The Death of Customer Service...

[BunnyHardaway]

Re: The Death of Customer Service...

Nah, he dug his heels in pretty hard even after the initial replies. I do like that it turned around into people posting good customer service stories too though.

I've been thinking about examples of good customer service ever since I stumbled upon this.

Had another one that just popped into my head. 2 years ago I bought a ticket to Game 2 of the Orioles/Tigers ALDS from a third party site. I've done it countless times without issue.

When I print the ticket, it has Game 1 listed...not really a big deal as I had off of work that day as well, so I figured it was just a mixup and the ticket was still good. The day of the game comes, and I try going through the gate and the guy's scanner keeps bugging out every time he scans my ticket. I go over to the box office, who explain the ticket was a duplicate and the owner of the "real" one was already in Camden Yards. 15 minutes of panic ensues before I was lucky enough to get a spare club level ticket from the box office. O's win 12-3 and I got to see it, which was fine with me.

I contacted the site from which I bought my initial ticket to see if I could be refunded, and they got back to me the next business day. They explained that there was an error in their program that caused some tickets to be listed as still available despite being purchased, and that I would receive a 150% refund. I figured that was just a typo and was happy regardless, but lo and behold they actually gave me a 150% refund within 2-3 days.

VividSeats FTW.

[woodjer]

Re: The Death of Customer Service...

Yeah, we'll just agree to disagree. I know what you're saying and I know people like that, but I personally don't carry over any negative impressions from one rep to the other.

My last real customer service experience (where I needed repeated attention) was trying to nail down a six-month-long intermittent noise issue that killed my internet multiple times every single day. I had to go through a lot of Comcast people before resolving it (needed someone to be checking at one of the moments it dropped because the signal read fine otherwise) and while I was frustrated at the situation, the rep didn't get any of that from me. I knew that for all they knew it was my first time having a problem and I went into it with that in mind.

Going through so many "let's try restarting the modem" attempts had me screaming at home though, haha.

I agree with the overall point of being respectful on both sides.

Just to be clear, I try not to carry over impressions from one rep to another, too. My problem is that each bad experience makes the fuse a little shorter for the next call, regardless of who I talk to. In the last couple years, I've been pretty good though. I think each person SHOULD be treated as a separate individual but I just struggle with that and I know I'm not the only one. What I've found really helps me is greeting that person by name, trying to remember their name to the end of the call, and thanking them by name. It's a stupid little thing but I feel it keeps me grounded a little better.

Speaking of good customer service in addressing a bad issue:
Took the family out to Friday's for dinner a while back. Terrible service and the only time in my life that I've asked to speak to a manager in a restaurant. She comes over and I told her about our experience. She comped what food we did get (never did receive my wife's food) and offers to box up the kids' food because she could see the frustration nearly had my wife in tears. When she brings the boxes back, she asks for my email address to see if she can do anything to encourage us to come back. Two days later, I get a couple emails each worth roughly what our bill would have been. So, while I wouldn't want the experience again, we ended up with what food we did get from the first trip and what amounted to 2 more free family meals. I was expecting like a $10 off coupon or something but this was MUCH more! I only wanted to relay the bad experience and ensure that we wouldn't pay for what we did get. Never asked for more but was pleasantly surprised.

[AC]

Re: The Death of Customer Service...

My first ever job was as a grocery store cashier + bagger in a neighborhood filled with Let Me Talk to the Supervisor Moms. I worked there for, like, at most 4 months.

For the rest of my mortal life I will never ever be anything less than excessively nice to retail workers

[dickey1331]

Re: The Death of Customer Service...

I had terrible service at IHOP once. I know IHOP isn't known for great service but this was terrible. Anyway I filled out one of those online surveys about my experience and the store owner ended up emailing me and gave me a $30 gift card. I was pretty impressed.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[BurghFan]

Re: The Death of Customer Service...

Seems like this whole thing could've been avoided if ODogg had waited until he was sure the phone was unlocked to sell it instead of selling it before getting it unlocked.

[PhilliesFan13]

Re: The Death of Customer Service...

I had the most amazing customer service of my entire life at a TGI Friday's a few months ago. The waiter was absolutely incredible. His name was Corey. Best waiter I have ever had and I told him so. He was so attentive to everything. My wife and I didn't need to ask for anything the entire time. He refilled drinks when they were low, brought extra napkins, made sure my kid's food came out first, was polite as hell, etc. Everything about that guy was first class 100%. We didn't even need to ask for to-go boxes. Brought them out with the check.

