one seems to be broken, they know you wouldn't nickel and dime them and will easily refund or exchange your item for you - without a song and dance. You bought it last Friday (and they remember that you were in their store) and didn't get a chance to check it out until the following Friday but they still refund or exchange your item - because you've been in their store before and they remember you and more importantly they want you to come back. That's the difference between going to a store on main street owned by a family and going to a "fancy" mall store - the mall sales personnel are more interested in what the gang is doing tonight and wouldn't remember you if you stamped your name on their foreheads.
Here's a delicate situation where had the alleged father used his local DNA collector - he would not have to wait another 6 months for his DNA test results and would have someone to talk to about his DNA samples. A young man, home on leave during the Thanksgiving week went on line before coming home and ordered up a DNA Test via one of those "800" numbers. They debited his credit card and told him they would call him back to confirm his appointment. He waited for a few days but no one called him - so he phoned the "800" number, gave them some 8 digit identification number that he was told to refer to when speaking to them (the 800 customer service representative didn't need to remember this was Sargeant "so and so" on leave for short visit to his home town in New Jersey and had a small window of opportunity to confirm this was his new daughter before being shipped out to overseas for 6 months- why should she remember his name or circumstances?) Anycase, the "800" customer service lady punched in the 8 digit number and told this soldier that they are waiting for a someone from the laboratory in New Jersey to confirm they will be open for his appointment. Finally, the "800" number did call back and confirm that the Sargeant could come in on Friday, the day after Thanksgiving for his DNA collection. He would get results by Wednesday/Thursday the latest.
He attended the DNA collection, along with the new baby girl and her mother. All were identified, photographed and the non invasive DNA collection was performed. He spent the weekend with other family members, as well as the new baby girl and her family. Monday rolled around and most everyone went back to work, he still had a few days off to catch up with old friends, visit the neighborhood, have a great big cheeseburger and think about the possibilities of being a "new dad".
Wednesday came and went, the "800" operator said she only works until 4pm and didn't see any results attached to his "identifying number" and actually her "system" wasn't indicating that there was a "dna test in progess" for that "identifying number". 5pm on Wednesday, he didn't have a response but still didn't think much of it because no one explained to him that had his DNA samples actually been submitted - the laboratory would confirm receipt and results due date. The next morning, he received a call from the on-line DNA Service Manager stating that his DNA sample had never been submitted to the DNA testing facility because the independent collection site lost the sample. That's it - story ends here. The sargeant shipped out the next day with no answer, a young woman wonders what happened to the man she thought was the father of her new baby girl and a new baby girl does not have paternity acknowledged so that her Birth Certificate will have to be amended some time in the future and more importantly the new baby girl is not eligible for any of the alleged father's military benefits.
With the advances in technology, DNA tests can actually be completed within 24 hours - did anyone offer this alternative to the Sargeant. Probably no, because they didn't know his circumstances - their focus was on finding some independent DNA collector. The new mother phoned the DNA Lady and explained this situation. The story will end on a happy note as the new young mother, the new baby girl and the alleged father - will get collected. The alleged father (On his honor) will have to now collect himself and ship the buccal swabs back to the DNA Lady. He trusts that the DNA Lady will collect the new mom and baby girl again and submit his samples along with their samples in a secure and timely manner to the laboratory - although not considered chain of custody for the court's purposes. but at least, this one soldier will know before the new year starts - if he is a new dad or not - and by extention this new baby girl will have a whole new extended family to celebrate the holidays without any lingering doubts. The DNA Lady is a local, family owned DNA testing facility in New Jersey with the ability to collect DNA across the United States and in 160 foreign countries. The new young mom happened to see one of the DNA Lady's business cards in her doctors office and thought the DNA Lady could intervene on their behalf and give them answers.
While the Sargeant had the right thing in mind, unfortunately, not working with a family owned DNA collection facility left him in the lurch. The independent "DNA Expert" is long gone with no explanation and no accountability - she gets paid a collector's fee irrespective of what heppens with the samples. She probably has no idea of the ramifications of her irresponsible actions.
The moral of the story is - for some things - you need that personal touch. go to someone who is going to answer the phone, know you by name and case (not by a number), someone and someplace that you can return to for answers and direction. The DNA Lady is a local, family owned business offering private and court admissible DNA tests to confirm biological relationships - Paternity, Maternity, Grand Paternity, Siblingship and Avuncular. Wtih something as important as fatherhood at stake, wouldn't you want to be able to talk to one person about your case - not a host of independent call center operators? DNA is a personal subject and the DNA Lady has talked to thousands of families all with unique circumstances - this is not the stuff of Maury Povich - this is real life, with men and women who are very serious about their responsibilties toward a new child. The DNA Lady is trained in handling each case with compassion and respect and urgency when necessary. (*** and offers discounts to all healthcare workers, military personnel, full time students - all with proper ID****) Trust in your local, main street businesses - they are going to be there for you.
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