For all the bitching done about America this is one thing America does best - GoFuckYourself.com

Sarah_Jayne · 08-23-2006, 09:46 AM

Customer service..seriously. I just had to call my American bank because my card got flagged for unusual activity. That happens to me now and then because I live in the UK and they wonder what is going on when I am using the card there.

I called my local branch back home and had wonderful customer service and the problem was solved within five minutes and everyone was polite, etc. If I had called my local UK bank branch they would have snarled through the whole process.

TurboAngel · 08-23-2006, 09:47 AM

I hate to say it but you just got lucky.

;)

Sarah_Jayne · 08-23-2006, 09:48 AM

Nope..everytime I go home I am amazed by how I notice the whole 'service with a smile' thing. Even the grumpy people are less grumpy.

TurboAngel · 08-23-2006, 09:49 AM

It's cuz you have that sexy British accent hun! You do have one right?

Mr. Romance · 08-23-2006, 09:50 AM

Yet another great money making banking strategy?Bank of America pulled this scam on me all the time in 2003..Its simple, they are holding the funds of million of account holders and making points on your money. I am sure it was a debit card as mine was. They held my own money all the time..

The only people that make money in banks are the people that own them.

Mr. Romance

GlydeGirl · 08-23-2006, 09:52 AM

I completely agree with you Sarah! America is fantastic for customer service; whenever I make a call to an American company, I get to talk to a real person within seconds, my issues are always solved immediately and to my complete satisfaction, and I feel genuinely appreciated as a customer.

In Canada, it's practically impossible to reach a real person, and when you do finally get somebody on the phone, they act as if they are doing you a HUGE favour just by talking to you and often will just make an excuse as to why they can't help you with your situation.

It's a true pleasure doing business with Americans!

Sarah_Jayne · 08-23-2006, 09:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Romance

Yet another great money making banking strategy?Bank of America pulled this scam on me all the time in 2003..Its simple, they are holding the funds of million of account holders and making points on your money. I am sure it was a debit card as mine was. They held my own money all the time..

The only people that make money in banks are the people that own them.

Mr. Romance

Yup, debit card. It happens every few months and usually when I have just been paid. The branch people have nothing to do with it and are always happy to unblock it. Really annoying that it just happens though. I would rather they called me or something than for me to find out at the till.

Sarah_Jayne · 08-23-2006, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurboAngel

It's cuz you have that sexy British accent hun! You do have one right?

not at all...i use British words but still sound like I am from PA

TheLegacy · 08-23-2006, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaskTVMaura

I completely agree with you Sarah! America is fantastic for customer service; whenever I make a call to an American company, I get to talk to a real person within seconds, my issues are always solved immediately and to my complete satisfaction, and I feel genuinely appreciated as a customer.

In Canada, it's practically impossible to reach a real person, and when you do finally get somebody on the phone, they act as if they are doing you a HUGE favour just by talking to you and often will just make an excuse as to why they can't help you with your situation.

It's a true pleasure doing business with Americans!

for the most part - though I am with cibc and royal bank - they have great client service and I often get calls asking how their service was the last time I visited. yet.. other banks I walk away from.

NickPapageorgio · 08-23-2006, 10:00 AM

Drive through a wendy's pick-up window and that whole customer service thing takes on a whole new dimension.

"Whatchoo mean we fo-got yo fries...pfft"

While I agree, it is much easier to talk to an American and have them understand what you are trying to say (if you are an American vs. trying to talk to an outsourced phone guy in India...grrr), customer server worldwide is garbage. Once in a while you'll find a jewel in the dung heap but they are few and very far between.

Mr. Romance · 08-23-2006, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarah_webinc

Yup, debit card. It happens every few months and usually when I have just been paid. The branch people have nothing to do with it and are always happy to unblock it. Really annoying that it just happens though. I would rather they called me or something than for me to find out at the till.

Yeah they would flag my account for "Radical spending" when I shared my concept above with my branch manager, she had nothing to say...Anyway I was living in Manahattan Beach Cali at the time and one night I was on a date and she had to pay for the dinner...

Mr. Romance

Paul Markham · 08-23-2006, 10:05 AM

OK so I'm old and crabby, plus being English very cynical.

When I do business with Americans it's fine. BUT!!! when I go for a meal and this grinning fool tells me his name and that he will be my server and is there anything he can do for me..........

I feel like saying, "Deliver what I ordered, within 30 minutes, hot and refrain from wiping it around you arse and we will get on fine"

I always stop myself though.

Then they tell me, as I'm leaving, to have a nice day, to which I reply "I will have a nicer day if you stop grinning like a Cheshire cat."

