Abstract: In a customer service system and method, a customer of a household appliance has a personal service representative who is a main contact for the customer. The customer has access to at least part of a customer master data file that contains information related to the customer and to the household appliance. The master data file can be accessed through a website that is dedicated to the customer service system. Further, the customer can receive a home visit after the household appliance has been delivered and installed to ensure that the household appliance is properly installed and that the customer knows how to operate the household appliance. The customer service system and method can also include certified delivery and installation and certified service.

Abstract: A punching station that utilizes low cost, interchangeable, linearly operating die sets, and may be disposed in line with a printer to punch individual sheets as they proceed through the printer. Sheets exiting a printer or other machine are rapidly accelerated along a circuitous path in the punching station, and then into position between the die plates of a linearly actuated die. The sheet is stopped and punched, and then rapidly accelerated out of the punch to exit the punching station. Each sheet is accelerated to a speed that is typically greater than the speed of the sheet as it exits the printer. Die sets having different pin sizes and configurations are interchangeable within the punching station in order to permit rapid die changes, and the die pins are preferably made of powdered metal to yield low cost die sets.