Life The Decline of Customer Service - Page 2

CaliforniaChief · 01-22-2015, 11:22 AM

Either I'm on a cold streak, or customer service is generally taking a universal dump.

Lately, whether dealing with shipping issues, follow-up, repairs, or just general phone service, it's hard to find satisfaction in this area.

It really is an opportunity for companies to excel at this and draw great interest, but it's pretty rare. What are some companies that still provide outstanding customer support?

In 'N Out and Chick-Fil-A come to mind for food.
MacService has been great for me.

Where do you still get excellent service?

CaliforniaChief · 01-22-2015, 11:37 AM

I try to go with small businesses, but sometimes its unavoidable with major ticket items.

It seems like companies now spend 95% of their resources reaching new customers and 5% retaining them. Frustrating.

**Rausch** · 01-22-2015, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

It seems like companies now spend 95% of their resources reaching new customers and 5% retaining them. Frustrating.

Sounds about right.

So, after 5 years of operation this business model makes no sense unless you're ****ing Microsoft...

ThaVirus · 01-22-2015, 12:04 PM

Chick-Fil-A is the best that I deal with on anything more frequent than an every-once-in-a-while basis.

BWillie · 01-22-2015, 12:09 PM

It seems to me that customer service has gotten a little bit better in the last decade, actually. To me, I think that is because of social media and that fact that it's so easy for a customer to publicly voice their concerns and bad experiences on facebook, twitter etc. Ten years ago, no company gave any ****s about anything. Then they started to get scared because people could find out how big of shitballs they really were from online reviews, facebook rant posts, etc.

BWillie · 01-22-2015, 12:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThaVirus

Chick-Fil-A is the best that I deal with on anything more frequent than an every-once-in-a-while basis.

You see its proof. That if you hate gays, religious, and not open minded that you are happier and more productive.

Al Bundy · 01-22-2015, 12:22 PM

I won't mention where I work but we have great customer service, even when it is user/customer error (which is about 85% of the time). We always provide it with a smile even when the customer is lying.

ReynardMuldrake · 01-22-2015, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Detoxing

Fry's Electronics will always stand out in my mind.

I remember when i was 18 and me and my friend decided to build me my first computer.

I fried, and returned, 3 different motherboards all in the same day before i realized i needed spacers between the board and the case....

I've done that before. It's not obvious if you've never built a computer before. In my experience it doesn't fry the board, but the lack of ground means it won't turn on at all.

JakeLV · 01-22-2015, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliforniaChief

Either I'm on a cold streak, or customer service is generally taking a universal dump.

Lately, whether dealing with shipping issues, follow-up, repairs, or just general phone service, it's hard to find satisfaction in this area.

It really is an opportunity for companies to excel at this and draw great interest, but it's pretty rare. What are some companies that still provide outstanding customer support?

In 'N Out and Chick-Fil-A come to mind for food.
MacService has been great for me.

Where do you still get excellent service?

If employees are compensated well, as they are at In'N Out, then you get friendly employees.

If you pay them dirt, you get dirt.

To me, customer service represents the quality of the company.

ROYC75 · 01-22-2015, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Detoxing

DirecTV is the only major company that comes to mind when i think of good customer service.

There's a lot of parts manufactures that i work with that have outstanding customer service & Support.

Summit Racing has fantastic customer service (I work with their wholesale division, but their procedures still apply to retail customers). IDIDIT....Steering column retailer/Manufacture, they always stand out in my mind.....Big-ish company with a real mom & pop feel to it.

To each, his own!

DTV has been horrible for us for the last 10 yrs.

AT & T is just as bad!

Chiefs316 · 01-22-2015, 12:33 PM

Quick Trip is great and has been for a long time. When I have to use a different gas station while traveling I always seem to sigh pulling into a non Quick Trip.

**Bugeater** · 01-22-2015, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROYC75

To each, his own!

DTV has been horrible for us for the last 10 yrs.

AT & T is just as bad!

Yeah, DirecTv is who comes to mind when I'm thinking about the worst.

Ace Hardware, CenturyLink and my local bike shop are among the best I deal with.

Just Passin' By · 01-22-2015, 12:37 PM

Several months back (it may even be more than a year by now), my mother's coffee maker crapped out on her. Since she likes her coffee freshly ground, she needed to get another grind-and-brew type of machine. She didn't want to just get the same one she'd had, since she'd gone through several of them in a short period of time.

I told her about my experiences with Breville products, and about the good reviews for Breville's Grind-and-Brew machine. On my recommendation, she eventually decided to get that machine. Naturally, it crapped out, and it was outside the warranty window.

I called Breville, explained what had happened with the machine (likely a sensor issue, but something that he hadn't heard about happening before), and they told me to ship it back to them for a replacement, even though the warranty had recently expired. The CSA was polite the entire time, seemed to take a legitimate interest, and didn't bat an eye at the sensor issue.

