How good of a customer are you? - Progressive Rock Music Forum

Sometimes I throw tantrums at incompetent people. ;P

I'm well-behaved, unless they try to rip me off or push me around. It bugs me when I see customers chewing out a shop employee for something that's totally beyond their control, though.

I'm regarded as a good customer in the places I frequent, And I tip well for the services.

DEATH TO FALSE PROG!

If all customers were like me, serving customers would be heaven.

And I'm not boasting. I rarely complain. If I don't like the service, I simply won't return. Why give the person a hard time?

I've been working in retail or restaurants for the past 4 years so I know how annoying customers can be. That's why I behave really well and never complain.

RIP in bossa nova heaven.

The one that gets me riled is the Helpdesk for our business ISP. They only deal with companies, so the majority of people who call them are going to be IT professionals who have exhausted all the possible internal sources of the problem and have rightfully concluded that the reason for the fault must lie with the Service Provider. So why is the first question they always ask:

"Have you re-booted the Modem?"

I do try and be polite, I do. Honest.

What?

How could anyone not like me!?!?!

"Oh no he's here"

Me in Halifax Building Society two weeks ago:

Me: Hi, can you print me an up to date statement on this account please. Hands over debit card

Cashier: Er, I'm not sure..one moment please..

Me: ahem..

Cashier: Here is your balance sir.

Me: No, I asked for a statement. I need a statement that lists all my transactions up to midnight last night. It's for a financial assessment.

Cashier: I can request a statement to be sent to you, sir.

Me: and how does that help me today?? You already send me a statement each month. I'm told it's sent on the first of each month, but I dont recieve it until the 16th. God only knows what postal service you're using. Not the same one as the rest of the human race..

Cashier: Sir, our software wont allow us to just 'print statements'

Me: Perhaps it's time for an upgrade to your software, to accomodate this very logical and obvious customer request. They do it at Barclays.

Cashier: you could print a mini statement from the ATM.

Me: Yes, I could, if that option was available today, but it's not. The little man who sits behind the machine writing the mini statements appears to be on leave. I need a statement on headed paper. I could have printed this thing you've just handed me.

Cashier: I'm sorry sir, but..

Me: Give me that. Clicks fingers, gesturing for card to be handed back. Walks out with tail between legs

Basically, when it comes to dealing with customer service folk, I'm a complete banker.

I tend to be appreciated more when I spend lots of money regularly at a small independent venue. Interesting.

I used to hang out at this snotty Italian pasta place because one of my friends worked there, and the owner didn't like me coming because I only bought coffees and stuff...I was told I wasn't wanted.

I'm generally seen as a good customer, though it can depend on the service I'm given. I'm a curteous and respectful customer, and I expect the same from an employee.

"One likes to believe in the freedom of Music" - Neil Peart, The Spirit of Radio

Poll Question: What do you think cashiers/customer service employees think of you?
Poll Choice	Votes	Poll Statistics
They all love me and my presence can even cheer up a few	6	[18.18%]
I'm generally seen as a good customer	10	[30.30%]
I'm just a typical customer. No impact on employees.	14	[42.42%]
I can irritate them every now and then	1	[3.03%]
Employee: Oh no, he/she's here!	1	[3.03%]
Customer from Hell,I can make people quit out of frustration	1	[3.03%]
This topic is closed, no new votes accepted

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Zitro Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: July 11 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 1321	Topic: How good of a customer are you? Posted: July 02 2007 at 20:12
	Sooo, how do you view yourself as a customer in stores, supermarkets, restaurants, etc? Are you nice, are you obnoxious? Choices: 1_Sweetheart 2_Nice 3_Regular 4_mildly irritable 5_frown-inducing 6_living nightmare Edited by Zitro - July 02 2007 at 20:13

laplace Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: October 06 2005 Location: popupControl(); Status: Offline Points: 7606	Posted: July 02 2007 at 20:13
	Sometimes I throw tantrums at incompetent people. ;P

Dean Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Retired Admin and Amateur Layabout Joined: May 13 2007 Location: Europe Status: Offline Points: 37575	Posted: July 02 2007 at 20:34
	Being born with a typical English reticence to cause a scene I generally try and control myself, after all the shop assistant has to deal with dozens of idiots like me every day and gets paid pennies for their trouble. (Yeah, I worked in retail when I was younger - how could you tell?) Shop managers are fair game though.
	What?

Arsillus Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: March 26 2005 Location: United States Status: Offline Points: 7374	Posted: July 02 2007 at 20:41
	I'm well-behaved, unless they try to rip me off or push me around. It bugs me when I see customers chewing out a shop employee for something that's totally beyond their control, though.

