A not so perfect mom sharing ways to make life simpler. Find product reviews and giveaways, money saving tips, recipes and more.
Since my kids were little I taught my kids manners. Always say please and thank you, respect everyone, make sure you are always polite. No exceptions. That is what my Grandmother taught me. I guess it is working because I always get compliments about how well mannered my children are.
When I was in high school and got my first job I learned how to give great customer service. And this was years ago, but it has still stuck with me.
It has become second nature to me and I can not help but wonder if customer service is still being taught by companies. While taking my kids school shopping we are experiencing different levels of customer service. And it is not always good. This is not only disappointing but unacceptable. I am spending my hard earned money at your place of business, is it too much to ask for a little bit of courtesy? If you are not willing to do that why should I spend my money there instead of somewhere else. Over the past 2 weeks on at least 2 seperate ocassions my family has been given poor customer service.
I took my kids to the bank to open up bank accounts. After the process was over I asked “When are you going to explain about the kids club and how it works. Plus the two youngest were looking forward to the free t-shirts there were supposed to get for opening up their first account. The young lady had no idea what I was talking about. She wasn’t rude about it but she was not very nice either. I decided to drive to the corporate office of the bank, maybe they had some answers. My husband and I have been with the same bank over 15 years. Unfortunately the staff was very rude. The three tellers were having a conversation about going out and I had to patiently wait until they finished before they acknowledged me. When I explained my concerns, they shrugged their shoulders and pointed me towards some doors where a receptionist sat. The kids and I walked over there and explained the Kid’s Club situation again. She actually said “What am I supposed to do?’ My reply was ” Hopefully direct me to the person who can handle my concerns”. She stood up, walked over to the doors and yelled at the tellers (who were still talking), “What do you want me to do with them?”. I have never dealt with so many people who were so unprofessional and completely lost. Especially at a bank.
Jazz went to do some of her school shopping at a certain store she really likes. (Yes she is doing her own school shopping with money she made from her job!) The cashier was rude, she snatched Jazz’s gift card out of her hand, she swiped it before Jazz could even explain how she was going to pay for her purchase. Because of this, Jazz decided she did not want to get anything at the store. The cashier told her well you are just out of luck, I already charged the gift card. Did I mention she yelled at Jazz. Nannah was with and she was steaming when they got back home. Jazz could not understand why this cashier had an attitude. She likes shopping at this store but knows she does not deserve to be treated this way. Of course I called the store and spoke with a manager. Her explanation was the cashier was “new” but they do value their customers. The money will be back on Jazz’s card within 3 days. I am sorry, but what does being new have to do with being polite? What is even worse is the kids had to describe the cashier to me because she did not wear a name tag. Every job I worked we always had to have a name tag on.
Ok thanks for listening to me vent, I just had to get it out!
Now don’t get me wrong not all companies are like this. There are some companies that give wonderful customer service.
Related posts:
Twitter: OutnumberedMama
says:
Bad customer service is the worst! I’m just a bit bitchy by nature, so I get a lil pissy and tell them how it is or how it should be. People learn to treat their job as that, a JOB. Yes, maybe you don’t want to be there, but you chose to. Don’t make other people suffer because of it. Everyone deserves respect!
It really gets on my nerves too. I have just had it this week. That is my biggest thing too, respect. I always thought the number one thing you get taught is how to treat customers if your job involves interaction with them.
Kudos on this post I have been teaching customer service for over 20 years. I learned my core customer service skills growing up and yet I can assure you that not everyone learned those skills. Companies have overlooked those skills as well in the last 10 years yet now the leadership is realizing the impact.
There are movements in the customer service industry to re-ignite these skills. Why? Social Media. Now that customers are taking to Twitter and Facebook to make their complaints known, top levels of leadership see it as a potential PR nightmare and are putting funds/time/people to address it.
Sad that it still takes “reaction” to dissatisfied customers to get their attention. Here is a post that supports yours. Hope you like it! Info and fun video included.
———–
http://katenasser.com/best-csr-adapts-to-personality-type-for-a-customer-service/
Love your post. I will RT it on Twitter!
Kate Nasser
Thanks so much Kate. I appreciate it. I was wondering if companies would start paying more attention to customer service since it is so much easier for customers to share their compliments and complaints.
Twitter: psychotichouse
says:
It’s been frustrating me too, as of late. I’ve been walking out stores telling my DH that if I was their manager, they would have all been fired! I would never allow my employees to behave the way so many are lately. I feel so bad for Jazz having that woman treat her that way!
I do realize times are tough, but you leave all that behind once you walk into your place of work or business.
I have had the same conversations with my husband and a good friend of mine. There have even been times when I have went out my way to speak to a manager to point out how unhappy I was with what I was seeing. I can defnitely tell when they are not really listening and nothing is going to change. The least they can do is fake it!
Gosh, stories like these make me so sad. It’s a shame to see how many parents are doing a disservice to their kids by not teaching them manners. At the same time, it reminds me of a time when I was a grocery store cashier. Being the non-confrontational and always polite employee, I once had an angry customer throw a canned corn at me … and you know what, as much as I wanted to throw it back, I just smiled and waved over security.
Oh my goodness, canned corn? That is ridiculous. I believe if you teach and encourage manners, it will spill over into all parts of your life. My 16 has been told she is so nice and polite at work quite a few times. (Even when she is off the clock).