by Maureen
As someone who spent most of my adult life as a retail manager (and all my life as a consumer!), customer service is near and dear to me. And DISSERVICE is even closer.
We all know the economy is heading further down the tubes as we speak...but do the retailers bear some of the responsibility? I think so. In years past, when the economy sucked, the stores I managed always continued to make sales goals. Why? Because my staff and I held the same beliefs regarding Customer Service. We made our customers WANT to spend their precious dollars with us. We greeted them when they entered. We talked WITH them while they shopped. We listened to them. We developed a rapport with them. We let them know we appreciated them.
As a consumer, I rarely see that in stores I visit...even if I am only looking...I am watching and taking mental notes!
Just the other day I was at the gross-ery store. I know that is basically a self-service shopping adventure, but when aisles are blocked by stock and employees have no idea where items are located is not conducive to shopping. On this trip I wanted to buy a pound of deli ham. I went to the deli counter and stood there...alone...no employee to be seen. I stood a bit while other employees of the store passed by and never offered to find the deli clerk. I left and picked out a couple of other things I needed and returned to the deli counter. Then I saw it...the deli clerk was sitting in the back room TEXT MESSAGING! I coughed loudly and she looked up. She didn’t approach until she completed her text! Gggrrrrr. Then I told her what I wanted...1 pound of ham. She took out the ham that was already sliced and it was just about a half pound. She then moaned and groaned about having to slice the remainder...WTF????? I told her to forget and just give me what she had on the scale. What is wrong with that picture?
A week or so before, I had gone into Walgreen’s. I needed a couple of things and found a couple more things that I could live without, but thought I would get while I was there. As I shopped, I realized I had to use the restroom. I couldn’t find anyone in the store, so I went to the check out and asked where the restroom was. I was told matter of factly that I was not allowed to go unaccompanied to the restroom and she couldn’t leave her post! Ummm, could you call someone else to accompany me????? That apparently was not an option, so my option was...LEAVE THE CART OF MERCHANDISE AND LEAVE THE STORE! I guess Walgreen’s business is so good they can allow people to leave without purchasing!
I know we have all had horrible experiences at the hands of rude, absent or just inexperienced sales associates...wanna share yours?
Maybe I will write a follow up blog about GREAT service I have gotten...maybe!
176 comments:
69~
Morning Glories!
Ha Tina beat ya! The coyote neighbor is up shooting this morning so I am here early!
Oh Mo the text messanger would have found out I immediately went to the front of the store and pulled a customer comment card and filled it out. I don't normally do that but once in awhile it has to be done. There is no excuse for rude behavior when you work retail.
I have not had any bad experiences lately (knock on wood) our small town has 3 grossry stores and they all seem to get that there is competition and are for the most part on the ball.
Like you I take notes as I worked retail for so many years. It drives me crazy to have to wait for service for more than a few minutes.
Something may pop into my mind after my second cup.
BBL
Congratulations (again) Lynn_D!!!
Tina, baby, it's too early to 69. I think it's like drinking booze before noon, not really recommended. :D
Maureen, I relate, more than I want to. Customer service is DEAD in every store within a 50 mile radius of home for me. :(
Seriously, even the Walmart greeters don't say hello around here.
They are so busy either talking to friends, coworkers, texting, talking on cells or walkie talkies, or simply have cranium-rectumitis (head up the ass syndrome) that they don't smile, wave, say hi or give ya a dag-gum cart. And if you were on fire, I don't think they'd waste their piss to put you out.
When I worked retail, I took pride in customer service. Seeing it vanish from our society is pretty sad to me, not to mention grrrr.
LYNN...congrats on 1!
We have 2 stores in my town...this one and one on the other end of town, so there really isn't a lot of competition here. And this store offers fuel perks...10cents off a gallon of gas with every 50 bucks you spend. So, they don't really have any competition.
Maybe since you are up so early, you can do some on-line shopping for a fog horn!
TINA...LOL@your morning 69!
NO NEWZ...Cranium rectumitis? OMG, I almost spit my coffee on the 'puter! Our WalMart greeters must be cousins of yours...they don't greet either.
Morning Lynndeeee, Tina and NN!
Lynndeeee....Your coyote neighbor is SHOOTING???? I'd be a bit worried if the coyotes have guns...just sayin!
MO....Great blog! Poor customer service really irks me to no end!!!
gotta make coffee!
Thanks for the comments so far!
I really need to get my ass in gear, I am going in to work for a few hours and need to get dressed. It's not o.t, but just some extra hours.
Have a great day everyone. BBL!
I see a few more are awake! Hope your neighbors are not to blame. LOL
Scrishy I would get mad at him but two of his pygmy goats have been attacked and killed in the last year by coyotes. The last one just a month and a half or so ago. So he has been keeping watch and firing off rounds to scare them.
I am torn about the whole issue, but understand that he is just protecting the goats. I just get worried that he will mistake one of my dogs by accident so I make sure we keep an eye out for them.
I did think of an incident Mo. A few weeks ago I rode with my friend and her brother to the local Indian cigar/cigarette shop as he needed to buy cigarettes. It is more like a glorified gas station by the casino. They went into the smoke shop side and I decided to go over to the gas station side to get a fountain drink.
I waited while the cashier was trying to help an elderly lady and waited and waited. Several people who work there kept walking by quickly and basically ignored me. Then all of sudden about 4 or 5 people came in. Two adult men lined up behind me.
