Bad Customer Service

[bryris]

Seems that every repair establishment I find is not willing to go out of way at all, doesn't return calls, answers e-mails with bad grammer and punctuation, and incomplete answers. I am having to adjust to just feeling like a number despite the near $100/hr rates being charged.

I've tried to talk to 4 different ones, all the same result.

I've got a guy coming out Monday to do repairs, but only because he was the first I called. No one else has even tried to win the job with any heart. I have over 2k of repairs to have done. They'd rather lose the job than try to accomodate my schedule by coming out on a Sat or meeting me at camper at 5:30pm.

Strange. Must be a very lucrative industry to just be able to pick and choose jobs. I think I am working in the wrong field.

[Allworth]

AuntSmurf,

Have you noticed that a lot of OPs only want answers that agree with their predetermined positions??

"If you won't agree with me, I'll take my keyboard and go in the backyard and eat worms!"

[All58Parks]

I have had several times over the last 15 years where I have declined a job because the customer insisted that the only time I could do it was on a weekend, even though it was not an "emergency" job. That's just when it fit their schedule better.

My family time it worth more to me then they are willing to pay.

[Bird_Freak]

The OP seems to think his schedule is more important than anyone else's from what I read. As a shop owner I would work around his schedule on my time off for double time.

[Bucky_Badger]

AuntSmurf wrote:
I know it's only been a couple of days, but does anybody else find it a bit strange that the OP hasn't responded to anyone's suggestions or questions?

No, it happens ALL the time

[AuntSmurf]

I know it's only been a couple of days, but does anybody else find it a bit strange that the OP hasn't responded to anyone's suggestions or questions?

[vic46]

bigdogger wrote:

bryris wrote:
Seems that every repair establishment I find is not willing to go out of way at all, doesn't return calls, answers e-mails with bad grammer and punctuation, and incomplete answers. I am having to adjust to just feeling like a number despite the near $100/hr rates being charged.

I've tried to talk to 4 different ones, all the same result.

I've got a guy coming out Monday to do repairs, but only because he was the first I called. No one else has even tried to win the job with any heart. I have over 2k of repairs to have done. They'd rather lose the job than try to accomodate my schedule by coming out on a Sat or meeting me at camper at 5:30pm.

Strange. Must be a very lucrative industry to just be able to pick and choose jobs. I think I am working in the wrong field.

If you are going to complain about bad "grammer", you should get the spelling correct. The proper spelling is "grammar". The sentence in which you complain about bad punctuation has poor sentence structure and an unnecessary comma. People who live in glass houses really need to be careful about throwing stones.
I would run from a business that quoted repairs sight-unseen over the phone or internet and I have no expectation or illusion that I am so important that they will change their work schedules to accommodate me.

AND THAT'S A FACT JACK!

The notion that any service facility should move heaven and earth for a single self centered clearly self idolizing individual is a new form of insanity. The choice between one unreasonable customer and the rest is certainly a no brainer. The complaint about BAD doesn't relate to the service but clearly to the customer.

[bigdogger]

bryris wrote:
Seems that every repair establishment I find is not willing to go out of way at all, doesn't return calls, answers e-mails with bad grammer and punctuation, and incomplete answers. I am having to adjust to just feeling like a number despite the near $100/hr rates being charged.

I've tried to talk to 4 different ones, all the same result.

I've got a guy coming out Monday to do repairs, but only because he was the first I called. No one else has even tried to win the job with any heart. I have over 2k of repairs to have done. They'd rather lose the job than try to accomodate my schedule by coming out on a Sat or meeting me at camper at 5:30pm.

Strange. Must be a very lucrative industry to just be able to pick and choose jobs. I think I am working in the wrong field.

If you are going to complain about bad "grammer", you should get the spelling correct. The proper spelling is "grammar". The sentence in which you complain about bad punctuation has poor sentence structure and an unnecessary comma. People who live in glass houses really need to be careful about throwing stones.
I would run from a business that quoted repairs sight-unseen over the phone or internet and I have no expectation or illusion that I am so important that they will change their work schedules to accommodate me.

[et2]

Dog Folks wrote:

Terryallan wrote:

Dog Folks wrote:
I was in a very non-glamorous service business for 30 years.

Look down at me, or feel superior, if you want, but at $100.00/hour back in the 80's,I got to pick and choose whom I worked for, and then laughed all the way to the bank.

Why would any one look down on a person that knows enough to help them with their problem? Trust me. IF I call you, I need you, and would be grateful for your help.

On another note. ANY honest job a person does that puts food on the table. Is an honorable job. No matter what. No one has the right to look down on a working man. I've done a lot of jobs, a lot of people prolly don't want to do. To feed my family. Proud to do it.

To the OP. It cost a lot less to take the RV to them. They charge extra to come to your house. And may not have the parts needed to fix your problem.

