Occasionally, in the past, I have made it clear I have little time and energy to waste. But only occasionally.
Perhaps I am more assertive now, or simply old and crabby, because I am growing less patient and "understanding", as the weeks and months go by.
Here are 3 recent examples of what I mean.
1.
Last week we went along to a lovely restaurant, that we have been to a few times now. It is also really handy, only being a 5 or 10 minute walk away from my home.
So there we were, hungry and eager to enjoy the wonderful meal we knew was awaiting us.
We asked for a table for two and were confronted with this little man who replied that he could seat us, as long as we didn't plan on being any more than half an hour.
Shock and disgust!
I responded that we would not care to rush our meal, and that we would find another restaurant. We then left, without another word being uttered.
2.
We were recently granted with Permanent Residency. So along we went to the appropriate authority, and applied for Australian Driving Licences. This process was really easy, and involved us showing ID, proof of address and our UK licences. It took 30 minutes, and we are to receive our new licences in a few weeks. Wonderful.
So, following this, we visited some car dealerships. At one of these, we enquired about a new car. Yes, a new car. We were seated, and left for 20 minutes. There were no other customers in consultation with any staff. I imagine they were busy doing ... something, but I really don't care. I was enquiring about a new car and I was left for 20 minutes.
They did not appear too eager to take my money.
I left.
I didn't say goodbye.
I just went.
My time is far too precious.
3.
Then today, I went into a local hairdresser, which I have been to previously, and asked if anyone was available as I was after a trim.
I was told by the owner that no-one was free just now. This was in contradiction to what my eyes told me, which was that at least 3 members of staff were twiddling their thumbs. Oh, and did I mention that I had to stand, intially after entering the shop, for a few minutes before any of these people acknowledged my presence!?
The owner said that perhaps he could squeeze me in, in perhaps, mmmm, I don't know, maybe an hour or so.
This was said in a way that implied he was doing me a favour. A favour! I am paying his wages. Ha!
Well, as I write this, that hour is well past, and I have no sweet intention of going back any time soon.
I will just grow my hair. So there! Ha!
Saturday, 13 March 2010
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8 comments:
Andrew and I are forever lamenting the decline of customer service standards. Or maybe we're just getting old and grumpy too!
Maybe I am old fashioned, but if people are giving you money, be nice to them.
O dear!
That's true Momma.
You are such a good advert for "the force"!
Boy, I'm right there with you! This kind of stuff makes my blood boil.
I LOVE how you handled each case, though. There's no need to rant and rave when you're treated this way. The BEST retaliation is to not give them your business. Cheers to YOU (and sorry you were treated this way!!)!
I've been impatient all my life. It is getting worse as the years go on...but that's okay :-) People need a good kick in the a** once in a while.
Mary
I don't think that is impatience, just 3 examples of classic bad service.
BTW, what would have happened if you'd not finished eating in half an hour?! I'd like to have seen that.....
I hear ya on the customer service! how hard is it to be nice and smile and be polite! One of the things I drummed into my staffwhen I managed bookshops was to drop everything at the first sign of customer at the counter or looking like they needed a hand. I read somewhere once that it takes months to gain a customer and only minutes to lose one.
I think it could be age too, the older I get the more impatient I find myself, and so intolerant of rudeness! There is just no excuse for it.
I used to work in retail, and do not remember ever even thinking I could treat a customer poorly. No way.
I remember even staying way past the end of my shift, because I was packing bottles of wine into a man's car for him. Several hundred bottles, for his daughter's wedding. Seriously. Hundreds.
That wasn't all. He had to have them all packed in "wine carriers", with all the red's together, all the white's together and all the budget bottles all on their own too.
I did it all for him. Bit my tongue. Never hinted I was finished my shift, because...
...he was the customer!
And his name? (Am I brave enough to say...?)
Mr. Pain! May have been Payne, but I remember him as Mr. Pain!!
Couldn't make this stuff up.
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