The cashier finally finished and I stepped forward to pay for my 99 cent drink. One of the guys behind me said "Hey why does she get to go first?" the cashiers response was "I don't know who was next I was not paying attention." WTF
Now normally I would have just let them go ahead of me just to avoid the bullshit but for some reason that day, maybe because they were grown men, I decided no way. I turned and looked at the jerk and said " do you notice that you are in line behind me?" He just looked at me. I said that means you got here after me!" Geez again the dimwit behind the counter said "I don't know who was first?" Ok that was it I had had it. I paid for my drink and looked at her and said one bad service, two you should pay attention I could have just walked out with this."
I was fuming my friend and her brother came out and I told them about it and they laughed their asses off! I guess it is true what they say middle age women just disappear, kind of like my stealth car, never seen and people assume they can walk over you.
Ok now I am all worked up again, that just pissed me off!
Need more coffee.
Good morning! Congrats on first, LynnD! Unfortunately, my goofy neighbor's dog is barking its head off this morning. grrrr....
Mo, I'm sorry you've had such rotten customer service! I've experienced it, too, of course but honestly not much around here. There really is a lot to be said about the south--retail people are really friendly. Our Walmart greeters are just as sweet as can be, bless their hearts!
Hi Tina! Did you even wake up for that 69??
Hi Lois, thanks for the new word!! LOL
Hi Scirish, how's your back today?
Have a great Saturday, owls! It's back in the closet for me. Will I ever finish???
LYNN...OMG!! I really need to go, but that remided me of another of my pet peeves...
You stand in line for EVAH. There are people behind and then they open another register and take the LAST person in line!! WTF? They just got there, I was standing there already forever!! When I am the back of the line and they try to take me first, I tell the person in FRONT of me to go, as they were waiting even longer then I was. GGGGRRRRRRRrrrrrrrr.
Ok, going............
SANDIE...good morning!
OK, face is painted, hair is sprayed, clothes are on...
going, going, gone!!
Bye!
I have to tell you guys something funny!! You probably all know Vera Bradley, right? Very nice purses, accessories, etc. and pretty pricey. Last year a friend gave me a Vera Bradley Agenda book and I LOVED it. My Mom gave me some Christmas money this year so I thought I'd use on something I wouldn't normally buy myself--the 2009 Vera Bradley Agenda! Well, I ordered it online the other day and I clicked on what I thought was my usual pattern I like. It just came by FedEx a couple of minutes ago and when I opened it, it wasn't my pattern! It seems it's a new pattern called .... Night Owls!!! Isn't that crazy?? I love it!
Just had to share.
I just had an instance yesterday that had me scratching my head...
My new doctors office has a different prescription refill system than my old doctor and this was my first time using it. I called my refill in to the prescription refill voice mail on Monday. The recording said it would take 24-48 hours. I called the drug store on Wednesday and nothing was there yet. Thurs was a holiday, so I checked the drug store again Fri Morning. Still nothing. I started calling the doctors office to find out what was up, but all I could get was voice mail. I left a message on two different extensions. Finally, around 3pm I punched in the Office Managers extension. He answered and I told him my problem. He informed me that "This line had nothing to do with that" and he would transfer me. I opened my mouth to explain that I had tried all the other lines, but I was already transferred, you guessed it, into voice mail.
I understand that he had nothing to do with prescription refills, but my complaint was that no one was getting back to me to explain what was going on. Would that not fall under the jurisdiction of an Office Manager?
I ended up calling again and speaking to the Receptionist, who finally told me that the prescription could not be refilled with out me being seen. It only took a week for me to find that out.
Grrrr Scirish! That would boil my buns. You guys are revving my engine this morning. I want to go to the store and run someone over with my cart! Hahahahaha!
Way to strike the nerve Mo! :D
Sandie, it's really cool the purse accident! Share a pic, would ya? You bet, you can use cranium-rectumitis all you like. I sat here thinking, "What's the nicest way possible, I can say someone has their head up their butt?" LOL!
Maureen, they are cousins, identical cousins!
Good for you holding your own there and not winding up in the pokey, Lynn_D!
Oh Lynn, I meant to add, I think the air horn is a great idea too.
Sandie....That is too funny! I sense a new avatar in your future!
Sandie...Thanks for asking about my back...I must have over done something...I am still kinda stuck at an angle....I did notice, however, that I need to vacuum....
Congrats on first LynnD!
Mo: WOW, great blog! I mean, I can totally relate to leaving my items if they won't let me use the restroom. For goodness sakes, I really hate that so much. There should be a LAW that requires stores to have a facility available. My local CVS tries to pull that on me, but I always insist.
LynnD: I have gone to tell the manager when someone gives me bad blatant bad service.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Saturday. I am kind of sad because my week off is about to come to a close. :(
I have officially lost 55 lbs now! woo hoo! I can't believe I made it through the holidays and lost weight...YAY!
Good Morning Hooters!! I am back in full swing. Everyone is gone, I'm back from trip and although I loved every minute- I don't want to see people for the next 2 days- LOL!!
Lynn- congrats on 1st!!
Mo- loved the blog. I have had many many good experiences with customer service, and I always make sure to tell the manager. I also do the same with the bad ones.
Just YESTERDAY I was at the bank. Almost 3 weeks ago my bank made an error and had me overdrafted and charged me 274.00 in fees!!! Well, I called the bank that day and talked to the ass. manager. He would call me back. Nadda
Then 2 days later I went in and he said he talked to the manager (who was behind the ocunter and confirmed) and they were waiting for district manager to review, and would call me tomorrow.
YESTERDAY- I went in and there he was innocently waiting in line with a customers transaction (who was in his office) when I politely told him that I was STILL waiting for him to call, that if this was his idea of customer service that he was sorely lacking and that I found it to be totally disrespectfull and obviously this bank did not need my personal or business accounts.
