Is It Just Me, or Are Companies Treating Us All Horribly?

Updated on October 02, 2008
J.J. asks from Carrollton, TX
6 answers

OK, I am at my wits end. I am not trying to use this forum just to vent, but I really need to hear that it isn't just me. It just seems that lately we are getting such awful service and are being treated horribly by so many businesses. I have spent so much valuable time dealing with them that it is making me feel sick inside. I pray every day, multiple times a day, to not feel so bitter or angry, but it keeps pulling at me. Whether it's the handyman who needs to be threatened with a law suit to pay for damage he did to my property, or the cable company that charged me a service fee to correct a mistake they made upon set-up, or the idiots at the grocery store who put fresh fruit in bags with leaking raw meats! The latest is Verizon who sent something to collections and refuses to discuss it with me now - when they have admitted to me in the past that it is their billing error and promised to correct it - 5 times!!! Now they won't even talk to me because it is in collections! Yes, I sent my "letter of dispute," but now it all has to go through another agency and take forever to get resolved, meanwhile they're hurting our credit! Not only that, but my husband and I used to own a business and we got hosed by two seperate people who owe us thousands of dollars each because we were good to them in their supposed time of need. One is a lost cause whom we know won't ever pay even if we sue, and the other keeps begging and pleading to have longer when this has been going on for a year now! Argh! Don't get me wrong, I know and appreciate that my family and I are truly blessed with what we have. We are healthy and happy, and so many don't have that. Although our builder made some annoying mistakes on our house, we are incredibly grateful to have a nice home. I don't mean to sound so bitter. More than anything I hate the way I personally get worked up over these things. I feel so taken advantage of, so helpless that I just start crying. And just plain angry at people who should know better or do their jobs better. Is it just me? How does everyone else deal with this kind of stuff?

What can I do next?

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So What Happened?

Juli - yes, I am trying to be very nice. I don't always make it, but I don't turn into a b**** until they have already been jerks. I also ran into one very helpful rep Monday - her name was Sue. She was kind enough to do some research and call me back at home. The problem was that I was out so she left a message. When I called back and asked for her they tell me that they won't get me to a specific person and I have to talk to whomever I get.

Traci - thanks for the link. I will use it! I did also file with the Better Business Bureau - interestingly they already have an UNsatisfactory rating. Go figure.

Cindy - Great idea. We should all share those good places rather than just the bad ones. I try to shop Tom Thumb for groceries when I can. They are always excellent and often worth paying a slightly higher price. I also love shopping with Amazon.com and recently found mom4life.com which also gave me wonderful service.

More Answers

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R.F.

answers from Dallas on

Customer Service is a dying a long death. Not on your scope of horrow stories, but I went to a fast food place in Collin Creek Mall (Samuri Sams, to name names!). The guys behind the counter was on his cell phone as he just looked at me. I asked if he was going to hang up or take my order. I was totally ignored, so I walked away. No wonder I hate the mall and fast food!
How long ago was the house built? Texas Real Estate Commission has some rules about faulty builders, so you may have some legal recourse there.
It's harder to deal with the larger companies like Verizon, but when the person is in front of you, like the gorcery store, point out their mistake, or go to the manager! Laziness is not excuse when we are shelling out more and more money for services and products. I'm usually not a complainer (and I'm not saying you are!), but lately I have really wanted those who aren't doing their job to know it's not acceptable, regardless if I sound like a b-word.

2 moms found this helpful
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T.O.

answers from Dallas on

Yep, Verizon is not that good, but we have to have them so I can work... and without the internet and phone, I cannot.

But do go to the State Attorney General of Texas on line and file a complaint. That has always worked for me. You can file on line. You do need your back up docs at least for reference.

http://www.oag.state.tx.us/consumer/complain.shtml

2 moms found this helpful
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J.B.

answers from Dallas on

I had some problems with Verizon too. They were very helpful and helped me correct the incorrect billing issues with a customer service rep, Deborah. After an hour of working with her I felt like I knew her.

My mother if fond of saying, "You collect more bees with honey than vinegar." Are you sure you are treating these customer service people the way you would want to be treated? Just remember they are trying to do a job too. It sounds like because of some bad luck you had when you owned your business, you no longer trust anyone. When you get overwhelmed or just plain ticked off, remember it could be so much worse. You have two children and a husband that need and love you which makes you so much luckier than most. Embrace what you have and enjoy life rather than sweating the small things- and remember they are all small. Good luck and have a nice day.

1 mom found this helpful
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E.S.

answers from Dallas on

I totally agree. The problem is that companies are not people, just companies. The people that work at these places really couldn't care less about your bill. The next time you call, they aren't going to speak to you again. You will just get someone else who doesn't care. We have boycotted Verizon becase of how terrible their customer service is.

1 mom found this helpful
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C.C.

answers from Dallas on

I know how you feel - customer service isn't what it used to be. For this reason I choose to shop at certain stores that offer the best service and treat you as if the customer is always right. Shop Nordstrom, Bed Bath & Beyond and Whole Foods for the best customer service you can find. I'd love to hear other names of stores that others of you just love.

1 mom found this helpful

T.F.

answers from Dallas on

J.,

FIRST of all IT IS NOT YOU AND WHO YOU HIRE OR DEAL WITH, (unless you are not researching companies you deal with which does not sound like is the case) Maybe some other replies on this post have the perfect people working for them but I am very picky and I expect a job to be done right (THE FIRST TIME). I do pay more for quality.

MOST customer service these days do not care about customer service, they just want a paycheck and to get you off the phone asap. Occasionally and RARELY, you will find one who does care about customer service.

I have been through 2 new home reputable builders who screwed up with the contractors they used. They have MORE than paid for those discretions.

I went through he-- with Comcast until I got my house right.

YES, I was very nice and I did not start out like a b..ch but I found out how to make corporations respond to me....

COST THEM $$$.....Every time you call verizon, comcast or whomever, have your detailed paperwork and cost them money on visits to your home to fix things, faxes, etc. With us....it probably could have been remedied with Comcast with no less than 2 visits, however, they kept fighting me so I kept bombarding them with my proof and paperwork which meant they had to come fix it. By the time they spent more manpower hours than they would like to have done, they realized...I DO NOT GIVE UP until I get it right. Corporations do not like to spend money to make current customers happy.... if you cost them money with service calls, endless faxes with your data, etc....they will get it right for you.

This tactic has worked well for me. I don't have to be the b--ch. Just have your paperwork and "evidence".

It is worth spending a little extra money (in my opinion) to get good value for my dollar. I shop Target, Tom Thumb, Market Street, Costco and I boycott Walmart, Sams.

My cell service is through AT&T and I have always had excellent service with the store located at 75/McDermott by Harley Davidson.

Good luck to you.

1 mom found this helpful
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