Customer service in the UK sucks (sales, renting, new home)

[Raggy dee Ann]

Some times I find myself having to take drastic measures to get a response. BRITISH PEOPLE, LISTEN UP! MEDICOCRITY DOESN'T HAVE TO BECOME A WAY OF LIFE.

[Yorkie Bar]

Personally, I think it is the customers in the UK that "suck". I cringe at the behaviour of some people in shops who have some ridiculous idea that the customer is always right. I have news for you, the customer is very rarely right.

I hate been pounced on by assistants in shops who ask if I need help; do I look as if I'm incapable of asking for help if I require it?

Sorry Raggy but I think your just off on one of your anti-British rants again.

[Mooseketeer]

I think customer service is actually pretty good in the UK, in fact I have had to complain about 3 items in the last 2 weeks and every single company has been extremely polite, helpful and given my money back , or replaced the item without any trouble and I even got £40 in compensation for my trouble from Homebase too.

Places like M&S are so good I sometimes think they must waste millions of pounds because their return policies are so incredibly generous. I find the same with most companies.

I agree with Yorkie Bar, consumers can be really quite unreasonable and some take distinct advantage of store policies.

I always complain politely if there is something to complain about but also always make sure I compliment people for good service and quality.
We hve stores that sell what could only be termed c--p ( like Primark) and people still moan that the quality is rubbish for example ?

We expect everything dirt cheap on the backs of foreign workers in the developing and third world but still expect to be getting Fortnum and Masons standards. I find most places I go , whether stores or restaurants to be good with customer services and the few ones which are bad can expect hell from me.
On balance though I would say it's pretty good.

I guess Raggy-Dee Ann and I have different experiences. It's funny but in a way I find smaller independent stores to have the worst customer care and the worst attitude.

[STT Resident]

You think that the UK is the only place in the world where this is a problem? And, Raggy-Dee Ann, SHOUTING isn't the solution either. Cheers!

[UK2theUS]

Originally Posted by Raggy dee Ann

Some times I find myself having to take drastic measures to get a response. BRITISH PEOPLE, LISTEN UP! MEDICOCRITY DOESN'T HAVE TO BECOME A WAY OF LIFE.

Fully agree I have had major problems in the past with customer service it sucks big time.

[southdown]

Sorry - but having lived on both sides, it's all bad - especially where people are badly paid and badly treated. Dressing it up with 'have a nice day' doesn't help if the server knows zilch about zero.

And as for taking the prize for terrible, dehumanising, frustrating, inefficient and time-wasting telephone customer service systems, look no further than the USA

However, I have never encountered better customer service anywhere than in M&S and Sainsbury's

[Raggy dee Ann]

Of course Marks and Spencers is a shining example of what is good about cutomer service in this country, but there is a world outside M&S and the other stores with generous return policies. It's a fact people here don't complain enough, too afraid to hurt other peoples feelings or make a fuss.

I just moved into my new home a few days ago and dealing with some of the utility companies has been a nightmare. And what's with not providing 800 numbers for customer service. Most of them provide premium numbers instead, not quite top rate premium, but why should I have to pay 10p a minute when I have an all inclusive package with my phone company? The banks are the worst. They &%%$ you both ends. Kept on hold forever, then you speak to some person in Mumbai reading from a q card or whatever it is they give them.

The piece de resistance came last year when I asked a neighbour to fix his fence as my dogs could escape through them, which they eventually did. He told me he was renting and gave me the realty company name that managed it. I contacted them, they told me they'd get back to me after they spoke to the owner. This went back and forth for 3 months. Some thing as simple as reparing a fence. One day I just about had it and armed with two landline phones and a cell. I called both the letting and sales team one after the other hitting the redial key for two hours. Next day I was arrested spent 7 hours at my local cop shop and was released. All because some 6ft tall strapping son of a byatch said I threatened him and he was fearful. Of me Poor excuse of a man that he was. But hey, the fence was fixed by the time I got outta jail.

[Raggy dee Ann]

Originally Posted by STT Resident

You think that the UK is the only place in the world where this is a problem? And, Raggy-Dee Ann, SHOUTING isn't the solution either. Cheers!

Nope I don't think it's the only place. I expect crap service in third world countries or little laid back Islands. England may be considered a major player but once you leave your office in Canary Wharf it's an island where mediocrity is a way of life. What people consider average in countries like Canada, OZ and the USA is considered a luxury here.

I've built a nice little business for myself here in just a few years and it's what keeps me here for the moment.

[Scotslass]

Customer service in America is 110% better!

[Raggy dee Ann]

Originally Posted by Scotslass

Customer service in America is 110% better!

I also love being called mam. They don't call me that here