Ever receive bad customer service? If so, how did you handle it?

Question

Ever encounter the rude cashier, checker or floor person? Ever want to just rare back and 'cold-cock' them or call them a "bytch" or a "bastard?" When was the last time you encountered bad customer service and what did you do about it?

Answer 1

The last time it happened, I spoke to the person in a way to involve them in the problem. I said something like "I can tell you're not really interested in this and I know it's not your problem but you are the only person who can help me right now and it's going to make us both feel better if we can find a positive solution." The person didn't turn 180 degrees but her attitude did change for the better and I got more than I would have if I just accepted it.

If it's a situation at a doctor's office or something like that I sometimes will play dumb a little and make jokes at myself that I think they're thinking anyway. (Like "why is this person coming here without a referral" and I'll say "I'm sure I'm like the 100th person today who has been stupid enough to walk in here without a referral... I'm sorry I'm causing you more work...")

If it's relating to food service, I've been known to ask the person "is there something I'm holding you up from doing?" and they usually get the picture that their attitude isn't helping.

If it's computer related service, they are screwed. That's what I do for a living and if I don't get good customer service, they are not happy at the end of it. I try to get them to play along at first but if their bad service is showing them to be incompetent, it's an ugly sight. :)

Answer 2

I used to start an argument with the person giving the bad service. Then, after it had escalated beyond all redemption, I'd demand to see the manager and start arguing all over again. That didn't do much good and it made me look like a jackass in front of the other customers.

Now, I'll try to be good natured about it whatever the problem is, and nudge the employee along. If that doesn't work, I'll say something like, "I see you and I won't be able to resolve this. Would you please get your supervisor?"

Sometimes, that puts the clerk in a more cooperative mood and everything gets worked out. Sometimes, the clerk gets a manager.

Generally, the higher up you go, the more the supervisor has riding on a satisfactory outcome. For example, a minimum-wage clerk may not give a damn whether you're happy or not, but a store manager whose income is based on sales wants you to come back -- and bring your friends with you. The more someone has riding on a company's success, the more customer-friendly they'll be.

Answer 3

Whenever I come across bad customer service, I do two things,
a) report them to their manager on the spot, and/or b) get their names and write a letter to corporate.

I once went to a drugstore and they made me wait for an hour and a half, despite their claims and promises on TV that they make pharmacy a 'more human experience' and their pharmacists go out of their way for you, and there I was sick, with ten other sick people waiting in line and their staff were going at it at the speed of a turtle (when they had about a staff of 4 inside the booth). To make matters worse, after all that waiting, they gave me the wrong prescription, and I was almost out of the store when I noticed it and when I told the pharmacist, she hastily grabbed it from me and gave me the right one. I was very angry and so I called the corporate office and never went back there again. Apparently, they gave the head pharmacist a warning because he called me to apologize.

Answer 4

Being the obnoxious sort I will usually let the person know I don't appreciate their uselessness. Then I let the manager know and if I am not satisfied with the response I will let the corp headquarters or franchise owner know.

Then I never go back. Not a big deal if you are buying a burger but I did the above at a car dealer. Picked up the 40K I had on the table and left. They kissed my a** for months before they gave up.

Answer 5

I was checking out wedding reception locations and this lady would ask me what I wanted and when I told her she would wrinkle her nose and say, "oh, you don't want that." This happened throughout the entire tour. I wanted to say, "oh, you don't want my business." but my mother would have cold-****** me for being rude. When we went to their other property across town I spoke with the manager and told her what went on at the first place and how I was definitely not going to use them. I got a call the next day from the rude woman and she was falling all over herself with apologies. She then had the nerve to ask me if I had booked her place or not. I told her no, that I had found a place for less money, better services and a coordinator who loved my ideas. Thanked her for her time and hung up.

Answer 6

Yes, I have encountered bad CS in person and over the phone.....I always ask to talk to the manager or if it's the manager I'm dealing with that is treating me poorly....then I ask to talk to the owner. I work with the public and you need to greet your customer with a smile....and if you are doing business over the phone, then the customer should hear a smile in your voice. If you don't like your job...then get out! If you don't like dealing with people....then get out! You're attitude has an effect on others...so always keep that in mind.

I put the CS rep that is treating me poorly on the spot.....I might say to them "Don't you like your job?" or "It certainly is evident that you don't enjoy your work".....or "I'm sorry I've bother you!" That will get them every time.

I'm sorry....but there is NO excuse for POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE! You should not be in any line of work that involves CUSTOMER SERVICE if you don't enjoy working or talking with people.

Answer 7

Bad customer service is rampant nowadays. The customer is always right is no longer the norm.

Take it to the store manager instead of a clerk. State the problem in a calm and simple manner and ask for his assistance.'

Answer 8

Just this past Saturday night checking out at the super market, I had a very rude cashier. She acted like I was bothering her. I just looked at her name tag, remembered the name, came home, got on their web site and reported it. The manager called me the next day and he is sending me a gift certificate. He told me that they have mestery shoppers and if I had been one they would have failed. No one needs to put up with bad service.

Answer 9

well i called in to customer service one time to complain about not recieving my rebate for my internet modem. i had given ample time, and the online status said that they hadn't even recieved my mailer for it yet. so i called in. tim was like, "did you make a photocopy of it" and i said no. it says right on the website that photocopies or reproductions were unacceptable anyway.

tim proceeds to tell me that i should have made a photo copy, and i have no proof that i ever had the equipment to begin with. i said "yes i do have proof! it's sitting right here on my desk and i get service from you people, how would i get service if i didn't have this modem?" he continued to lecture me on how i should have made a photo copy, and that sending in the packaging slips would not help.

i hung up on tim. if i wanted to be lectured, i would still live with my parents.

i called right back and spoke with allen. allen said i didn't have to send anything, just give him the serial number off of my modem. that easy. i gave it to him, and he apologized, and said i should have a check in 2-3 weeks. now i just have to wait and see if it works!!

i work in a customer call center. if i would have spoken to a customer like tim was speaking to me, and i would have been being monitered, i would have been fired.

there is no excuse for bad customer service. if customers annoy you, find another job!!!

Answer 10

I've never had something as bad as that, but I once went to a KFC, and they were out of chicken.