He asked me if I had time to wait, that the district manager had been out for the last few weeks, and we could talk about it. I replied that we are talking about it, that his being gone was no excuse to not call me to tell me that and I expected a call on Monday- my time is precious and I was not waiting for him to finish up with someone else.
I was polite and firm and didn't raise my voice (much) but said all of this in front of 3 lines of people.
Last night I went on-line to my account to see something and lo and behold the charges were reversed and put back on my account!!!
Ok- that was a book- gotta go to the post office now. BBL
Good Morning LYNN, TINA, NN, MO, SCIRISH, & SANDIE
I try to keep my attitude in check, however, along with the positive changes in attitude and accommodation, especially toward certain groups of people, the quality and pride taken in the workplace in general all too often sucks.
All too often the workers are a refection of the management. I have always lived in the Bay Area, so perhaps it is more of a problem in a larger area than in a smaller community where there is more of a sense of camaraderie. I remember the days when places of business had enough workers to accommodate the public properly, human beings answered the phones, and if a worker didn't have an answer they found the answer to a question, and didn't just reply "I don't know". I could go on and on.
Now, on the other side of it, the public has also become more rude to the worker. One example is in the schools. What happened to the days when a parent worked with the teacher and backed them up. An example is when my daughter was in grade school one of the teachers had a June box. If a child brought a toy into the classroom for a second time it went into the June box and that is when the toy was returned. She had parents reprimanding her saying, you can't do that.
I'll stop and come back with short examples. Remember, my head is still clogged and I can't be held responsible for what I type. LOL
TOP TWENTY-THREE!!!!
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25 for Goldie
Happy saturday!!
I'm trying SO hard to feel better - this just sucks........
AND - don't even get me started about NEIGHBORS!!!!!!!!
Lynn - congrats on FIRST!!!
waving howdy to Lynn, Tina, Lois, MO, Scirish, Sandie, Bebbi, Goldie, Lani and all who land..
I hope everyone has an excellent day!!
:-)
MO - Thank you for your blog today..
Lani - I agree that employees reflect their management..
just yesterday - I took my mom to Walgreen's to have pictures printed (they had a 10 cent coupon).. WELL, she insists on going to the Walgreens that i can not stand, cuz the camera dept people are the RUDEST...... well, the RUDEST of them all is training a NEW person that poor person is already a reflection of HER..
Long story short - Too NOT relive that - I will not type it all out - cuz i will get mad all over again....... but- it was TERRIBLE disservice..........
I feel really bad for this new person - cuz all she was getting from her trainer was negative crap.
Now - at our grocery store - you can't walk down an aisle without someone talking to you - wanting to know if you have found everything alright.....
ONLY bad place - THE DELI - must be something about the deli dept. - They REFUSE to use the number system and you could stand there for DAYS and not be helped - someone else walks up and they immediately ask THAT person what they want!!!!!!!! WTF..... So - I NEVER use the deli.........
just saves me the headache......
Okay - I'm going to go lay back down..........
THIRTY!!!!
I see BEBBIE & GOLDIE HAVE FLOWN IN - GOOD MORNING
TINA, do you think you could have waited for a little foreplay before jumping on 69? LOL
NN, I agree there is such a lack of pride. I can't even imagine not taking pride in my work.
OH, I AM SO SORRY. I DIDN'T THANK MO FOR HER BLOG TODAY. THANK YOU THANK YOU.
SCIRISH, I guess you made lemons into lemonade with you back problem. It makes it much easier to find lint on the floor when you are hunched over. :)
LYNN, My mouth is still hanging open from the idiot in line. "Why does she get to go 1st?"
SANDIE, LOL @ "It's back in the closet for me". Love the NIGHT OWLS pattern.
GOLDIE, Right on! I have always called back clients to keep them informed on such things as pending lab work etc.
People just need to know they are respected. If someone has been waiting a very long time in the waiting room just letting them know the reason makes all the difference in the world to them.
Hi MEK, Try to stay rested. And remember....pay attention to your attire when entering the bathroom. LOL
BEBBIE, Congratulations on the 55 pounds!
When my fil was quite ill Tom called the Drs office to find out the results of his lab work. They put him on hold and came back and said there is no record of lab work. They supposedly called the lab to verify and said, no record at lab either. Tom then went to the lab himself and picked up the results and took them to the drs. office. That was gross incompetence!
Another time his father's ophthalmologist asked him to schedule another appointment. When he went to the desk he was told the person who would schedule that appointment was in the back office and he would have to call from home. I asked him at least 3 times, are you sure that is what they said and he said definitely yes. Personally, I wouldn't have left the office without the appointment.
Another thing is it is great that we have specialists, however what happened to the family doctor who new his patients body, mind and soul! And it isn't that we have maybe an orthopedic surgeon, but they are so specialized that one might see a patient for the left elbow and another for the right one. (an exaggeration)
I'll stop this, as I think I am suffering from cabin fever. To sum it up I think greed and apathy have taken us down the wrong road.
Hi Everyone!!
MO: I had a similar experience with a clerk text messaging. We were in line at Sprouts, and the lady in front of us had just run her debit card through the machine...this is supposed to be the quick way to pay and get out of the store, right?? Well maybe it would have been but the clerk was texting. The customer stood there as he typed. He then smiled and held up a finger..as if to tell her 'just a minute'. He finally finished, gave her the receipt and she left. We were next. But before he started ringing us up..he picked up his phone and started texting again. A clerk at another register told him to stop it or he could lose his job. This kid looked up..smiled and said 'Like I care. My other job pays three times as much as this one..' and he kept texting. I know we should have changed lines..but at this point I was just curious to see how this would play out. He finished his text and said "Sorry..I'm not supposed to do that..but so what??". Then he rang us up. By the time we had paid and were walking away..he had that phone in his hands again. It was so unbelievable it was almost comical. It was only his first week there..and I never saw him again.
