Those were the days

Whatever happened to good old-fashioned customer service? The days when stores would honestly tell you what to expect? They've gone by the wayside with the ultra-fast pace of today's world. They make promises they can't keep.

Example #1: Best Buy

Almost 4 years ago, I bought my Canon SLR from Best Buy and was sold a Service agreement. The man who sold it to me said the following:

"This plan is great! If you ever have ANY problem with the camera, just bring it in and we will take care of you. If it's something major, we can't fix it so we just replace it on the spot. We never have to send your camera out for service."

Well, that was a bunch of bull. I took my camera in over 2 weeks ago for repair and they said "We don't fix these here; we ship them out. You should get this back in 10 days."

I asked "Are you sure, because when I bought this I was told it would be repaired or replaced on the spot."

"Yes," he said. "We send these out, but you will definitely have it back in time for your sister's baby shower." (I'd told him the date and that I needed it back by then)

Well, they didn't do shit...They shipped it off, and it's still in "being reviewed" status. I called their customer service on Thursday and was told there was nothing that they could do. I called their corporate office and was only given the promise that they could track the repair order and see to it that it is expedited.

So, Here I am without a camera...after the second of Best Buy's broken promises of "Great Service" to me.

Example #2: Giant Groceries (not Giant Eagle)

On Wednesday, excited at having 2 rolls of film from J and my downstream adventure on the Potomac, I dropped off film at a Giant grocery store that touted "next day service! or free!"

Well, we are now 4 business days later and in the realm of "free" . . . and PISSING ME OFF! I've been trying to call them, but all I get is a busy signal. Here, let me try again...nope still busy. Assholes.

So i called through the pharmacy and asked for the front desk.

Front Desk: "I'm very busy..call me back in 10 minutes."
Me: "I'm calling long distance... and am also very busy."
Front Desk: "I'm busy right now, call later."
Me: "This is horrible customer service, can I speak with the store manager?"
::click::
::dialtone::

Well, that didn't sit too well with me, so I called back and spoke with Randy, the manager. He was not too happy with his customer service people either. Oh, and guess what?? The film is in. ::smacking forehead:: Fuckwits!

Conclusion:

I'm not asking for exceptional customer service, just for it to be on par with, and make good with all of the promises that they set out. Also, don't make promises that you can't keep.

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