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.

• You keep a smile on the your face
• You don’t argue with customers
• You are polite and never, ever rude
• You are always pleasant
• You do not talk about how you do not like your job or should have been off 10 minutes ago
• You do not yell at customers
• You do not hold private conversations with other employees or friends
• You do not ignore customers
• You greet customers
• You do not answer and talk on your cell phone or text

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.