Saturday, May 14, 2011

Everything isn't quiet on the Western front and some comments on customer service

A serious virus hit our computer and we are still recovering. So on another person's laptop for now. Been watching the Mavs and of course loved the sweep of LA, but truthfully LA never really acted like they cared. Made it somewhat of a bittersweet victory. Its great the Mavericks are getting rest, but I wish Oklahoma City had beat Memphis last night because it is now time to start playing again. Have to wait a few extra days and I think that may start to be a hindrance for the Mavs. 

The virus brought up some thoughts about customer service nowadays, especially coming from large corporations. I am sure people are aware, but it is crazy this cookie cutter customer service we get. If your problem doesn't fit their program, well it seems you are out of luck.Call backs are on their schedule, not just service calls, but call backs now. I tried to get them to call me on Saturday, they set up it up for one oclock, and didn't call till one Tuesday. Guess what I was at work and didn't have the phone on and it wouldn't have mattered because I wasn't at the computer. So we tried the next week (now more than a week with issue) for Monday evening so I would be home. Friday late they call and was at a school function with my children. Still no resolved issue. Everytime I call them, it is to call me back at their convienence and then they don't call.

And this isn't just one company, all large corporations set up service to benefit them, not the customer. No matter what the issue is, if you aren't part of their pre programmed way of operating well they don't make the effort to adapt. You have to force them over multiple calls to get them to respond even if it is their product that is the problem. This is crazy, all the data say we are a consumer country nowadays, so most businesses make money off the conusmer, but don't want to make the effort to help. You hear nothing but customer service come from companies, but this is all talk, no action.

I know I said I wouldn't complain, but I am at a bit of a loss here. The only solution I have to resolve the problem is to buy local, specifically made local. Unfortunately that is hard nowadays with most products. So the other solution is to be real choosy about who you give business. You have to research etc, more than just the product, but also the customer service policies of any large purchases. I understand some responsibility should fall on the consumer, but the complete lack of flexibility in some companies is getting ridiculous. There is much more to the story than I mentioned, but I don't want to go on and on. Part of it was being treated like an idiot, not the phone reps fault but the amount of preliminary crap I had to endure I guess by policy She seemed to be
reading. Finally she asked what was the problem and then couldn't help and was not able or not allowed to
do anything more.

I worked hard to not complain about my favorite targets this morning so will quit for now. Been working on the project mentioned in previous posts and hope to someday soon have it posted. The answers to this country's problems are out there and I hope soon to put some ideas on paper so to speak and get some comments.

Go Mavs