OMG! OMG! OMG! What on earth has happened to Customer Service?!!!! Is it just down here in Florida, or God forbid is it everywhere - throughout the nation & even the world now? Wherever this ANTI- Customer Service exists, I have a feeling it's the absolute worst down here. It really is unbelievable. It just can't be any worse anywhere else, it just can't (God forbid).
I KNOW what Customer Service IS. Every job I've ever had has always been in Customer Service. From a newspaper delivery girl (at 12), to a baby-sitter, to Kresge's at 16, to waitressing, to other retail, sales, and management jobs all the way through to my last job in 2000 (at age 40) working for a Catalog company. So you can believe me, when I tell you that what is being practiced down here in South Florida, anyway, is NOT Customer Service. When I was in Customer Service, it was always pressed upon me to anticipate the customers' needs, to be there to serve the customer, that "the customer is always right" (although the "always" I myself, at times, had a difficult time with). We had to work hard for the money we earned.
I would really like to know, what has happened to everyone in Customer Service today? Didn't they grow-up with the same great experience and education as I did? Didn't they take Dale Carnegie's Sales Course (a more customer-oriented course)? Or have they all been "brain-washed" by the likes of seminars such as "Consumer Sales Marketing" - where you're taught to manipulate the customer in needing what you're selling (a more company/self/greed-oriented approach)? What they seem to be practicing down here is more of the latter, a more " let's see who can get the most customers by being the most disrespectful and even abusive" approach. They take your money and think they've got you in their pocket now, and instead of being grateful and showing you their appreciation, by trying to cater to you, we, THE CUSTOMERS are expected to do the jumping through the hoops to cater to THEM - the one receiving the money!! Whatever happened to the days of "wining and dining," and putting yourself in the customer's shoes? Breaking your backs, so-to speak, in efforts to APPRECIATE those who are taking a chance on you and giving you the job? Today it's ALL about ABUSING and neglecting, giving as little as you can to those who've been loyal and supporting you. Why aren't we focusing MORE on KEEPING the business we have (maybe even get more money from them) by giving them MORE vs. TAKING THEM for all they've got, really ( in essence) rewarding their loyalty by giving them LESS.
Customer Service is so extinct down here, and neglect and abuse are so rampant, that unfortunately, it gets to the point, where you end up settling for "the devil you know vs. the devil you don't know." I don't appear to last as long as others do in taking and tolerating this crap (it's just so against my will/nature/experience now) still, I too tolerate more of these bad practices than I should..... to shop around, AGAIN, for a new service, and to find a GOOD one, down here, it really IS like trying to find that needle in a haystack, and so time-consuming, who wants to bother? For me though, "hard right, easy wrong" is still a good incentive.
Thankfully, there are many great resources to help us stand up to this war that's being waged against TRUE, GOOD Customer Service. We have Angie's List, The Better Business Bureau, The Attorneys General Offices, and even Facebook, Twitter and other Social Media outlets as well as news agencies and other media to share our approval and disapproval of those we do business with. We are not alone. Let's stop tolerating bad business practices, let's get THEM to cater to US - the ones paying them. We really DO have the power, as well as the right. Won't you, please, help me win this fight FOR Customer Service, for GOOD Customer Service, for Customer Service as it should be, as we all deserve? We CAN win - TOGETHER.
Businesses/Services I've Experienced With Extremely Poor Customer Service
#1 Comcast - the WORST!
#2- General Plumbing, West Palm Beach, FL
#2 (tied) Fountain Blue Pool Service, Wellington, FL
the following aren't as bad, but still are extremely bad:
All Appliances of PBC, Lake Park, FL
Leticia Murillo Cleaning Service, West Palm Beach, FL.
Waterway Pools, Port Saint Lucie, FL
Shine-a-blind Window Treatments, Boynton Beach, FL
Piper's Alley
Society Today - As it actually is, and "As I See it."
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
On Hiatus Till July 2014
Too much going on planning junior high reunion, taking care of Mom and house, etc. Just won't have time to get back to this till July 2014, after the reunion.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
CarFax Report is a waste of $
I won't bother getting a CarFax report after seeing this report on ABC. Check it out. Another fraudulent business.
http://abcnews.go.com/2020/video/check-carfax-18743237
Wednesday, August 7, 2013
"Wunderbar!" Nothing I Like Better Than a Job Well Done.
OMG! I think I might just die of shock. I actually had a marvelous, prima, "wunderbar" experience today, with a hired hand!!!
Our driveway is practically immaculate! Our (what was once) white fence - spank'n new! Bright white! All the green mold, algae? Gone! Our deck is nice and clean, spider-webs gone.
