Computer Help????

I just spent the better part of an hour on the phone with (unpronouncable) trying to get help for a friend's Linsys USB thingy.  I'm no xenophobe, but if I can't understand them, how can they help? The accent was too thick to wade through.   The time I spent repeatedly saying "I'm sorry, but I can't understand you," could have been spent helping other people.

In the end he was as exasperated with me as I was with him, but he still had to rattle off scripted drivel.  Even had to ask me to rate his service.  What was I going to say, "You suck!???"

Of course I gave him a 5.  But in all honesty outsourcing isn't the way to go.  

Salvo Auto

I can't believe that the cliche is true, but I just saw it.  A clerk who can barely enunciate words is able to multitask.  I went in to return the product that was erroneously recommended (at least I thought that's what the cretin behind the counter grunted at me).  While on the phone, another cretin grunted at me, but I wasn't sure.  He was mumbling into the phone the entire time I stood in front of him as he conducted the transaction.

Don't they train these people in basic customer service?  Is there a manager or just a zoo keeper?  Maybe if the stores paid more than minimum wage or provided an incentive program, employees would make an effort and customers will return.

 I won't go back.  I'll drive several miles out of my way, assuming my car is running after I put the wrong stuff in the wrong place. 

It's Always on Sale

Even if you paid full- or first sale price, you can usually get the lower price offered later on if you take in your receipt and ask for the adjustment. Most chains will be happy to oblige as long as your purchase was within a reasonable amount of time.  Usually the return window.

For example, I bought a pair of pants from a national chain from their on-line site.  I went into the local brick an mortar a week later and saw that they had been reduced.  I asked for the reduction and the clerk cheerfully obliged by crediting my card.

The lesson here; carry your recent receipts with you just in case you see one of your item reduced.  It couldn't hurt!

Happy Shopping

Welcome, All You Frustrated Shoppers

Greetings for the new year and wishes for satisfying shopping experiences.  As a professional shopper I have encountered all manner of frustrating, infuriating customer service and major retail corporate policy.  I want to share my experiences with you all and help you find a way to tell the offending companies that you are not happy.  Sometimes I can even tell you how I found my way around the problem.

In many cases, the trouble is isolated to one or two bad employees.  Then there the idiotic corporate drones with no imagination who don't care about your particular problem.  Or it's just one location of a chain store with a lackadaisical manager and slovenly employees.

Here are some offenses (in no particular order) that get me nuts:

• Gum chewing (cracking) by cashiers, especially if you have a lot of items
• Sending you off (anywhere) when you ask for a particular item, just to get you out of their hair. 
• One open cash register out of 10 closed lanes with a line to the back of the store
• Not being acknowledged when I approach a customer service desk.  It wouldn't hurt to nod in my direction, even if you are on the phone with your best friend.
• Only one of the double doors open so that invariably I try to go through the wrong one and get stopped short.  If you have two doors, keep them both open.

There will be solutions and tips to make your shopping forays more pleasant, economical and time efficient.

I know I'm not alone.  If you have an experience that may amaze, amuse or awe the rest of us, I'd love to know about it.

Let the ranting begin!!!