It's the insincerity of it all that gets me. I would rather the honesty of the English. "We're on minimum wage, we don't have any ambition and we don't give a fuck if you buy anything or not".

mikeyddddd · 08-23-2006, 10:13 AM

Good customer service was once considered an asset by most American businesses.

Now there are many that consider it as a cost which must be controlled, so they have outsourced the function. Those who have will one day wake up and wonder where their market share went.

Consider yourself fortunate that your bank has kept customer service in-house. If you are real lucky, they will keep it that way.

Sarah_Jayne · 08-23-2006, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul Markham

OK so I'm old and crabby, plus being English very cynical.

When I do business with Americans it's fine. BUT!!! when I go for a meal and this grinning fool tells me his name and that he will be my server and is there anything he can do for me..........

I feel like saying, "Deliver what I ordered, within 30 minutes, hot and refrain from wiping it around you arse and we will get on fine"

I always stop myself though.

Then they tell me, as I'm leaving, to have a nice day, to which I reply "I will have a nicer day if you stop grinning like a Cheshire cat."

It's the insincerity of it all that gets me. I would rather the honesty of the English. "We're on minimum wage, we don't have any ambition and we don't give a fuck if you buy anything or not".

I would take a little bit of a fake smile over treating the customer like crap. I love the UK but it wouldn't hurt counter staff or the like to smile now and then. The people in the same jobs in the States are in just as crappy an environment.

Sarah_Jayne · 08-23-2006, 10:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyddddd

Good customer service was once considered an asset by most American businesses.

Now there are many that consider it as a cost which must be controlled, so they have outsourced the function. Those who have will one day wake up and wonder where their market share went.

Consider yourself fortunate that your bank has kept customer service in-house. If you are real lucky, they will keep it that way.

Trust me, people in the UK know about outsourced customer service. Especially with the banks.

Paul Markham · 08-23-2006, 10:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyddddd

Good customer service was once considered an asset by most American businesses.

Now there are many that consider it as a cost which must be controlled, so they have outsourced the function. Those who have will one day wake up and wonder where their market share went.

Consider yourself fortunate that your bank has kept customer service in-house. If you are real lucky, they will keep it that way.

Tell me about it. I phoned the operator in Orange County CA, to get the emergency number for UK Visa Card. My US bank did not know it.

In the beginning the girl kept telling me to go to my long distance provider, I told her she was my long distance provider. She then put me through to some one else and I knew something was wrong.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
I was speaking to someone who cared, really cared, who tried to find out the answer, who spoke to her supervisor, who also tried to find out and also cared. They both spoke Excellent English. They were in Bombay.

I eventually solved the problem, Eva phoned information in Czech. They gave her the info in seconds.

Kevsh · 08-23-2006, 10:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarah_webinc

Nope..everytime I go home I am amazed by how I notice the whole 'service with a smile' thing. Even the grumpy people are less grumpy.

They're happy because they're brainwashed.
They honestly believe at $4.20 an hour and dealing with the "public", they've got it made in the shade.

jayeff · 08-23-2006, 10:30 AM

Obviously Dell and EPassporte must not be considered American companies any more... along with Netflix, DirectTV and a bunch of others to whom "customer service" is an apparently meaningless concept.

Sarah, I think you have to distinguish between businesses which still routinely let you talk to people and those which have put up a barrier to keep the customer at arm's length. With banks of both countries, I have always found it easy to speak to people who are courteous and helpful. That said, due mainly to minor glitches, I have probably needed to talk to my bank here more often over the last 10 years, than I needed to talk to banks in the UK during the previous 30. In fact, I cannot actually remember ever having a problem with a UK bank.

As to restaurants, I agree with Paul. I prefer good service, but if I can't get that, I will take sullen disinterest over fake hospitality any day. At least it is honest. And I really don't want to tell a supermarket cashier how I am today...

Sarah_Jayne · 08-23-2006, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevsh

They're happy because they're brainwashed.
They honestly believe at $4.20 an hour and dealing with the "public", they've got it made in the shade.

Pah..I worked the candy stand at a cinema for a few years during high school and college. I knew I was getting crap money and my feet hurt like hell from halfway through the shift. However, I knew my life was easier if I smiled and was nice to customers.

tranza · 08-23-2006, 10:52 AM

You probably talked to someone in India.

baddog · 08-23-2006, 10:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurboAngel

I hate to say it but you just got lucky.

;)

Maybe you should change banks. I never have a problem with mine that can't be resolved with one phone call.

