Do you think it is possible to get good old fashioned customer service anymore?

Question

...or do we live in the age of global rehearsed, meaningless, corporate patter and bullsh*t?
What is the worst example of meaningless tripe you have been told or heard?

It's funny that onegaishimasu because I tend to hate people who answer questions they have no interest in, if it bothers you that much why read it? Trying going out and getting some friends instead, you clearly need some.

Will all answerers please feel free to give the idiot I addressed in the above edit a thumbs down, since I challenged the idiot he/she has done so to everyone else for no other reason than being a sulky child! At least in thumbs downing this person you are doing so for good reasons, as in giving a really krap and offensive answer and being a brain dead moron!

Answer 1

There are a few in my town I use the local butcher and fruit and veg shop I hate tescos not just for the rude assistants mainly for the rude customers and I always complain.But I also always praise and the other day at morrisons the manager was shocked that I actually found him to compliment him on his tidy store.

Answer 2

I agree with you everything seems so rehearsed and false these days. It would be nice to go back to the customer is always right. I think there are a few of the older stores who do give customer service like Marks & Spencer.

I also hate the sales phonecalls you get where they are reading off the idiot sheets. They can't cope if you throw something at them that's not on the sheet.

Answer 3

I live in the UK, in the south east, and there are a few shops left that give you excellent customer service, but these shops are dying out, and being replaced by shops that sell everything you DON'T need. I find that the people who work in them have little idea of customer service. They will finish their conversation with a colleague before turning their attention to you, and saying listlessly 'Can I help?' So you ask them if they stock something and they usually say 'No' without even bothering to check. I am one of those people who are always writing to shops to complain about the quality of customer service. I worked for six years in customer service and we were taught that you do EVERYTHING you can for EVERY customer, however rude they were, etc. I actually try to avoid shops nowadays because I get so depressed and annoyed by staff attitude.

Answer 4

I`m afraid the personal contact has disappeared in public services. Banks are forced to sell sell and sell even if you only require a balance. You cant see the manager unless you have ££££££££££££ to invest. Window salesmen somehow can knock off thousands when you question the original quote. At the end of the day it is a buyers market and will always be so take your time in purchasing.

Answer 5

Try shopping with small independant family businesses. They know that the only advertising they really can afford is word of mouth. The big boys play at it - have a nice day! - what a load of trite americanism! And the false grins are even worse! As for meaningless tripe, how about - i am clear on this point - or - lessons have been learned ? Gut squeezing rubbish!
Never mind, have a great Christmas - and i really mean that.

Answer 6

I know what you mean. No matter where you go, customer service is at its worst.

Just the other day I was the Gym, I got there at 6:30 pm. There was a class starting at 6:30 I wanted to do, so I just did some weight training. Then at about 6:20 there was a line in front of the arobics door, I asked why everyone was lining up and was told that before you can do the class you have to sign up and get a number. I had never of heard of this before so I went to the front desk and they said it was too late to get in he class, it was full, so I asked the manager why they didnt have a sign when you come in our someone at the front desk saying anything. his response, "we have 44,000 memebers, we can't make everyone happy. If you don't like it, there are other gyms you can go to" He was a total ***. never said sorry, we will put up a notice, nothing.

Answer 7

I too find corporate meatiness and standard scripts and fixed smiles irritating. People are often glad to help and give good service without being servile. it can of course go wrong but ordinary everyday respect for the individual customer in front of you or on the telephone is all we ask for. How or why is that too much for companies to do.

The same applies to printed letters addressing me by my full name or a Christian name I do not use. Surely they can address me fromally.

Answer 8

Well I bought a DVD from W H Smith (Yeovil) yesterday - the girl picked up the case, another member of staff went up to her and told her to go and help out with books, she did not want to - the discussion continued as the first girl got the DVD - the second accused the first of skiving off etc to which the first girl went off with her - but only after dumping the DVD on the counter and walking off - completely ignoring me.

It was left to another embarrassed assistant to complete the sale.

So I would say, you can get customer service - but its rare.

Answer 9

The majority of people nowadays seem very ignorant in bars, shops, restuarants etc. they treat you as if they are doing you a favour by serving you, my answer to this is that I do not tip for bad or indifferent service. It is very refreshing to come across polite helpful staff anywhere, after the initial surprise, these people get treated the same way that they treat you !

Answer 10

There are still some companies whose customer service is very good, but they're getting to be fewer and fewer...

I find today people are generally ignorant and self-centered, and really don't give a crap about anyone else....thats why everything is the way it is...and, its really a shame....