tim... wrote:

"Capitol" wrote in message
o.uk...
John Rumm wrote:
On 10/08/2016 14:40, Capitol wrote:
Woody wrote:
"Bill wrote in message
...
Me: Have you got any four by four posts, but long ones, maybe three
and a half metres?
Girl in timber yard office (who has been needlessly obstructive on
several previous occasions): No.
Me: What's the longest you've got?
Girl: We might have some ten foot. Not sure. Might only have eight
foot.
Me: Well can you cut me some longer ones?
Girl: How can we make long ones from short ones?
Me: I thought you could maybe start with a tree.
Girl: Oh funny guy eh?
Me: Only when provoked.
Girl: Could you get me some longer ones if I order them?
Girl: Oh no we don't do that.
Me: Oh well, OK then. Thanks for your help anyway.
Girl: I'll go and have a look.
[a few seconds later, sounding disappointed]: Oh, there's some three
point six. Just come in.
Excellent. I'll see you shortly.


Sadly it seems the knowledge of how to handle a customer politely and
courteously just does not exist these days until the maturity sets
in.
In the recent past I have had to deal with an organisation where the
first time I was answered by an early 20-something (I would guess)
who
clearly could not give a stuff. The second time I called I got a
mature woman who could not have been more helpful or friendly.

My wife has had the very same in dealing with the Halifax - and that
their breavement department - and on a couple of occasions with BG.
Conversely she has also dealt with Severn Trent Water and
(surprisingly) BT where whoever answered the call could not have been
more helpful.

STW - and for those that use them, First Direct (bank) - clearly
spend
time and money training their staff in how to talk to customers on
the
telephone. From my experience scripts don't even come into it. BT -
well I think that was just a fluke!



It took me days to report a fault to BT recently. The fault
reporting system has replaced people with voice operated computers
which
do not understand English. The on line system is now a people data
collecting system and doesn't work without javascript. I don't give
out
personal details on line, so couldn't use it. I was about to write to
BT, my MP and OFCOM when somehow I managed to register a fault
condition
using the 151 system. My bank, Plusnet and Tesco are a joy to
contact as
they answer their phones with people.

So why not move your phone line to Plusnet?

I'm waiting for the prices to reduce as a result of Vodaphone
coming into the market.

If their mobile tariffs are anything to go by, you'll have a very long
wait

tim




I think Plusnet/BT may reduce their prices as a result of a new
pricing structure.

Reported a fault to Plusnet today when internet went down
about 11.30am. They couldn't fix it, as it appeared to be a phone line
fault which I believed had been fixed on Tuesday. Then went onto BT,
managed to get a droid with some English in spite of their computer
system and explained the faults to him, pointing out that the previous
phone line fault occurrence had registered on their website on Monday,
and that the phone had worked Tuesday and Wednesday. Internet was back
working by 5pm. I haven't been brave enough to check the phone fault out
again yet.