Couple Accidentally Becomes Grill Hotline

Couple Accidentally Becomes Grill Hotline — Gets Honored By Company

September 1, 2025

Today's good news story comes from Okanagan, British Columbia.

When Jim Klassen and Mirjana Komljenovic’s phone started ringing off the hook earlier this year, they never imagined it would end with them being celebrated by one of North America’s top grill companies.

It all began in January, when strangers started calling their Summerland home asking for help with Napoleon grills. At first, the couple was baffled — until they discovered their number had been mistakenly listed online as the company’s customer service line.

Instead of changing their number or brushing callers off, Jim and Mirjana leaned in.

“You didn’t hang up — you actually talked to him,” Mirjana laughed, recalling the very first call. “Without knowing it, he started becoming a customer rep.”

That first mix-up turned into hundreds of calls over the next several months. Some came as early as 4:30 a.m., others late at night. From troubleshooting grill issues to pointing customers toward local dealers — and even answering curious questions about life in the Okanagan — the couple kept picking up the phone.

“We really enjoyed it… People were asking us questions about the Okanagan, how much we paid for house taxes, all sorts of questions — so we just answered. Some of them became friends,” Mirjana said. “It was second nature to help out.”

Word eventually reached Napoleon about the unlikely “hotline.” Instead of just fixing the listings, the company decided to show their gratitude.

“Jim and Mirjana took it upon themselves to answer some questions as they are Napoleon grill owners, and redirect people to the right phone numbers. We didn’t ask them to do this, but they jumped right in and did it anyway,” said Garry Scott, Napoleon’s VP of Marketing.

As a thank-you, the company gifted the couple a $3,000 grill and named them Honorary Customer Service Ambassadors.