Pete-KT · 08-23-2006, 10:56 AM

My bank has excelent customer service, Most banks do sometimes you get an asshole

Drake · 08-23-2006, 11:00 AM

Mine has excellent service as well.

frank7799 · 08-23-2006, 11:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarah_webinc

Nope..everytime I go home I am amazed by how I notice the whole 'service with a smile' thing. Even the grumpy people are less grumpy.

I second this. Except the custoer service of some adult sponsors. But generally speaking, customer service is amazing in the US.

free4porn · 08-23-2006, 11:02 AM

Most call centers are in India!

Sarah_Jayne · 08-23-2006, 11:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tranza

You probably talked to someone in India.

Nope, a good old Quakertownian

czarina · 08-23-2006, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TurboAngel

I hate to say it but you just got lucky.

;)

Sorry to dis agree, but the CS inside the US, is usually the best. They actually speak your language, and you dont have to have them repeat the statment 10 times, and they get the job done.

I have the same thing happen with my bank from time to time. I live in Mexico, and my bank is in the US. They call me about 1 time ever 3 or 4 weeks to verify a purchase. I usually hang up, and call them back just to be on the safe side. Once I asked them why they dont just make notes on the account, and they said they would rather make the long distance call, and have my account secure!

Sly · 08-23-2006, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevsh

They're happy because they're brainwashed.
They honestly believe at $4.20 an hour and dealing with the "public", they've got it made in the shade.

People are brainwashed because they are required, as part of their job, to be friendly to customers? LOL.

Actual businesses typically have decent customer service, they have to, there's too much competition. If my bank treats me like shit I'll have no problem strolling across the street and giving my money to a different bank. It isn't being "fake", its being polite, there is no reason to be rude to someone you're dealing with. And often enough, the person is a very friendly type to begin with, so it isn't as fake as it may seem.

Here's the perfect way to see the difference (I've actually had many discussions about this). Go to an American Restaurant owned by second generation Americans, the service is great. Very polite, always there to help out, they fill your drinks before you even ask. Then go to a foreign Restaurant (in the United States) owned by immigrant families, say a sushi place, and the service is absolutely horrible. You practically have to beg to get your order taken. You see your server 3 times throughout the meal; taking your order, delivering your food, delivering your bill.

scottybuzz · 08-23-2006, 11:53 AM

america also are nice in the streets, people will smile at you who dont know you. in england its like everyone is missing the muscles to make them smile

DaLord · 08-23-2006, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarah_webinc

Customer service..seriously. I just had to call my American bank because my card got flagged for unusual activity. That happens to me now and then because I live in the UK and they wonder what is going on when I am using the card there.

I called my local branch back home and had wonderful customer service and the problem was solved within five minutes and everyone was polite, etc. If I had called my local UK bank branch they would have snarled through the whole process.

I amazed how many banks you must have tried throughout the world to be able to make that statement

Sarah_Jayne · 08-23-2006, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaLord

I amazed how many banks you must have tried throughout the world to be able to make that statement

Well, I am not saying it is limited to banks but that was just the way I used customer service today. I have used a lot of banks in the UK to be able to compare. However, it is a general issue from the person at the supermarket check out to the person in the call centre. I am sure ther are places in other countries that do it well to but in my own experience of traveling around North America and Europe and dealing with countries all over the world through the internet I generally find the attitude of those providing customer service in the United States to be one that remembers the 'service' bit of the title.

justsexxx · 08-23-2006, 01:09 PM

Wait untill your banks outsource the helpdesk;-)

Webby · 08-23-2006, 01:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sarah_webinc

Customer service..seriously. I just had to call my American bank because my card got flagged for unusual activity. That happens to me now and then because I live in the UK and they wonder what is going on when I am using the card there.

I called my local branch back home and had wonderful customer service and the problem was solved within five minutes and everyone was polite, etc. If I had called my local UK bank branch they would have snarled through the whole process.

Inclined to agree Sarah.

The US service industry, generally, is good in comparison to several other countries (and sure agree about the UK).

The ultimate test of the service industry is in asking anything out of the ordinary, for which, there may be no programmed response

Had to use this a few times and still think the US came out good.

Can't say which country may be top of the league - prob may be the US, - but there are several areas where customer service is OK - tho sure would not include the UK in that category

Kevsh · 08-23-2006, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sly

People are brainwashed because they are required, as part of their job, to be friendly to customers?

Hey, I was making a tongue-in-cheek comment for the most part, but it is true that some of your "brands" down there really go for the Rah Rah. Pre-store opening cheering, motivating sessions where everyone joins in chanting (think of those sideline dances football teams do, same idea).

People flipping burgers for minimum wage actually proud of it ... not teenagers, adults! The companies do a really good job in making them feel like part of the "winning team". Hence, the pleasant smiles and my brainwashed comments.