I am a happy camper today. I am so grateful! A "simply maaaahvelous" job was done! I will be singing this man's praises, till..... who knows when! Thank You, God for this man. (don't know if he'd want me telling his name)
Who is this man? Well, he's an elderly gentleman, probably in his 70's. He's a neighbor, and handy-man that many in our subdivision rely on. What's amazing about him, is he takes his time - he's not out to make $50-$100 per hour. He had knee surgery recently, so he really took his time, with many breaks (which I insisted on) but without any chemicals, he cleaned each & every tile on the driveway and sidewalk, having that greasy dirt and a bit of mold (up by the garage) come up like nothing.
His price? $60!! We gave him more. Plus, he said he'd be here at 9:30, he was here at 9:00.
I mean, can you believe it?!! This is a man with integrity. A man with a great work ethic - a man who's not out to take people, but believes in a doing the best job he can do at a truly fair price. A man, who takes pride in his job. I don't think they make 'em like him anymore. Man, what a breath of fresh air! The other 2 guys who work for our subdivision, they could stand to take a few lessons from him, especially the one guy - he's just totally out to take you.
I wonder if he's got a son - I'll have to ask. I sure hope so. He really should pass his work ethic & values on. We need more people like him.
Our driveway is practically immaculate! Our (what was once) white fence - spank'n new! Bright white! All the green mold, algae? Gone! Our deck is nice and clean, spider-webs gone.
I am a happy camper today. I am so grateful! A "simply maaaahvelous" job was done! I will be singing this man's praises, till..... who knows when! Thank You, God for this man. (don't know if he'd want me telling his name)
Who is this man? Well, he's an elderly gentleman, probably in his 70's. He's a neighbor, and handy-man that many in our subdivision rely on. What's amazing about him, is he takes his time - he's not out to make $50-$100 per hour. He had knee surgery recently, so he really took his time, with many breaks (which I insisted on) but without any chemicals, he cleaned each & every tile on the driveway and sidewalk, having that greasy dirt and a bit of mold (up by the garage) come up like nothing.
His price? $60!! We gave him more. Plus, he said he'd be here at 9:30, he was here at 9:00.
I mean, can you believe it?!! This is a man with integrity. A man with a great work ethic - a man who's not out to take people, but believes in a doing the best job he can do at a truly fair price. A man, who takes pride in his job. I don't think they make 'em like him anymore. Man, what a breath of fresh air! The other 2 guys who work for our subdivision, they could stand to take a few lessons from him, especially the one guy - he's just totally out to take you.
I wonder if he's got a son - I'll have to ask. I sure hope so. He really should pass his work ethic & values on. We need more people like him.
Tuesday, August 6, 2013
AS I SEE IT #1 - Regarding the Networks' Priorities (see Report #1 below)
Probably not the topic you'd expect for me to start my blog with - I mean what does it matter in the big scheme of things? But actually, it does matter. AS I SEE IT, this is just one in a million representations as to how "we the people" don't really matter anymore. The media, advertisers, business, they have us SO manipulated, so controlled. They really should care what us elderly, and especially the seniors want, they're the biggest voting block, but they don't and they don't have to. It's pathetic how they cater to the elderly when they want their vote, but how quickly they're thrown to the curb, when money comes into play.
This is just so typical of the "powers that be"- those who are really running and determing what kind of country America is and will be. They're evil - it's pure greed run amuck. Ethics and morals are thrown to the wind. Ignore the seniors, the ones who actually do the most TV watching. Yah, let's go after, the impulsive, the naïve, the inexperienced, the young, the manipulative, let's get them for all they've got, let's wine and dine them, even though they really don't watch the TV networks anymore. Typical, typical business practices of today, let's give everything to those who AREN'T doing business with us, and take everything we can from those who are, our loyal, committed, faithful customers.
It's evil that's in charge and running practically everything. We all must see it, become aware of it, and stop falling for it.
We need to get back to where WE, "we the people" are controlling "the powers that be" NOT where we are today - where THEY are TOTALLY controlling us. The first step, awareness. 2nd step, action - stop watching, protest, vote differently, vote for more regulation, vote for more freedom, more access, more control by us, not them, voice your complaints on Facebook, on Twitter, spread the word to your friends and their friends, spread it like wildfire.
Show them that WE, "we the people," especially in numbers of 8-11 million, DO MATTER.
Monday, August 5, 2013
Report #1 - Television Network being Anti-Elderly
Just heard on "The View" that one of the networks cancelled the show "Harry's Law" with Kathy Bates, because its viewership was too old. The show was getting (I think they said) some 11 million viewers, but those 11 million viewers were not in the advertisers' preferred market - that being 18-49 year olds.
(that's all I have for now, more research on this to come)
I have done more research. It was NBC that cancelled the show, back in May 2012. Harry's Law was NBC's 2nd most-watched drama (according to deadline.com ), and according to Kathy Bates got anywhere from 8-11 million viewers weekly. And yes, according to David Hinkley of the NY Daily News, the show was cancelled because of older viewership. According to Mr. Hinkley, NBC just did what the other networks do - aim for the younger viewers. NBC also cancelled "Smash" its #1 rated drama.