Great blog today Maureen!!
LynnD Congrats on 1st! I love your stories! I guess as far as waiting for service goes, being first is the new last. What a bunch of BS, huh? I would have been livid!
Tina Your aim is WAY off for a 69. LOL
Slani What's that wet spot on your robe? Bwahahaha!!!
Sandie I didn't know you were in the closet! LOL
scirish and MEK I hope you both start feeling better today. You, too, Slan!
LL/NN Cranium rectumitis! Gotta love it! Way too many people suffer from that syndrome these days.
Goldie Apparently, he really is an "ass." manager! Glad you got it straightened out, finally.
Maureen Really a great blog today! Of course, everyone's getting their blood pressure raised just thinking about the poor woefully poor customer service that seems to be so prevalent. In fact, we Americans have gotten so bad at it, that when we call Customer Service, we can't get it here. We have to talk to someone in another country! Just kidding, kind of!
I usually shop at a large chain gross-ry store. Most of the clerk know me and are very friendly. They are also required to say thank you to me, using my name, as they hand me my receipt. The other day I went to a small family owned store. Lani knows the store I mean. You would think that they would have excellent customer service skills, having to compete with the big stores. However, I picked up a steak from the butcher and he didn't say one word to me nor smile during the whole transaction. I was looking at the meat, he came up to the counter opposite me, I told him which cut I wanted, he took it out of the case and wrapped it then handed it to me. That was it! Not a single effing word! No smile! Nada!
LYNND: Congrats on FIRST!! LOL!!
There is nothing worse than having a clerk look right through you.
NONEWS: I always look right at the Walmart greeters..flash a big smile and say HI!! They always respond..maybe not too happily though..lol..
SCIRISH: The runaround to get an RX refilled makes me crazy. I was trying to get a diuretic refilled..and days and days went by. I finally told the receptionist to tell my doctor that I would just get one over the counter. That RX was filled within the hour. Sometimes you just have to shock them....lol..
GOLDIE: Great to see you back! Uh-oh..the post office...eeeek!! ;)
MEK & LANI: I hope you are both feeling better!
Waving HI to BEBBI and SANDIE!!
Zona! Hi! You flew in while I was typing my novel. That is so unbelievable about the kid texting like that. Plus it is so rude, in general. There are a lot of people out there who are really in need of a job right now and would appreciate taking that one. I'm glad he's gone but I doubt he learned a lesson from it.
TINA: Somehow..seeing you get 69..no matter where or when it is..lets me know all is right with the world... ;)
Bebbi Have I told you lately how inspirational you are to those of us who need to knock of some pounds? Congrats on your success!
J/LIN: The other clerk kept telling him that he "would need every penny he could earn.." and he just shrugged. I got the feeling he was going to be a dad soon..how scary is that thought??
Zona That is scary! He can't handle the responsibilities of being a clerk, he sure as hell can't handle the responsibilities of being a dad! Way too immature!
FRPM AREA 51:
LANI: I'm going to check out your music player..I am having withdrawals with my page being so quiet!!
TINKA: LOL at your 'suspense blog'!!
SCIRISH: I don't think I can change..I've worried at least 15 times since New Years...lol!!!
J/LIN: I just wished the MS player held more songs..
SACBARB: All is opened..but it'll take 6 months for me to use it!!
The only thing I know that really seems to work for headaches, besides meds..is to put something really cold on the back of your neck. This draws the blood down and stops the pounding. I'm betting KGRL knows some really good holistic remedies!
SANDIE: Thank you...I'm glad last week is over and I could get back in the nest to play!! :)
MO: I'm supposed to have dozens of cousins in Cleveland..one could very well be your neighbor!! ;)
JODI: I hope you're enjoying your day off!!
I still have lots of everything to do today..I hope ya'all have a wonderful afternoon!!
BBL...
VIG is back on Monday..I can't wait to hear about her exotic adventures... :)
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50..for DIANNE!!
Happy Saturday, hooters!
The sun is out today! Yipee! It is chilly but it's ok since the sun is out :)
Congrats on first today Lynn! I'm impressed that you are on the west coast and manage to be first so often. You go gurl!
I'll be lucky to get 1 first this year, don't know how I managed 3 at all.
Love the blog today Mo! Seems I can think of so many negative experiences just recently, and hardly any positive ones.
I stopped to get bagels not too long ago at a place near work. I walked in and a woman came to the counter, didn't say hello or anything.
I said good morning, again nothing. I said good morning! She managed to grumble something back to me, not sure what she said.
I told her what I wanted and asked if if they had light cream cheese. She said ITS IN THE REFRIGERATOR.
I found the refrigetator and got what I wanted, walked over to pay and the woman ringing people up was equally unfriendly.
So I decided enough, told her that they are way too grouchy first thing in the morning and left my bagels and cream cheese on the counter. Also said I'd never be back.
I was really glad I'd had her slice the bagels first! haha
On the other hand, the Walgreens near my house is completely opposite as far as friendliness. You are greeted when you walk in, many times they will get you a cart, and ask at least once if you need help.
They are so friendly and nice, and almost too helpful! But it is such a pleasure to shop there.
The Walgreens near my old house is staffed with trolls and people who are real assholes. Hard to believe it's the same company a few miles apart!
MR. EBJ and I slept in this morning and just had a late breakfast. We plan to go look at some houses today, his mom wants to move closer to us so we are trying to find houses that she might be interested in.
