I know, I know. Living in Europe for the past 8 years I've accepted that "customer service" is just not part of the European vocabulary. Don't get me wrong, there are many things about Europe and Switzerland I find much more comforting than in the US and I absolutely love living here. The one that that still really bothers me is their outlook on customer service. It doesn't exist!!!
I get so angry at how little attention is spent on customers that I almost refuse entirely to do any Christmas shopping. Finding a customer service agent to help you at FNAC or Manor? You'd be better off ordering from the internet as it would probably arrive faster!
Trying to return something? Well it better still be in its packaging and you must return within 30 days with receipt and that little "warranty" certificate you get from the "customer service" desk after your purchase. Forget about returning damaged or broken goods. They will ask you why you bought a broken item in the first place! (no joke on this one, it actually happened)!+
Why is there no system whatsoever for waiting in lines here? Ordering fish or meat or veggies or waiting in lines at Manor is like trading at the stock exchange! Not to mention the rush at trying to pack all your groceries with bags you've brought from home, before the next person's groceries come down!
Skiing on the mountains, waiting in line for a lift you have 20 people on either side shoving their skies between your legs. Is this becuase they think it will make the line move faster? Try getting a bumper car during fete de geneve. Its like the running of the bulls and a race against time before the cars start moving again!
Unhappy with a dish you've ordered at a restaurant? When I told the waitress that her description was not what I expected she got me a new lunch and charged me for both! Probably my fault anyway, but I'll never go back there again regardless because they just didn't seem to care!
Does anyone know what am talking about or share any similar frustrations??? It would be good to know I'm not the only person (American or otherwise) who feels that money doesn't really talk?
Global Forums > General > Where is my customer service??
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Where is my customer service??
Dec 20, 2006 @ 15:03
The text you are quoting:
I know, I know. Living in Europe for the past 8 years I've accepted that "customer service" is just not part of the European vocabulary. Don't get me wrong, there are many things about Europe and Switzerland I find much more comforting than in the US and I absolutely love living here. The one that that still really bothers me is their outlook on customer service. It doesn't exist!!!
I get so angry at how little attention is spent on customers that I almost refuse entirely to do any Christmas shopping. Finding a customer service agent to help you at FNAC or Manor? You'd be better off ordering from the internet as it would probably arrive faster!
Trying to return something? Well it better still be in its packaging and you must return within 30 days with receipt and that little "warranty" certificate you get from the "customer service" desk after your purchase. Forget about returning damaged or broken goods. They will ask you why you bought a broken item in the first place! (no joke on this one, it actually happened)!+
Why is there no system whatsoever for waiting in lines here? Ordering fish or meat or veggies or waiting in lines at Manor is like trading at the stock exchange! Not to mention the rush at trying to pack all your groceries with bags you've brought from home, before the next person's groceries come down!
Skiing on the mountains, waiting in line for a lift you have 20 people on either side shoving their skies between your legs. Is this becuase they think it will make the line move faster? Try getting a bumper car during fete de geneve. Its like the running of the bulls and a race against time before the cars start moving again!
Unhappy with a dish you've ordered at a restaurant? When I told the waitress that her description was not what I expected she got me a new lunch and charged me for both! Probably my fault anyway, but I'll never go back there again regardless because they just didn't seem to care!
Does anyone know what am talking about or share any similar frustrations??? It would be good to know I'm not the only person (American or otherwise) who feels that money doesn't really talk?
nancyDec 20, 2006 @ 15:03
I get so angry at how little attention is spent on customers that I almost refuse entirely to do any Christmas shopping. Finding a customer service agent to help you at FNAC or Manor? You'd be better off ordering from the internet as it would probably arrive faster!
Trying to return something? Well it better still be in its packaging and you must return within 30 days with receipt and that little "warranty" certificate you get from the "customer service" desk after your purchase. Forget about returning damaged or broken goods. They will ask you why you bought a broken item in the first place! (no joke on this one, it actually happened)!+
Why is there no system whatsoever for waiting in lines here? Ordering fish or meat or veggies or waiting in lines at Manor is like trading at the stock exchange! Not to mention the rush at trying to pack all your groceries with bags you've brought from home, before the next person's groceries come down!
Skiing on the mountains, waiting in line for a lift you have 20 people on either side shoving their skies between your legs. Is this becuase they think it will make the line move faster? Try getting a bumper car during fete de geneve. Its like the running of the bulls and a race against time before the cars start moving again!
Unhappy with a dish you've ordered at a restaurant? When I told the waitress that her description was not what I expected she got me a new lunch and charged me for both! Probably my fault anyway, but I'll never go back there again regardless because they just didn't seem to care!