They were talking about it on "The View" today, because over the weekend Kathy Bates bashed NBC saying "they treated us like s--t!"
Feel free to share your thoughts on this. (Man, could I ever editorialize on this! Maybe I will.)
(that's all I have for now, more research on this to come)
I have done more research. It was NBC that cancelled the show, back in May 2012. Harry's Law was NBC's 2nd most-watched drama (according to deadline.com ), and according to Kathy Bates got anywhere from 8-11 million viewers weekly. And yes, according to David Hinkley of the NY Daily News, the show was cancelled because of older viewership. According to Mr. Hinkley, NBC just did what the other networks do - aim for the younger viewers. NBC also cancelled "Smash" its #1 rated drama.
They were talking about it on "The View" today, because over the weekend Kathy Bates bashed NBC saying "they treated us like s--t!"
Feel free to share your thoughts on this. (Man, could I ever editorialize on this! Maybe I will.)
Sunday, August 4, 2013
Just WHAT IS up MY alley?
Ya know the expression, "that's right up my alley"? Well, I'm asking myself, "just what IS up my alley?" What should my blog be about? What do I have some experience in, or do pretty well, or am kind of a natural at? What do I know (if anything)?.......... I'm 53 years old, there should be a couple things, right? Off the top of my head, I'm coming up with organizing, customer service, ethics, honesty, truth, being real, writing/journaling, life, adversity, travel, Europe, WE THE PEOPLE, America, relationships? All things I know very well. But we shall see, we shall see. This is going to take some pondering, at least overnight. So, let me see what I come up with. Maybe all of the above? and maybe more?
Well, I slept on it. And after much contemplation, I think this blog will be about..................SOCIETY TODAY! Sometimes, we don't see things that are right in front of our face. I want to be a journalist, so I think I will attempt to REPORT as much as possible. Reporting things as they're happening, as I see/hear them, and sticking to the facts as much as possible. That being said, I'm human, and staying away from editorials is not going to be totally possible. So you will see editorials & essays on my blog as well. Because a lot of FACTS on certain subjects could be hard to come by you'll also see a lot of "Tweet"-like thoughts.
For the past 13 years, I have been a full-time caregiver, here in West Palm Beach, FL, to my mother who has Parkinson's. For a couple of years I was also the primary caregiver to my step-dad, who passed away in 2009, due to complications from Diabetes. Caregiving is my main role these days, so, there probably will be a lot of reporting on that - not the most exciting or interesting of subjects, but I'll do my best. And seeing as this is becoming more and more of an issue for so many of us late baby boomers, maybe it will prove to be purposeful.
Other issues I will be reporting on, that are ever present in my life, would be: the media, Corporate America and general business practices, family & community. So, you can count on LOTS of reporting, and lots of editorials, on these subjects as well. I'm going to try and stick to "just the facts" as much as I possibly can - that's going to be hard - I can see there's probably going to be a lot more "Tweet"- like, "Food for Thought" comments - at least in the beginning, as my first "report" will be - till I really delve into this.
I THINK I'll try to "report" something once a week. We'll see how time permits. I'll appreciate any and all comments, feedback.
Thanks.
Well, I slept on it. And after much contemplation, I think this blog will be about..................SOCIETY TODAY! Sometimes, we don't see things that are right in front of our face. I want to be a journalist, so I think I will attempt to REPORT as much as possible. Reporting things as they're happening, as I see/hear them, and sticking to the facts as much as possible. That being said, I'm human, and staying away from editorials is not going to be totally possible. So you will see editorials & essays on my blog as well. Because a lot of FACTS on certain subjects could be hard to come by you'll also see a lot of "Tweet"-like thoughts.
For the past 13 years, I have been a full-time caregiver, here in West Palm Beach, FL, to my mother who has Parkinson's. For a couple of years I was also the primary caregiver to my step-dad, who passed away in 2009, due to complications from Diabetes. Caregiving is my main role these days, so, there probably will be a lot of reporting on that - not the most exciting or interesting of subjects, but I'll do my best. And seeing as this is becoming more and more of an issue for so many of us late baby boomers, maybe it will prove to be purposeful.
Other issues I will be reporting on, that are ever present in my life, would be: the media, Corporate America and general business practices, family & community. So, you can count on LOTS of reporting, and lots of editorials, on these subjects as well. I'm going to try and stick to "just the facts" as much as I possibly can - that's going to be hard - I can see there's probably going to be a lot more "Tweet"- like, "Food for Thought" comments - at least in the beginning, as my first "report" will be - till I really delve into this.
I THINK I'll try to "report" something once a week. We'll see how time permits. I'll appreciate any and all comments, feedback.
Thanks.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)