Customer service is really poor
By gurucoach
@gurucoach (132)
April 10, 2008 8:58am CST
What is wrong with companies that have no time to train and instruct staff in customer service practices particularly in a place where it should be at its best. My mother and i went for a day out to a creaft farm in the Uk. The place was lovely had really good quality creafts and lovely gardens. We decided to go into the cafe/restaurant for some lunch and ordered the minestrone soup. It tasted nice but the potatoes and carrots were rock hard. I quietly told the waitress who said ' Oh ok' later she came to collect the bowls and i asked her if she had told anyone about our complaint. She said' I told the chef and he said its been cooking for 3 hours it cannot be hard!'I replied 'he said what' - she repeats it. I asked to speak to the manager , who comes over and says to us' Errm a problem with potatoes!' I explained the 'problem' and she said ' well the soup has been cooking for 3 hours so they cannot be hard' I told her that I was amazed that no one had apologised , no one had taken any interest and that if a customer of mine complained I would want to be sympathetic and try to put it right. Her response was - 'what are you worried about you dont need to pay!'
I was gob smacked - I told her I was happy to pay and really wanted to pass on to her the problem with the soup, and that I would'nt pay not because of the soup but because of the lack of customer service. She 'fine'. This was all done very quietly with my 80 year old mother and her half left soup. What are your expereinces of poor customer service
2 responses
@cvrmom (181)
• United States
10 Apr 08
You are so right about the lack of good customer service. I take surveys occasionally and I see a question of would you pay more for better customer service? I always put no because I expect, I repeat, expect good customer service any place I go.
We had lousy service at Finleys a couple weeks ago. The food was ok, but the waitress was lousy. I still leave a tip but not would I would with good service.
I often embarrass my 84 year old mother when we are out and I insist on decent service. I did customer service in my lifetime and I did a good job, as expected by the customer.
@gurucoach (132)
•
10 Apr 08
Yes I know its really poor. I was thinking about it as I drove home. Actually it is not just customer service is it - it is really about good manners and being caring and considerate?
If that manager had said ' I am really sorry what can I do to make things better?' - I would have paid for my food, felt listened to and left ok!!
@cvrmom (181)
• United States
10 Apr 08
I think you are right. It is a lack of good manners. I know my 3 children have them and they are in their 30's. I don't want to say it's a "kids today" type thing, but it may be that. For the manager not to have manners is unacceptable. An email to the company headquarters might be an idea.
@gurucoach (132)
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11 Apr 08
yes I thought about that but there are no company headquarters and I think that this has been the point that many responses have made - small companies with few emplyees dont get round to providing customer service - but as we have said it is just good manners
Thanks
@WANDALIE44 (888)
• United States
10 Apr 08
i hear what your saying my problem is when i call a company, like just recently i was trying to pay of an account i have and i had to deal directly with the credit agency that took the account, i had sent them a payment to pay the account off and it took them two months to recieve and process the payment i have never heard of a two month period to process payment so i called and the person who answered after bieng on hold for like 25 minutes, states that if i would have paid my account on time that i would not have this problem after going back and forth trying to explain to her that i did indeed send it on time i asked for a manager or supervisor do u believe this lady ha the nerve to ask my why and that i couldnt speak to 1 becuase they will tell me the same thing, i blew a gasgic told her off and demanded i speak with a manager and i made a report with the main office and with the better business bureau. they have no training at all what so ever and i will not allow them to treat me any way they like, i recieved two letters stating they apologized but im still very upset over that. these companies nee a better plan for customer service no matter what type of business they are...
@gurucoach (132)
•
10 Apr 08
Yes I hear you - it can be incredibly frustaring and painful to deal with companies who want our custom and ignore our concerns and requests.
And on the phone it can be even worse because you cannot see all the reactions and them they can put the phone down on you when you get upset.
I know its no consolation for you - but you got two letters - which is more than most companies send.
I am sorry it still upsets you - we all deserve to be treated with some care and respect and remember to give that same back to those we are in contact with.
Thanks for this response