Does anyone know what am talking about or share any similar frustrations??? It would be good to know I'm not the only person (American or otherwise) who feels that money doesn't really talk?
nancyDec 20, 2006 @ 15:03
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Re: Where is my customer service??
Post 1
Dec 20, 2006 @ 15:40
It's true that customer service is much worse in Europe than in the States.
I think a lot of it is to do with the tip culture...I worked in a US bar for a summer once and hardly got paid a basic salary so had to be 'super nice' in order to gain a living wage from tips. I think in Europe, service staff get a higher basic salary so don't have to bow to customers as much.
It's also true though that a lot of people find overly-attentive customer service just as distasteful. It can be a little saccharine for some tastes to be always told to 'have a nice day' in the hope that you'll throw a few more coins around the next time you visit.
Xmas shopping is always horrible anyway. Viva Amazon!
I think a lot of it is to do with the tip culture...I worked in a US bar for a summer once and hardly got paid a basic salary so had to be 'super nice' in order to gain a living wage from tips. I think in Europe, service staff get a higher basic salary so don't have to bow to customers as much.
It's also true though that a lot of people find overly-attentive customer service just as distasteful. It can be a little saccharine for some tastes to be always told to 'have a nice day' in the hope that you'll throw a few more coins around the next time you visit.
Xmas shopping is always horrible anyway. Viva Amazon!
The text you are quoting:
It's true that customer service is much worse in Europe than in the States.
I think a lot of it is to do with the tip culture...I worked in a US bar for a summer once and hardly got paid a basic salary so had to be 'super nice' in order to gain a living wage from tips. I think in Europe, service staff get a higher basic salary so don't have to bow to customers as much.
It's also true though that a lot of people find overly-attentive customer service just as distasteful. It can be a little saccharine for some tastes to be always told to 'have a nice day' in the hope that you'll throw a few more coins around the next time you visit.
Xmas shopping is always horrible anyway. Viva Amazon!
Spikey, Dec 20, 2006 @ 15:40
I think a lot of it is to do with the tip culture...I worked in a US bar for a summer once and hardly got paid a basic salary so had to be 'super nice' in order to gain a living wage from tips. I think in Europe, service staff get a higher basic salary so don't have to bow to customers as much.
It's also true though that a lot of people find overly-attentive customer service just as distasteful. It can be a little saccharine for some tastes to be always told to 'have a nice day' in the hope that you'll throw a few more coins around the next time you visit.
Xmas shopping is always horrible anyway. Viva Amazon!
Spikey, Dec 20, 2006 @ 15:40
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Re: Where is my customer service??
Post 2
Dec 20, 2006 @ 16:40
hahaha, i cant stop laughing! it must have something to do with the i-havent-bought-any-xmas-present-yet nerves, and the thought of setting my foot in placette/manor just makes me tired!
i have always wondered about the shoving around in the ski lifts, i've even considered gluing a small patch of either sandpaper or a grater (ie kitchen grater) at the back , on top of, my skis. That way no one would be trampling all over my skis at the back - with the fear of my sandpaper/grater idea would ruin their skis underneath - and i would actually be able to move forward. but i still havent done it, cause i realised myself, i'm pretty bad too - cause if they shove, i shove too. planting a ski pole between their feet is usually quiet effective (and stick your elbows out as far as they go.. and lalalalaaaa, isnt the view lovely).
but what cracks me up even more, is that you had to pay for your lunch ... TWICE!!! and i can so see it happening. and it just got me thinking, i went to this resto the other day and the food was just way to salty. But. me and my friend quietly sat there and ate our food, , and kind of whispering and debating if we should say something or not , and eventually we ate our whole salty meal (OK so we were superly hungry too) and didn’t even say anything at the end.
and another time i was at a brunch place and the girl next to me was sprinkling salt on her scrambled eggs when all of sudden the whole thing opens and she gets salt over her plate. and i watch to my amazement as she kind half giggles half groans; calmly scrapes of the salt and eats her scambled eggs. the thought of asking for new eggs just didnt cross her mind.... and eggs cost want 20cents? But they could easily have given her new eggs and made her pay 14 francs in total for the two sets of scrambled eggs.