I agree but every once in a while a client acted as if he was better because he was paying me. You know the typical snob.

It was O.K. though, if they did this before billing, the price went up. Secondly,I never took their business again! That was fun. They told me I HAD to take their business! Surprise!

I had a service business years ago and never ran across people like that (snobs). All of my customers were happy to see me, and I appreciated their business. Of course since they're flipping the bill they would have some say how things were done. There were those who didn't pay as promised, but that's a different story.
I would think you would be able to weed out the snobs before even starting a job and not having to give yourself a bad reputation by playing games with the bill.


Maybe some service people hold themselves to a different standard, as I've certainly seen my share of those who don't listen very well and work done is not up to expected standards.

[pitch]

I do have a problem with lack of communication. My awning was subject to recall. I called Dometic they got my information and gave me a guys name and #. I called and spoke to his wife, she took the particulars and said as soon as they heard from Dometic they would set something up with me.
I heard nothing,3 days later a Dodge dually pulled into my drive, guy did not even come to the door just set up and went to work. If this had been Texas, I could have shot him.

The work he did was fine he was neat and clean,but I want to know what is going on before you pull into my drive.

[westend]

I operate a service business and a couple of things stand out, reading between the lines. The OP is foremost wanting to control the hours of service and the cost of the repairs. The fact that he had someone willing to meet his needs on the first call but chose to "price-shop" indicates someone that is all about the final cost.

I wasn't in on the phone conversations or emails but I'd assume the work needed was described and an estimate of cost was demanded. There are very few service businesses that will quote over the phone or by email unless the tasks are standard and clearly defined. If a business owner does do that, success is rare since most folks seeking repair do not have the full picture of what's involved. Starting off with $2K as a ceiling for price also alerts the business that they will have problems along the way since those are the customer's best guess and often it doesn't blend with reality.

Good luck with repairing your rig and I hope you hit it off with the guy coming out to do the work.

[ReadyToGo]

Interesting, the poster complains about a repair shop not wanting to work around his hours, but can't seem to change his schedule or work around the hours. Whats the matter, can't you take a vacation day and get the work done in the week day?
Do you think the repair shop is just there to service you? Maybe they enjoy working just 40 hours a week.

[jake2250]

I agree with the OP,, I also think that goes in general for Customer Service also,,It's rare to find any one thats Glad to have your business!!Let alone give you an honest quote,,Or heck give you a quote at all!! I know it's unheard of,,

Looking to get my PU bed coated,, only one of the top three dealers in my area emailed me back with prices or a quote,, My phone calls were returned by only Two of the three,, The third place NEVER returned my email or call.... Guess they are to busy!!
One of the dealers acted like I was asking for the world for anything extra!!
THEN,, if you do need customer service on something,, it seems how quick they are to tell you WHAT they can't do!!
My barber is the one of the few that are glad I call!! (and i'm going bald)!

If your business posts a phone number or email----RETURN My CALL!
If I do buy something form you or pay you for a service,, FIX IT!! Don't give me a song and dance about what YOU CAN'T DO!!


Yep! that about sums it up!! (rant)!

[Dog_Folks]

Terryallan wrote:

Dog Folks wrote:
I was in a very non-glamorous service business for 30 years.

Look down at me, or feel superior, if you want, but at $100.00/hour back in the 80's,I got to pick and choose whom I worked for, and then laughed all the way to the bank.

Why would any one look down on a person that knows enough to help them with their problem? Trust me. IF I call you, I need you, and would be grateful for your help.

On another note. ANY honest job a person does that puts food on the table. Is an honorable job. No matter what. No one has the right to look down on a working man. I've done a lot of jobs, a lot of people prolly don't want to do. To feed my family. Proud to do it.

To the OP. It cost a lot less to take the RV to them. They charge extra to come to your house. And may not have the parts needed to fix your problem.

I agree but every once in a while a client acted as if he was better because he was paying me. You know the typical snob.

It was O.K. though, if they did this before billing, the price went up. Secondly,I never took their business again! That was fun. They told me I HAD to take their business! Surprise!

[Terryallan]

Dog Folks wrote:
I was in a very non-glamorous service business for 30 years.

Look down at me, or feel superior, if you want, but at $100.00/hour back in the 80's,I got to pick and choose whom I worked for, and then laughed all the way to the bank.

Why would any one look down on a person that knows enough to help them with their problem? Trust me. IF I call you, I need you, and would be grateful for your help.

On another note. ANY honest job a person does that puts food on the table. Is an honorable job. No matter what. No one has the right to look down on a working man. I've done a lot of jobs, a lot of people prolly don't want to do. To feed my family. Proud to do it.

To the OP. It cost a lot less to take the RV to them. They charge extra to come to your house. And may not have the parts needed to fix your problem.