Have a nice day everyone!
Bebbi...Way to go!!! 55 pounds is totally awesome!!!
Zona How many songs do you need? The MS profile player holds 10 songs. You can make other playlists, too, for your own enjoyment.
Tina You jump in with a 69 then disappear! Talk about "Slam, bam, thank you, Ma'am"! LOL
Hi ZONA, SSSSSSLIN, & EBJ.
That's it. I think it's nap time. I woke up tooooo early and now Chatty Cathy has wound down.
Great blog Mo!
I can think of many of times when the service was not up to par.
The one time that really sticks in my mind is when I went to get my son's pictures taken. The wannabe photographer at K-Mart was rude to my son and their was nothing friendly about her. I felt bad but I did e-mail a complaint.
I know people have bad days and I always keep that in mind. However, it was beyond bad. When it comes to my children I get a little overprotective.
I was going to take a walk outside today, but it is blustery weather today.
So, I'm going to take the clothes off the treadmill and give it a ride.
Congrats LynnD, 1ST!
Tina,um just what were you doing this morning that made you "holla"69!
I dought it was BINGO LOL!!
Sandi~I have got to see that purse!
Just how big is that closet lol!
Lani~ Did you get the "yellow" out of your bathrobe? ;-)
Scirish~LMAO at your "floor angle", but sorry you are hurtin'.. really!
Mo,great blog today. Here are a few of my experiences just this week and I didn't even have to leave home!
My travel agent called in a panic because I hadn't paid the balance on my upcoming cruise. I told her that she had called me 3 weeks ago asking for my final pmt. and that I had given her my cc number to use. She didn't remember the call, but then said "oh, here is your info,!" Must be you didn't give me permission to use it" duh!
A company I used to order my 2009 calender "pocket pals" for my Karaoke business called asking why I hadn't ordered this year. I said, "I did order. and I didn't received them". They wanted to know if I still wanted them. I said no, I would have sent them out by now!
My 1 year SIRIUS radio service that came with my Jeep expired and I have been trying to reconnect it. I keep getting sent to some outsourced country person whom I can't understand! I called the U.S. manager and told them that I would NOT give them my cc info. anyway. I did not feel comfortable doing that. They patched me through to someone from here. I finally had to do it online!
One more... to be cont.
Sorry about the delete, here is the post, minus my goof!
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Second day in a row!
Ok. This happened a long time ago to my Dad. He was a hard worker with many mouths to feed. I don't remember ever going hungry, although I am sure as kids we always wanted more.Once in a while he would buy a round steak which my Mother would cut into tiny pieces and add scrumptious gravy and serve along with beans and tortillas.Filled us up big time!
Anyway, long story long lol! One day as he was paying for the steak, the cashier scolded him saying "Tony, why are you buying this, you know you can't afford it!" I guess he told her it was none of her business! What a nerve!
Mary What nerve, indeed! And I thought customer service was better "long ago".
EBJ Congrats on your 69 "second day in a row". You make us west coasters proud!
I took a picture of my Agenda Book but haven't downloaded it yet. In the meantime, you can go to the website and see the pattern, which also comes in purses and all sorts of accessories. If you've never owned a Vera Bradley bag, you've got to get one! They are fabulous. Anyway, go to:
www.verabradley.com and click on colors, then signature, then scroll down to night owl! It's really quite pretty!
You guys are cracking me up with the closet comments. And no, I'm STILL not done. You see, cleaning the closet leads to cleaning out my clothes, then my shoes, then my purses, then all my wrapping paper/bags, then my jewelry, blah, blah. The end is in sight, though!
Mary, I'm lucky enough to have a big closet!! It's one of the reasons we loved this house. But, lots of stuff finds its way in there ....
I sure hope all the sick owls feel better soon!
I've got to go get ready for book club tonight. We're discussing The 19th Wife--a book about the Mormon Firsts--really interesting.
By the way, I have a big box full of books! I so wish I could share it with you guys!
Sandi, I have never heard of Vera Bradly, I will check it out. My fave. site is Longchamp. I have one of their clutch purses, but am dreaming of a larger purse. Purses are my Achilles heel! I have 3 Coach purses that I love! Don't get me started! I must have been deprived as a child, or is that depraved lol!
Sorry about that, double post! Jeesh twice in one day.
Bebbi, you are amazing! Who can lose weight during the holidays? No one but you I think!!! Way to go on 55!! It's a huge milestone, I hope you are proud of yourself.
Your stories are making me mad all over again! LOL!
Thanks for the link Sandie, it is pretty. :)
Sandie I like that Night Owl pattern. Very cool!
Mary Sounds like a blog to me. :)
Mary, what's so cool about Vera Bradley purses is that they come in all sorts of styles and have all sorts of cool pockets inside. I love them! They are very popular here. Yes Mary, blog about your purse fetish!! LOL
J/L and Lois, glad you liked it! It's so funny that I got that pattern today! I thought I clicked (and I think I still did--have to check) on the java blue, which I really like.
Okay, gotta go!
By the way, I don't know if there are any Vera Bradley "stores." They are sold here in our Merle Normand store.
Just read an article about a Texas jail that was closed down because some cells had recliners in them and some cells and bathrooms could be locked FROM THE INSIDE! WTF???
I think it would be more interesting to have Tina blog about her 69 fetish than about my purses lol!!
Mary LMAO!!
You guys are all nuts! LOL
Customer service has gone out the window.
Lani incompetence at the doctors office drives me crazy and No I don't go away.
Zona you know how I feel about cellphones I think I would have had to slap that phone out of his hand. At the very least he would have been putting my grossries away!