It utterly annoys me too. It just seems though that even if they could help you out and make it better, it’s the principle that they wont. Kind of like who-do-you-think-you-are kind of attitude, no?
i have always wondered about the shoving around in the ski lifts, i've even considered gluing a small patch of either sandpaper or a grater (ie kitchen grater) at the back , on top of, my skis. That way no one would be trampling all over my skis at the back - with the fear of my sandpaper/grater idea would ruin their skis underneath - and i would actually be able to move forward. but i still havent done it, cause i realised myself, i'm pretty bad too - cause if they shove, i shove too. planting a ski pole between their feet is usually quiet effective (and stick your elbows out as far as they go.. and lalalalaaaa, isnt the view lovely).
but what cracks me up even more, is that you had to pay for your lunch ... TWICE!!! and i can so see it happening. and it just got me thinking, i went to this resto the other day and the food was just way to salty. But. me and my friend quietly sat there and ate our food, , and kind of whispering and debating if we should say something or not , and eventually we ate our whole salty meal (OK so we were superly hungry too) and didn’t even say anything at the end.
and another time i was at a brunch place and the girl next to me was sprinkling salt on her scrambled eggs when all of sudden the whole thing opens and she gets salt over her plate. and i watch to my amazement as she kind half giggles half groans; calmly scrapes of the salt and eats her scambled eggs. the thought of asking for new eggs just didnt cross her mind.... and eggs cost want 20cents? But they could easily have given her new eggs and made her pay 14 francs in total for the two sets of scrambled eggs.
It utterly annoys me too. It just seems though that even if they could help you out and make it better, it’s the principle that they wont. Kind of like who-do-you-think-you-are kind of attitude, no?
The text you are quoting:
hahaha, i cant stop laughing! it must have something to do with the i-havent-bought-any-xmas-present-yet nerves, and the thought of setting my foot in placette/manor just makes me tired!
i have always wondered about the shoving around in the ski lifts, i've even considered gluing a small patch of either sandpaper or a grater (ie kitchen grater) at the back , on top of, my skis. That way no one would be trampling all over my skis at the back - with the fear of my sandpaper/grater idea would ruin their skis underneath - and i would actually be able to move forward. but i still havent done it, cause i realised myself, i'm pretty bad too - cause if they shove, i shove too. planting a ski pole between their feet is usually quiet effective (and stick your elbows out as far as they go.. and lalalalaaaa, isnt the view lovely).
but what cracks me up even more, is that you had to pay for your lunch ... TWICE!!! and i can so see it happening. and it just got me thinking, i went to this resto the other day and the food was just way to salty. But. me and my friend quietly sat there and ate our food, , and kind of whispering and debating if we should say something or not , and eventually we ate our whole salty meal (OK so we were superly hungry too) and didn’t even say anything at the end.
and another time i was at a brunch place and the girl next to me was sprinkling salt on her scrambled eggs when all of sudden the whole thing opens and she gets salt over her plate. and i watch to my amazement as she kind half giggles half groans; calmly scrapes of the salt and eats her scambled eggs. the thought of asking for new eggs just didnt cross her mind.... and eggs cost want 20cents? But they could easily have given her new eggs and made her pay 14 francs in total for the two sets of scrambled eggs.
It utterly annoys me too. It just seems though that even if they could help you out and make it better, it’s the principle that they wont. Kind of like who-do-you-think-you-are kind of attitude, no?
SweetSwede, Dec 20, 2006 @ 16:40
i have always wondered about the shoving around in the ski lifts, i've even considered gluing a small patch of either sandpaper or a grater (ie kitchen grater) at the back , on top of, my skis. That way no one would be trampling all over my skis at the back - with the fear of my sandpaper/grater idea would ruin their skis underneath - and i would actually be able to move forward. but i still havent done it, cause i realised myself, i'm pretty bad too - cause if they shove, i shove too. planting a ski pole between their feet is usually quiet effective (and stick your elbows out as far as they go.. and lalalalaaaa, isnt the view lovely).
but what cracks me up even more, is that you had to pay for your lunch ... TWICE!!! and i can so see it happening. and it just got me thinking, i went to this resto the other day and the food was just way to salty. But. me and my friend quietly sat there and ate our food, , and kind of whispering and debating if we should say something or not , and eventually we ate our whole salty meal (OK so we were superly hungry too) and didn’t even say anything at the end.
and another time i was at a brunch place and the girl next to me was sprinkling salt on her scrambled eggs when all of sudden the whole thing opens and she gets salt over her plate. and i watch to my amazement as she kind half giggles half groans; calmly scrapes of the salt and eats her scambled eggs. the thought of asking for new eggs just didnt cross her mind.... and eggs cost want 20cents? But they could easily have given her new eggs and made her pay 14 francs in total for the two sets of scrambled eggs.
It utterly annoys me too. It just seems though that even if they could help you out and make it better, it’s the principle that they wont. Kind of like who-do-you-think-you-are kind of attitude, no?
SweetSwede, Dec 20, 2006 @ 16:40
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