After our meal, I asked the host to speak to the manager and I told him how wonderful Corey was with every single thing and that he was the best waiter I have ever had. I then went back to Corey and told him the same and that he is a good person and handed him a $20 tip.

Sadly, I found out a few weeks ago that he isn't working there anymore. Hopefully, he found a really good job and is being successful at that as well.

Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk

[NDAlum]

Re: The Death of Customer Service...

The turnover rate in restaurants is really high so that's no shock.

I always try to make small talk with those in customer service because I'm somewhat in the category as well. I'll ask them how long they have left in the shift and if they have any crazy stories about customers who were a pain. Any time there is an issue with something I never demand or direct my frustration at that particular person. I even make sure to tell them I understand it's not their fault but I would like to have the issue remedied.

I just like to change it up from the "How are you? good. You? Good."

It also just helps with social skills and interacting with all different walks of life.

Try it out

[DieHardYankee26]

Re: The Death of Customer Service...

My first ever job was as a grocery store cashier + bagger in a neighborhood filled with Let Me Talk to the Supervisor Moms. I worked there for, like, at most 4 months.

For the rest of my mortal life I will never ever be anything less than excessively nice to retail workers

Dude I'm the same, worked at a Home Depot as a cashier for 6 months as a teenager and I'll never disrespect someone in that position. You just really understand their position. It's funny to see people get mad at people for NOT doing what isn't their job. In this case, the person who tried to fix the issue had to go in and remove the ticket, maybe it's not their responsibility to create new ones, and while it may seem stupid, the issue of stupidity falls at the hands of those who makes the rules, not the people who follow them.

It's just frustrating, like when a customer would get upset at an item ringing up at the wrong price. You think the guy making 8.00 an hour, who the only thing in the store they work at can afford is the nails and maybe a snack, gives a damn about whether or not you get $25 off a leafblower? Customers are weird.

[mike24forever]

Re: The Death of Customer Service...

The Tim Horton's that I VISIT EVERY MORNING, has the best customer service ever. They know my order before I get to the order window. They write my name and my wife's name on the top of the cup, they all ask about my daughter and go nuts when she's in the truck with me and my wife. They bought baby clothes for my daughter when she was born. They are extremely nice and I make sure to get them a nice gift for the staff every Christmas.

I worked retail from high school right through to teachers college and I've seen damn near everything good and bad, right down to a guy tugging his little friend in the dirty book section at Coles book store. That's a story for another day. That being said, I'm kind to those who work customer service and tip servers at least 20%.

[Boltman]

Re: The Death of Customer Service...

Solid thread 9.5 / 10

Would read again.

[ProfessaPackMan]

Re: The Death of Customer Service...

Worked at the Commissary on a Military Base for 3 years where we only got paid off Tips, worked at DTLR for a year, worked Drive Thru at Burger King and worked at Sears, selling Refrigerators for 3 years, seeing the experiences that I went thru there, made me appreciate and realize how hard it is, in regards to dealing with customers.

Whenever I go to a store or out to eat, I'm ALWAYS courteous, patient and respectful to the people working there and if there's an issue or something wrong, I never take my frustration out on them. As long as it's taken care, that's all that matters to me.

[dickey1331]

Re: The Death of Customer Service...

Worked at the Commissary on a Military Base for 3 years where we only got paid off Tips, worked at DTLR for a year, worked Drive Thru at Burger King and worked at Sears, selling Refrigerators for 3 years, seeing the experiences that I went thru there, made me appreciate and realize how hard it is, in regards to dealing with customers.



Whenever I go to a store or out to eat, I'm ALWAYS courteous, patient and respectful to the people working there and if there's an issue or something wrong, I never take my frustration out on them. As long as it's taken care, that's all that matters to me.

I couldn't imagine working at the Commissary. I avoid those like the plague.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[dsallupinyaarea]

Re: The Death of Customer Service...

I worked at Gamestop. During holiday season, sometimes I'll walk into a retail store and it's legit triggering. Never again.

Sent from my SM-N900T using Tapatalk

[TheShizNo1]

Re: The Death of Customer Service...

I wish people that worked in these customer service type jobs could afford to go off on people that deserve it.

Sent from my SM-G935P using Tapatalk

[ubernoob]

Re: The Death of Customer Service...

I worked retail from high school right through to teachers college and I've seen damn near everything good and bad, right down to a guy tugging his little friend in the dirty book section at Coles book store.

and this is why I'm not allowed in Canada anymore.