How crazy has our world become?
Lani and MEK feel better soon!
Sandie I just love that you got the night owls by surprise! LOL
I have a new obsession and I am thinking about writing a blog but need to let it perk through my brain first.
Bebbi I am so jealous! I did not gain any weight this holiday season but I sure as hell did not loose any either. sigh
Ok back to being a couch potato. I bet that is why I haven't lost any weight! LOL
'weenie: I can't think of really rude servicepeople at the moment. My big run in with getting service was once when I made a credit card payment, and the payment didn't get credited to my account. OMG... the runaround I got was incredible, with one department after another claiming that it wasn't THEIR fault, it was the OTHER department's fault. I had to get to pretty senior management before I got my issue resolved.
EBJ: Congrats on the second march in a row that produced a "happy ending"! LOL!
Sandi- The town next door has a Merle Norman and they carry the Vera Bradley purses.
My sister is a big Vera Bradley fan.
I was, 88, yeah, I love that number.
I was going to blog, but I am too dull witted after my 5 hour nap. I am reading your posts and you are making me laugh.
I called SLIN and she finally made some excuse, to get me off the phone, like her refrigerator or something was calling her. :)
Everyone have a good evening and wake up in good health and lots of yellow, and I mean the good kind.
Well folks..here we go again!!
Today we were at the mall, standing between the Zippo lighter kiosk and the booth for the most revolutionary new hand cream evah! I decided I'd had enough of the first floor and wanted to go up to the second. Now, there was an elevator, escalator and a staircase all within just a few yards of where we were standing. For some goofy Zona reason, eventhough I have a bad knee...I wanted to take the stairs. I didn't want to just walk up them either..I wanted to RUN!! If you should ever meet me, smack me for this decision, ok?? Mr. Z looked at me like I was crazy, which I took as a challenge..and off I went. I did wonderfully..well for ME anyway, until the last few steps. Some kids were running down the stairs towards me and I zigged while my knee zagged. "@#%$^%&*%!!" Mr. Z helped me up and I had to hop on one foot over to a bench..and then hop to the elevator..and hop out to the car. I could just kick myself...well now I can't, but if I could I would. Sheesh! How stupid was that?? By the looks I was getting while hopping through the mall..pretty darn dumb!!
Good evening feathered friends!
Great stories today and thank you for them ;)
SCIRISH...I know what you mean about script refills. A couple of years ago I ran out of my bp pills. I called in the refill in plenty of time and it was never at the pharmacy. I was livid. I drove over to the docs office and the receptionist told me, like you, I had to be seen before he would write a new script. And he could see me 6 days later! WTF? I went balisitic!! I started yelling at her that if I have a stroke in those 6 days it would be on her head! And when I called it in, why did they not call and tell me I needed an appointment. Well, she told me to wait a moment and she came back with a script for 6 pills!! I didn't have a stroke!!!
ZONA...omg! I hope you know I am laughing with you, not at you...even if you're not laughing at the moment! I hope your knee feels better soon.
Zona Well, at least you got up to the top before it all went bad. I'm not young enough or optimistic enough to have even given it a try. Are you icing it?
MARYinMI...don't even get me started on the outsourcing! I have a novel I could write on that one! I pay U.S dollars for the service, I want to talk to someone in the U.S! If I paid in Rupee's then I wouldn't mind speaking to someone in India!!
wth...96
for MEK..97
For ZONA's knee...98
for our blog mistress...99
for, ummm, meeee...100
Mo, I tried to type 100, but I was foaded!
woo hoo!
Good marching, Moweeeeenieeeee!!!
ITEACH...sorry to run you over
Good night Lani!
Zona, dear, how are you feeling now?
That is okay, I have a lot of cushion to fall on!
BRB
MO: It's ok to laugh...geez..it was so dumb!
J/LIN: I'm not young enough either..which I should all ready know. I bet what seemed like a mad dash to the top for me, was really more of a lumbering, fast walk to everyone else!! ;)
I do have ice on and off of it..15m on 15 off..brrrr..
gee, I haven't marched in a lonnnnnng time! it was fun. Hmmm, maybe I lost a tenth of an ounce!
ITEACH...I'll see your cushion and raise you two!
ITEACH: I'm ok..just a nonpleasant kind of throbbing going on. ;)
MO: Congrats on 100! My knee thanks you for 98! lol...
Hi BEAR! Hi MARY!
I have been doing some deep thinking about why I have gained weight and why I can't seem to stick to a diet.
I think I'm on to something.
It is kind of personal, but I just wanted to share that I'm on to something. If that makes any sense at all.
testing my new avatar!
ITEACH...it makes perfect sense. Good luck in your quest.
LynnD:
Congrats on 1
Tina:
You crack me up.. I guess 69 is the new 2 :O)
Mo:
Thanks for todays blog.. I am finding daily that customer service is actually no longer. I feel I am in a fight everytime I have to get something done. What surprises me the most, is I don't know when this started, I remember days long ago, when customer service was a priority, and know no more..
When you ask someone a question, they either stutter or have no idea of the answer.. Even tho you are asking them a question about their product.
I am really at a loss.. And when I do get someone that is nice and helpful, I thank them 500 times, cause I am just so grateful, I was able to find someone nice..
Shame, really...
BTW.. my Walgreens does not have a public bathroom as well, I learned the hard way.. :O)
Lets just say.. I got in my car and made it home it 15seconds.. Just in Time!!!!!
:O)
I want to thank...
Tina, Mo, Just_Lin, Zona, Bebbi, EBJ, for answering my plea and sending me blogs..
We have a great week of blogs.. And they are all different..
Fun!
Thank you all so very much...
