In 1990, Haier set up a computerized service center in Qingdao that allowed it to keep track of tens of thousands of customers. The investment soon paid off, as customers throughout China, accustomed to little or no after-sales service, began to recognize Haier as a new breed of company. Stories of satisfied customers, such as that of taxi driver Hu Xiaoming, were repeated throughout China. Chu called Haier's customer service hotline when his 10 year 0ld Haier refrigerator broke down, not expecting to get much help for an appliance that old. To his surprise, a serviceman showed up on his doorstep the very next day, took the broken fridge back to the factory, lent Chu another one for the interim, and returned two weeks later with the old refrigerator repaired.