But again, I'm not talking about ALL happy employees, but certainly America leads the way in motivating employees. And everyone is so touchy-feely now (canada too) they don't even say "Areas of Improvement" on performance reports ... it's "Opportunities".

I'd like to see companies actually treating employees as mature human beings rather than coddling them .. a little off-topic, sorry

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sly

Go to an American Restaurant owned by second generation Americans, the service is great. Very polite, always there to help out, they fill your drinks before you even ask. Then go to a foreign Restaurant (in the United States) owned by immigrant families, say a sushi place, and the service is absolutely horrible.

Wow, prejudice much?
;)

DWB · 08-23-2006, 01:45 PM

The USA is good, but not always the best. I have had some difficult moments with people of... um... another race, when I needed to get shit done. They are just too lazy to care many times and I ALWAYS gave to get a manager to get the job done.

Now, the best thing to do is call and ask right for the manager. To hell with the piss-ants.

Webby · 08-23-2006, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kevsh

But again, I'm not talking about ALL happy employees, but certainly America leads the way in motivating employees. And everyone is so touchy-feely now (canada too) they don't even say "Areas of Improvement" on performance reports ... it's "Opportunities".

Sadly.. true. It's brainwashing and propaganda. Who else would work for peanuts, live off extended credit and keep a smile on their faces? Unreal. It's also not a joke - serious stuff when folks believe the bullshit.

Love the change of status from "Areas of Improvement" to "Opportunities"

ChandieGirl · 08-23-2006, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaskTVMaura

I completely agree with you Sarah! America is fantastic for customer service; whenever I make a call to an American company, I get to talk to a real person within seconds, my issues are always solved immediately and to my complete satisfaction, and I feel genuinely appreciated as a customer.

In Canada, it's practically impossible to reach a real person, and when you do finally get somebody on the phone, they act as if they are doing you a HUGE favour just by talking to you and often will just make an excuse as to why they can't help you with your situation.

It's a true pleasure doing business with Americans!

Actually, interestingly enough, it is only INTERNATIONAL American companies that I have luck with. Don't even dare try to lodge a complaint about a local retailer. VERY rarely do you get any sort of satisfaction. More often, you get a response that is basically an f* u!

08-23-2006, 09:46 AM	#1
Sarah_Jayne Now with more Jayne Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 40,077	For all the bitching done about America this is one thing America does best Customer service..seriously. I just had to call my American bank because my card got flagged for unusual activity. That happens to me now and then because I live in the UK and they wonder what is going on when I am using the card there. I called my local branch back home and had wonderful customer service and the problem was solved within five minutes and everyone was polite, etc. If I had called my local UK bank branch they would have snarled through the whole process.

08-23-2006, 09:50 AM	#5
Mr. Romance The Face of Romance and the Symbol of Freedom Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: The America's Posts: 7,821	Yet another great money making banking strategy?Bank of America pulled this scam on me all the time in 2003..Its simple, they are holding the funds of million of account holders and making points on your money. I am sure it was a debit card as mine was. They held my own money all the time.. The only people that make money in banks are the people that own them. Mr. Romance __________________ Free Leads Program now paying up to $6 Gerard-Director of Global Sales Sign up Here: CamStarCash Check out: FreeCamStars ICQ: 330 662 299 gerard at freecamstars . com

08-23-2006, 10:00 AM	#10
NickPapageorgio Confirmed User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NC Posts: 8,323	Drive through a wendy's pick-up window and that whole customer service thing takes on a whole new dimension. "Whatchoo mean we fo-got yo fries...pfft" While I agree, it is much easier to talk to an American and have them understand what you are trying to say (if you are an American vs. trying to talk to an outsourced phone guy in India...grrr), customer server worldwide is garbage. Once in a while you'll find a jewel in the dung heap but they are few and very far between. __________________

08-23-2006, 10:05 AM	#12
Paul Markham Too old to care Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: On the sofa, watching TV or doing my jigsaws. Posts: 52,943	OK so I'm old and crabby, plus being English very cynical. When I do business with Americans it's fine. BUT!!! when I go for a meal and this grinning fool tells me his name and that he will be my server and is there anything he can do for me.......... I feel like saying, "Deliver what I ordered, within 30 minutes, hot and refrain from wiping it around you arse and we will get on fine" I always stop myself though. Then they tell me, as I'm leaving, to have a nice day, to which I reply "I will have a nicer day if you stop grinning like a Cheshire cat." It's the insincerity of it all that gets me. I would rather the honesty of the English. "We're on minimum wage, we don't have any ambition and we don't give a fuck if you buy anything or not". __________________ Blowout deal. 880 videos, 2,400 image sets, plus many RAW videos. $500. PM me for a deal. Skype Paulmarkham70