Crap...
Forgot Whabby...
Thanks to you too..
:O)
iteach~ Good luck with your "aha" moment! I need one too!
Mo, How did you guess they were from India lol!!
Zona honey! Ride the freekin' elevator next time!! Come to Mich. and dip your knee in our icy snow, yup that'll work lol!!
Hi Whabbear!
OK,I forget, who in here is the ms expert? I tried to change my background and got completely confused! All those weird icons in my profile! I forget what is what...help!
Iteach:
It makes perfect sense.. It is a daily struggle no matter what the reason..
I have gained as well..
Zona:
My dear one...
"Back away from the steps"
:O)
I will be back.. I have to finish setting up the blogs..
Mo:
I have been meaning to comment on the Hell Hole party...
Glad you did not go...
Kudos!
Tinka:
Thanks for enjoying my videos that I posted over the new year celebration..
I loved Julie Andrews the most, she was so pretty, and her voice and the time was amazing..
BTW, I just checked my Dec. cc statement, guess what? The last cruise payment had been taken out on 12/22/08, the day she(travel agent) called the first time! I sent her a fast email telling her of her mistake! She better not double bill me!
I am sure the sweet travel agents on this blog would never do such a thing! :+)
Oh my, I feel so bad for the Travolta family, losing their son..
I tend to think he was autistic, He had those eyes, that far away look, just as my cousins son does, and one of my friends son.
It is said in Scientology that they don't recongize mental illness, as well as not treating it properly, they feel mental illness can be prevented and is just part of ones personality. I think that is why the Travoltas have never admitted that Jett was
autistic.
I found this tidbit on the net..
Elli Perkins, another adherent to Scientology's beliefs regarding psychiatry was stabbed to death by her mentally disturbed son. Though he had begun to show symptoms of schizophrenia as early as 2001, the Perkins family chose not to seek psychiatric help and opted instead for remedies sanctioned by Scientology. Her death at the hands of a disturbed family member whose disease could have been treated by the methods and medications banned by Scientology again raised questions in the media about its methods.
And all I keep thinking about is Tom Cruise and Matt Lauer, when Tom
practically bit of Matt's head, when Matt was talking to him about medications needed in certain circumstances.. And Tom going on a rant how meds are not needed...
I will tell you this.. My SSO is on antidepressants and these meds have saved his life. He is a different person from 10 yrs ago. These meds are truly a godsend..
And even Rosie always talks about how these meds saved her as well..
BTW.. I am going to miss her.. Geez a whole year without Rosie..
Mary:
To be honest I have been known to make a mistake or two.. :O)
However with payments on cruises you contact the cruise directly, so if it is paid when she calls them or goes online to pay, she will see that it has been paid.. She should not be able to double bill as the your cruise record will show a zero balance..
And if she double bill you, she did not look at the cruise record or the confirmation we get from the cruise line when we pay in full..
Hope this helps..
Carol,understand what you are saying. It is sad when parents can't see beyond their own beliefs when it comes to their children. I can respect their religion, but not the anti medical treatment BS. MHO
Mary,
Thanks for the comment on my blog on ms.. Isn't that song/singer fantastic, I listen to it every chance I get...
Perfection!
Carol, thanks for the cruise pmt. info. It was helpful. MUAH!!
Mary,
You are quite welcome, any other questions, just let me know...
:O)
Ronnie:
Where r u we have to change your avatar.. I think the drucken fly has def had enough, we have to send him/her to rehab... lol
Carol, ditto on your autism comment.
It has bugged me all day that their belief doesn't believe in autism and they don't treat it.
I work with autistic children and I saw it in his eyes too.
Carol, she was amazing! I would have loved to have seen the whole contest!
I wonder if they have loonies show up there too!
Oops..
Thanks to iteach as well.. for adding to the blogs..
Mary:
You can actually watch this season of xfactor on you tube, I watched a lot of the season, and Alexandra's
performance was the best...
In the search box (of youtube) just type in x factor alexandra burke and they all come up..
Oh wow, thanks Carol! I will check it out.
Iteach:
Glad you agree as well. and yes its in the eyes..
I saw just recently on TV, the Travolta family getting into a car I guess after dinner or something. And you can see Jetts face, which was expressionless. His parents were holding both his hands as they walked to the car.. How many 16yr olds do you see with the parents holding his hand to get in a car..
Very Sad
Mary:
Make sure you see the one with Alexandra singing with Beyonce..
It is terrific..
Mary:
I agree, I respect anyone's religion as well.. But meds should not be part of it...
Good evening dear hooters!
Zona, oh man! I feel for ya. Try some ibuprofen too, that should help (if you can take it).
Today we went to the vet clinic to pick up some stuff for Paula. There is a receptionist there who is usually VERY unpleasant. In fact I almost wrote a letter about her, it is kind of hard for me to write about, but I'll just say that she was very unprofessional and unsympathetic when I took Lilly in for euthanasia.
MR. EBJ and I always wonder how someone like that can work in a vet clinic, always so sour and unpleasant. She just seemed to hate her job and all the people who came in.
Well, the last couple times we have been in there she has been AMAZINGLY friendly!
I stopped in there the week before last to get Paula's special "renal" kitty food. They were out of it, so this gal comes back with a huge zip-lock bag full of the food, telling me their shipment had not come in, but she was giving me some of theirs to hold us over til they got it.
She gave it to me for free! I offered to pay for it (it is not cheap, $26.60 for a 5 1/2 lb. bag). She said oh no, just take it.
Today she was very nice on the phone, I called ahead to see if the food was in, also to pick up some bags of the fluid we give her.
