Whatever happened to good customer service?

Question

I mean, seriously. You ask a grocery store clerk for a pack of cigarettes, and she looks at you like you're an inconvenience.

You ask the lady at McDonald's for a package of ketchup, and she looks like she would rather wipe her rear end with sand paper than to accomodate your request...

You call one of many "customer service" lines to get help, and they put you on hold to talk to a recording for half an hour.

I would fire someone for acting like that at my company, but most of these employers don't seem to care! Why?

Answer 1

It's not the money that's missing. It's pride.

For some years, now, we've been teaching kids that they are the center of the Universe, and that manners are too old fashioned to be bothered with.

This is what we get.

Answer 2

I think there is some truth that, being paid only minimum wage, there is little incentive to go above & beyond what is expected, unless management steps up & does something to reward employees for good service. I used to work with someone who wasn't a "people person." She did most of her job duties very well, but if a customer was in her way, she was pretty rude to them. Some people just hate their jobs, I think. They may be in a position where they get the same questions a lot and are tired of answering them, so some innocent, unlucky soul gets treated like a dummy for asking the question yet again.

Is this behavior right? I don't think so. However, they are reasons why a person might get (or give) poor service.

Answer 3

i dont think the companies are aware alot of this is going on. I use work for a company -cant really say who- and worked on customer services and some of my collegues were so nasty to people who called in with a problem. I have also worked in a sales office and seen the difference in the way people are treated. When someone is trying to sell something to someone they treat them very well but as soon as the product or service is sold nobody seems to want to know about it if the cust has a problem. I know what you mean about Mc Donalds, i asked for an extra sachet once and was told i could only have two sachets as i only had two meals! Ended up asking to speak to the manager who said that it was company policy, one sachet per meal and would nt give me another! I havent eaten there since!

Answer 4

They are trying to please everyone, which isn't possible. Their boss wants them to get the line of customers taken care of as quick as possible. They shouldn't be rude, but they also don't have all day for needy customers. A lot of times too, customers take their problems out on them. At my work we get yelled at for all sorts of stuff. So when you have customers yelling at you all day, you can't really be expected to be in a good mood. And the rest of them are right, the money sucks. I am an assistant manager and can't afford to live in an apartment on my own.

Answer 5

I would rather have fast service, than good costumer service. When I go on my lunch break I want to get my food and run. I do not want to stand in line waiting for the slow customer in front of me to order.

Answer 6

You're talking about people with minimum wage jobs. They can't exactly be thrilled with life at that point. Sure, the customer service isn't that great, but what do you really expect from them? People work fast food for a reason.

Answer 7

How much I agree with you. I pay for a product and it seems that once they get my money....the party is over. I look for service more carefully now. I figure they need me...more than I need them. I work to hard for my money just to pee it away.

Answer 8

Well lets see, oh yah outsourcing

Answer 9

MINIMUN WAGE SUCKS these people have no incentive!!