I brought the defective machine to FedEx. It was shipped back on Breville's dime, and the timely arriving replacement was also shipped on Breville's dime.

It may have been because my issue was one they hadn't had before, but the service was excellent from beginning to end.

ToxSocks · 01-22-2015, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROYC75

To each, his own!

DTV has been horrible for us for the last 10 yrs.

AT & T is just as bad!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Baconeater

Yeah, DirecTv is who comes to mind when I'm thinking about the worst.

Ace Hardware, CenturyLink and my local bike shop are among the best I deal with.

My worst experiences have come from Cox Cable. They never fail to disappoint. I'm simply in awe of how ****ing horrible they are.

**Bugeater** · 01-22-2015, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chiefs316

Quick Trip is great and has been for a long time. When I have to use a different gas station while traveling I always seem to sigh pulling into a non Quick Trip.

Heh, same here, I'm always on the lookout for QTs when I'm on the road.

Pitt Gorilla · 01-22-2015, 12:39 PM

HyVee has outstanding customer service.

01-22-2015, 11:22 AM
CaliforniaChief #RIPAce Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Casino cash: $12312899	The Decline of Customer Service Either I'm on a cold streak, or customer service is generally taking a universal dump. Lately, whether dealing with shipping issues, follow-up, repairs, or just general phone service, it's hard to find satisfaction in this area. It really is an opportunity for companies to excel at this and draw great interest, but it's pretty rare. What are some companies that still provide outstanding customer support? In 'N Out and Chick-Fil-A come to mind for food. MacService has been great for me. Where do you still get excellent service?
Posts: 17,326

01-22-2015, 11:37 AM	#16
CaliforniaChief #RIPAce Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: So Cal Casino cash: $12312899	I try to go with small businesses, but sometimes its unavoidable with major ticket items. It seems like companies now spend 95% of their resources reaching new customers and 5% retaining them. Frustrating.
Posts: 17,326

01-22-2015, 12:04 PM	#18
ThaVirus You gotta kill a few people Join Date: Sep 2007 Casino cash: $1762369	Chick-Fil-A is the best that I deal with on anything more frequent than an every-once-in-a-while basis.
Posts: 44,471

01-22-2015, 12:09 PM	#19
BWillie El Gato Gordo Loco Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Earth Casino cash: $2111241	It seems to me that customer service has gotten a little bit better in the last decade, actually. To me, I think that is because of social media and that fact that it's so easy for a customer to publicly voice their concerns and bad experiences on facebook, twitter etc. Ten years ago, no company gave any **s about anything. Then they started to get scared because people could find out how big of shitballs they really were from online reviews, facebook rant posts, etc. __________________ Who wants free money? Use the link below to sign up at Bovada, BetOnline, Black Chip Poker and Ignition. Contact me for private deals, spot bonuses, possible rakeback or any questions! Bovada, Ignition, BetOnline, Black Chip Poker: baldeaglepoker.com Bovada Poker is back! Get up to $500 poker deposit bonus.**
Posts: 46,347

01-22-2015, 12:22 PM	#21
Al Bundy Damnit Peg Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Overland Park Casino cash: $5271831	I won't mention where I work but we have great customer service, even when it is user/customer error (which is about 85% of the time). We always provide it with a smile even when the customer is lying.
Posts: 23,329

01-22-2015, 12:33 PM	#25
Chiefs316 Starter Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Wichita KS Casino cash: $5525737	Quick Trip is great and has been for a long time. When I have to use a different gas station while traveling I always seem to sigh pulling into a non Quick Trip.
Posts: 166

01-22-2015, 12:37 PM	#27
Just Passin' By In Search of a Life Join Date: Feb 2009 Casino cash: $5460524	Several months back (it may even be more than a year by now), my mother's coffee maker crapped out on her. Since she likes her coffee freshly ground, she needed to get another grind-and-brew type of machine. She didn't want to just get the same one she'd had, since she'd gone through several of them in a short period of time. I told her about my experiences with Breville products, and about the good reviews for Breville's Grind-and-Brew machine. On my recommendation, she eventually decided to get that machine. Naturally, it crapped out, and it was outside the warranty window. I called Breville, explained what had happened with the machine (likely a sensor issue, but something that he hadn't heard about happening before), and they told me to ship it back to them for a replacement, even though the warranty had recently expired. The CSA was polite the entire time, seemed to take a legitimate interest, and didn't bat an eye at the sensor issue. I brought the defective machine to FedEx. It was shipped back on Breville's dime, and the timely arriving replacement was also shipped on Breville's dime. It may have been because my issue was one they hadn't had before, but the service was excellent from beginning to end.
Posts: 69,748

01-22-2015, 12:39 PM	#30
Pitt Gorilla Banned! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: NOT Columbia, MO 65201 Casino cash: $2670194	HyVee has outstanding customer service. __________________ Your son is a bench warmer because of your weak genetics not because of the coach Norlin Mommsen is disgusting.
Posts: 46,147