08-23-2006, 10:13 AM	#13
mikeyddddd Viva la vulva! Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: you can't please everyone, so you got to please yourself Posts: 16,557	Good customer service was once considered an asset by most American businesses. Now there are many that consider it as a cost which must be controlled, so they have outsourced the function. Those who have will one day wake up and wonder where their market share went. Consider yourself fortunate that your bank has kept customer service in-house. If you are real lucky, they will keep it that way. __________________ AdultStarProfits AmbyaCash AnilosCash AzianiGold ColdHardCash FlashTheMoney IdolBucks MediumPimpin NSCash Nubiles PussyCash ScoreCash Sextronix SpunkyCash TubeTitans Twistys

08-23-2006, 09:47 AM	#2
TurboAngel H.B.I.C. Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: NC Posts: 30,122	I hate to say it but you just got lucky. ;)

08-23-2006, 09:48 AM	#3
Sarah_Jayne Now with more Jayne Industry Role: Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 40,077	Nope..everytime I go home I am amazed by how I notice the whole 'service with a smile' thing. Even the grumpy people are less grumpy.

08-23-2006, 09:49 AM	#4
TurboAngel H.B.I.C. Industry Role: Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: NC Posts: 30,122	It's cuz you have that sexy British accent hun! You do have one right?

08-23-2006, 09:52 AM	#6
GlydeGirl Confirmed User Industry Role: Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 1,516	I completely agree with you Sarah! America is fantastic for customer service; whenever I make a call to an American company, I get to talk to a real person within seconds, my issues are always solved immediately and to my complete satisfaction, and I feel genuinely appreciated as a customer. In Canada, it's practically impossible to reach a real person, and when you do finally get somebody on the phone, they act as if they are doing you a HUGE favour just by talking to you and often will just make an excuse as to why they can't help you with your situation. It's a true pleasure doing business with Americans!

08-23-2006, 10:30 AM	#18
jayeff Confirmed User Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 2,944	Obviously Dell and EPassporte must not be considered American companies any more... along with Netflix, DirectTV and a bunch of others to whom "customer service" is an apparently meaningless concept. Sarah, I think you have to distinguish between businesses which still routinely let you talk to people and those which have put up a barrier to keep the customer at arm's length. With banks of both countries, I have always found it easy to speak to people who are courteous and helpful. That said, due mainly to minor glitches, I have probably needed to talk to my bank here more often over the last 10 years, than I needed to talk to banks in the UK during the previous 30. In fact, I cannot actually remember ever having a problem with a UK bank. As to restaurants, I agree with Paul. I prefer good service, but if I can't get that, I will take sullen disinterest over fake hospitality any day. At least it is honest. And I really don't want to tell a supermarket cashier how I am today... Last edited by jayeff; 08-23-2006 at 10:32 AM..

08-23-2006, 10:52 AM	#20
tranza ICQ: 197-556-237 Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: BRASIL !!! Posts: 57,559	You probably talked to someone in India. __________________ I'm just a newbie.

08-23-2006, 10:56 AM	#22
Pete-KT Workin With The Devil Industry Role: Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: West Bloomfield, MI Posts: 51,532	My bank has excelent customer service, Most banks do sometimes you get an asshole

08-23-2006, 11:00 AM	#23
Drake Hello world! Industry Role: Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 12,508	Mine has excellent service as well.

08-23-2006, 11:02 AM	#25
free4porn Confirmed User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 4,654	Most call centers are in India! __________________ Switch To Fling Now! I'm on 1:201 paid signups sending little traffic! Make $$$ Free Porn

08-23-2006, 11:53 AM	#29
scottybuzz Too lazy to set a custom title Industry Role: Join Date: May 2006 Location: NY Posts: 14,800	america also are nice in the streets, people will smile at you who dont know you. in england its like everyone is missing the muscles to make them smile __________________ $$$$$ MAKE HUGE MONEY IN CAMS - CLICK HERE $$$$$

08-23-2006, 01:09 PM	#32
justsexxx Too lazy to set a custom title Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 13,723	Wait untill your banks outsource the helpdesk;-) __________________ Questions? ICQ: 125184542

08-23-2006, 01:45 PM	#35
DWB Registered User Industry Role: Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Encrypted. Access denied. Posts: 31,779	The USA is good, but not always the best. I have had some difficult moments with people of... um... another race, when I needed to get shit done. They are just too lazy to care many times and I ALWAYS gave to get a manager to get the job done. Now, the best thing to do is call and ask right for the manager. To hell with the piss-ants.