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How not to do Customer Service

MartinF

New Shoots
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I 'm pleased to see that Steve M has had a positive experience with Customer Support from his bank.

My recent experience of Customer Support was somewhat different.

I recently made a, somewhat rare these days, visit to our local B&Q store a couple of days ago and, inadvertently, left my phone by the cash desk without realising. Having paid up, loaded the car and gone home, an hour or so later I realised what I had done. Just in case I’d dropped it elsewhere, and rather than make another 10 mile round trip, I thought I’d call first to check that it was actually there. So I rang the number shown the B&Q website. The chap that answered said that, no he wasn’t at the store but could help me. I said that I really needed to contact the store but he was adamant that he could help. I asked where he was based – South Africa. I commented that it was a bit bizarre that I needed to speak to South Africa in connection with a store 5 miles away. He initially refused to give me the store number but said that he would ring the store himself whilst I held on. Some 10 minutes later, he came back to say that he couldn’t get through so, reluctantly, gave me the local number. I then tried 3 times and let the phone ring for about 5 -10 minutes each time without getting an answer. So back I went and, after much confusion, my phone was eventually found. So all’s well in the end but a waste of a good few hours. B&Q has been, for many years, my wife’s least favourite shop. It’s now probably mine.
 
Sorry to hear that,, Martin. Glad you got your phone back though.

I was in my local supermarket just yesterday. Trolley full of shopping through the checkout. When I opened my wallet, I couldn't find my bank card and so couldn't pay.

I did, however, remember that I had last used it to put my car through the carwash the previous day. Bag and wallet in the car, card at the control panel, and then, of course, into the pocket of my jeans. My other jeans...
So I had to abandon my trolley,. I rang home and to my astonishment SWMBO answered ( ususally she doesn't, it's very frustrating). I had, indeed, left my card in my other trousers.
So another round trip (20 mins) and I could then pay for my shopping. But what if I'd gone to Limoges (90 mins), or even Bellac (nearly as far)?
Just one more example of me being less than compos mentis. :(
S
 
Sorry to hear that,, Martin. Glad you got your phone back though.

I was in my local supermarket just yesterday. Trolley full of shopping through the checkout. When I opened my wallet, I couldn't find my bank card and so couldn't pay.

I did, however, remember that I had last used it to put my car through the carwash the previous day. Bag and wallet in the car, card at the control panel, and then, of course, into the pocket of my jeans. My other jeans...
So I had to abandon my trolley,. I rang home and to my astonishment SWMBO answered ( ususally she doesn't, it's very frustrating). I had, indeed, left my card in my other trousers.
So another round trip (20 mins) and I could then pay for my shopping. But what if I'd gone to Limoges (90 mins), or even Bellac (nearly as far)?
Just one more example of me being less than compos mentis. :(
S

Might be different in France Steve but I forgot my wallet once, when I used to carry one which I don't these days and I asked the manager of the store to agree to my wife giving my card number over the 'phone. He wasn't enthusiastic but agreed that it could be done. It would have been a 40 mile round trip so I'd otherwise have just put the purchases back.

It is right that it's not the store's fault if a customer is forgetful however the practice of a central call contact and refusal to give individual store numbers is common and extremely frustrating.
 
They don't want to employ someone to answer the phone. I can understand it as it is just a cost for them.

I left my phone (with credit card in it) in a restaurant loo last year in Den Hague. (I hate having things in my pockets). Was 400 yards away before I realised and offspring had to sprint back to retrieve it. Was fine. I don't sprint. :cool:
 
Might be different in France Steve but I forgot my wallet once, when I used to carry one which I don't these days and I asked the manager of the store to agree to my wife giving my card number over the 'phone. He wasn't enthusiastic but agreed that it could be done. It would have been a 40 mile round trip so I'd otherwise have just put the purchases back.

It is right that it's not the store's fault if a customer is forgetful however the practice of a central call contact and refusal to give individual store numbers is common and extremely frustrating.
He was right to not be enthusiastic because if you were conning him with stolen card details then he picks up the tab.
 
He was right to not be enthusiastic because if you were conning him with stolen card details then he picks up the tab.
No different to buying something from a company using a credit card over the 'phone and that's how he viewed it.
I guess the fact I was happy to put some relatively expensive goods back and just leave was also a factor and in any case he had the reg number of my car which was parked outside, keys in my pocket so unless that was stolen as well...............
In any event if using a stolen credit card it would be simpler to just use it at the checkout. :unsure:
 
On the other hand, around ten years back I decided to burn some air miles and go to New York for a few days. My bag didn't arrive, so BA's service desk gave me a $200 prepaid card to buy a change of clothes and toiletries while I waited for it. Of course, being the USA, they didn't think I'd need the PIN for it.

While trying to use it, the POS system asked for the PIN. So we had a situation where I'm presenting a card that has no name on it, a PIN that I don't know, and absolutely no evidence that it wasn't extremely dodgy. So the salesperson decided to pretend I wasn't standing in front of him and had instead phoned up with an order, and pressed the 'cardholder not present' button. I can only assume he'd be getting his commission regardless and wouldn't have to pay for a chargeback.
 
On the other hand, around ten years back I decided to burn some air miles and go to New York for a few days. My bag didn't arrive, so BA's service desk gave me a $200 prepaid card to buy a change of clothes and toiletries while I waited for it. Of course, being the USA, they didn't think I'd need the PIN for it.

...
Crikey, they've improved then. When my bag failed to arrive, on the way to Cabo St Lucas, at San Jose airport ..there are 6 of them...I contacted BA and they said that I could claim $25 a day. I explained that the only clothes that I had were the ones that I was wearing, that at the hotel I was staying at $25 wouldn't even buy a toothbrush and, as a naturist, I was quite prepared to walk aroud just wearing an 'A board' saying 'BA lost my bags'. They immediately agreed to reimburse me for all reasonable expenses. :)

Actually I've used the naturist trick elsewhere to get a quieter room and told by reception that there were none available.;)
 
Crikey, they've improved then.
It probably had more to do with this being the time when I was flying all over for work, had an executive club gold card, and enough miles to book First. I'm quite sure I wouldn't get the same treatment today.
 
We're at cross-purposes here, Bob. I'm talking about the broader context - not your specific instance.
Yeah fair point.
The one thing that concerns me about Apple pay rather than a card is that there technically isn't an upper limit though I'd think retailers might be cautious if a large sum.
 
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