We drove over and I went in, she was SOOOO nice to me! She asked me how Paula is doing! Told me to have a nice weekend! I came out to the car and told MR. EBJ that someone must have complained about her, as she has been nice to us the last times we've called or stopped in.
She actually smiles!
So I wanted to share that today, since our blog topic is about customer service.
There is always hope!
JL and Whab, wouldn't it be something if I get 69 tomorrow too? Yowzzaaa.
I am not going to be home most of the day, so some other lucky person will probably get it!
When I was 16, I kinda of stayed like 7 steps away from my parents. lol
EBJ, I'm so glad it went well!
Good night everyone!
iteach:
Exactly!
Good nite iteach, sleep well...
Goonight Iteach! Sweet dreams!
Goodnight iteach!
Hi EBJ! YAY for the mood change!
I am leaving too. See you all tomorrow, probably after the first 69ner lol!!
Nite nite Mary! Sweet dreas to you, too!
Hello Owls.
I have been in bed most of the day. Can you catch an illness from a cyber contact? I think I have whatever MEK has or had. My head hurts and I am coughing and by dose is all stuffed ub.
I hope you are all having a better day than I am.
Mo, I agree that in so many instances customer service is non-existent, However at the grossry store I go to, there is always someone around to ask and when I ask for the location of something, they even take me there. It is very refreshing and that's why I keep going back there.
Zona, What the hell were you thinking? Always take the elevator! P.S. I hope you have been playing with your new toy.
Goldie, Glad you got the charges credited back to your account, but they still should have called you to let you know.
Waving a weak wing at everyone else. cough-cough I'm going back to bed. Have a good Sunday everyone.
150
sacBarb - i am SO sorry that you are sick....... hope you are better soon.
zona - hope your knee is better soon.....
waving howdy to all........
and Good Nite........
i hope everyone has an excellent Sunday!
:-)
this is freaky.....i was emailing a friend....and we were talking about the same exact things regarding the Travolta's~
lynn d~ congrats on first~
Mo~ great blog~ I've been trying to think of customer disservice examples.....but all i can think of are the asshole customers i get yelled at by. Honestly, we had a computer problem at work this week.....it caused problems for some of our customers....and we have no immediate fix....those people have a reason to bitch and they were the nicest customers i had! THEN i get yelled at for things that are completely ridiculous~ I know that a lot of companies now have limits for how long their agents can be on the phones for each phone call taken. Many people feel that they are being rushed off the phones.....well they are....because the agent will run the risk of getting fired if they don't meet the "numbers"~ This is a result of customers not wanting to talk to people in other countries and the cost of paying the agents in the U.S.~ So frustrating~
i love the people at my grocery store....they are always helful~ And my burger place....and Roberts Crafts....and omg....when I call T-Mobile....I LOVE THOSE PEOPLE!!!!~
TINA...trust me...I know how rude and obnoxious some customers can be. They know you can't tell them off, so they have a captive audience to take their frustrations out on! i try to be a good customer ater all my years on the other side of the counter.
Are you in Cali?
NN~ I know it was early.....i was still asleep....didn't know what i was saying~ (doing!)
MoJo~ yes.....i'm in Cali~ and it had the nerve to rain on me!!!! but that's okay.....i left the snow and ice~ :D
Bebbi~ I think i know where your weight went!!! just sayin'~ :(
LynnD~ omg.....i used to work for a place that used numbers....but people would forget to get one....so i got good at keeping track of who was next. Now when I go someplace and the salesperson doesn't know who is next.....I speak up and tell them in order!!! :D
scirish~ omg....lmao at needing to vacuum~ :D
Lani~ what's foreplay?
J/L~ my aim is always way off~ :)~
Zona~ in SoCal, the msg boards on the freeways that are supposed to be used for accidents or amber alerts had msgs today about not texting while driving..."IT'S THE LAW!"
J/L~ Talk about "Slam, bam, thank you, Ma'am"! LOL....hell honey....I wish....i had to run to catch a flight...that was delayed~ :D
mary/mi~ i love bingo~ :)~ AND I love that meal....so yummy~
oh....and no 69 blog~ wait.....let me think about that~
168~
1-69~
oh yeah...i'll definitely think about it~ :D
Re: Jett Travolta. I heard on the news that when he was a baby he got a very rare brain infection, the name of which I can't remember, and nearly died. I think that may have caused the problem.
Zona~ I've been trying to decide between Stairs, Elevator, and Escalator......i finally decided.......stay on the first floor! We know what happens on the stairs......what if you got in the elevator and the doors closed on you? And what if you got on the escalator and it stopped suddenly and you fell? yup....first floor~ :)~
j/lin:
I do believe it waw Kawasaki Disease, and it usually affects children 5 and under. It is an immune system disease. When treated early there us usually NO lasting effects. But they continued to blame his seizures on that disease.
Mo: I have not read the blog yet, just skimmed the comments...but customer service has for the most part tanked. I know it is also lacking in Hawaii, but being here on the mainland right now, I have to say that I love the ALOHA spirit....most everyone is pleasant and giving and it mainly cultural I think....
Kgrl I'm certainly no doctor, but there had to be a reason why he continued to have seizures.
j/lin
I am not making any excuses....I guess what I am saying is they may have hidden or not recognized possible Autism or another disorder because it was easier to blame something "treatable" and not Mentally related.
Whatever way you look at it, it is a tragic situation. I can't even imagine the loss of a child.
Good night, Night Owls!
1st
Is it Sunday yet? Carol will be sending me to rehab soon, but I did enjoy my four day drunk. Ha!
Good morning to all of you....
If you let me be 1st, in a little while, I'll share my mushroom omelet with you.
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