Atavachron Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: September 30 2006 Location: Pearland Status: Offline Points: 65266	Posted: July 02 2007 at 20:48
	once I saw things from the retail perspective, I became more sympathetic. In particular, small businesses are lucky to break even.

Bastille Dude Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: November 30 2005 Status: Offline Points: 906	Posted: July 02 2007 at 22:32
	I'm regarded as a good customer in the places I frequent, And I tip well for the services.
	DEATH TO FALSE PROG!

The Miracle Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: May 29 2005 Location: hell Status: Offline Points: 28427	Posted: July 03 2007 at 11:13
	In my case, you'll have to ask me what I think of customers... they're f**king annoying 90% of the time. In music stores i'm very nice.
	last.fm

tardis Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: October 02 2005 Location: Victoria, BC Status: Offline Points: 14378	Posted: July 03 2007 at 11:17
	If all customers were like me, serving customers would be heaven. And I'm not boasting. I rarely complain. If I don't like the service, I simply won't return. Why give the person a hard time?

bhikkhu Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: April 06 2006 Location: A² Michigan Status: Offline Points: 5109	Posted: July 03 2007 at 11:43
	Having been a waiter for a very long time, I treat my own kind very well.
	a.k.a. H.T. http://riekels.wordpress.com

Bern Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member VIP Member Joined: September 22 2005 Location: Québec Status: Offline Points: 11746	Posted: July 03 2007 at 12:32
	I've been working in retail or restaurants for the past 4 years so I know how annoying customers can be. That's why I behave really well and never complain.
	RIP in bossa nova heaven.

The Doctor Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Honorary Collaborator Joined: June 23 2005 Location: The Tardis Status: Offline Points: 8543	Posted: July 03 2007 at 12:37
	I'm a good customer; however, I suck at customer service. Customers are usually obnoxious.
	I can understand your anger at me, but what did the horse I rode in on ever do to you?

Dean Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Special Collaborator Retired Admin and Amateur Layabout Joined: May 13 2007 Location: Europe Status: Offline Points: 37575	Posted: July 03 2007 at 14:11
	The one that gets me riled is the Helpdesk for our business ISP. They only deal with companies, so the majority of people who call them are going to be IT professionals who have exhausted all the possible internal sources of the problem and have rightfully concluded that the reason for the fault must lie with the Service Provider. So why is the first question they always ask: "Have you re-booted the Modem?" I do try and be polite, I do. Honest.
	What?

limeyrob Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member VIP Member Joined: January 15 2005 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 1402	Posted: July 03 2007 at 14:26
	Generally no trouble. Though these days with national chains I doubt very much if shops know you have been there more than once. Apart from being on their CCTV that is. Shopping is an anonymous experience these days. It was different when there were lots of small independent shops - you could build up a relationship with the owners.

BroSpence Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: March 05 2007 Status: Offline Points: 2614	Posted: July 03 2007 at 14:27
	How could anyone not like me!?!?!

Valarius Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: January 08 2005 Location: Germany Status: Offline Points: 1480	Posted: July 03 2007 at 15:20
	Typical customer right here.

Blacksword Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: June 22 2004 Location: England Status: Offline Points: 16130	Posted: July 03 2007 at 17:03
	"Oh no he's here" Me in Halifax Building Society two weeks ago: Me: Hi, can you print me an up to date statement on this account please. Hands over debit card Cashier: Er, I'm not sure..one moment please.. Me: ahem.. Cashier: Here is your balance sir. Me: No, I asked for a statement. I need a statement that lists all my transactions up to midnight last night. It's for a financial assessment. Cashier: I can request a statement to be sent to you, sir. Me: and how does that help me today?? You already send me a statement each month. I'm told it's sent on the first of each month, but I dont recieve it until the 16th. God only knows what postal service you're using. Not the same one as the rest of the human race.. Cashier: Sir, our software wont allow us to just 'print statements' Me: Perhaps it's time for an upgrade to your software, to accomodate this very logical and obvious customer request. They do it at Barclays. Cashier: you could print a mini statement from the ATM. Me: Yes, I could, if that option was available today, but it's not. The little man who sits behind the machine writing the mini statements appears to be on leave. I need a statement on headed paper. I could have printed this thing you've just handed me. Cashier: I'm sorry sir, but.. Me: Give me that. Clicks fingers, gesturing for card to be handed back. Walks out with tail between legs Basically, when it comes to dealing with customer service folk, I'm a complete banker.

Philéas Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: June 14 2006 Status: Offline Points: 6419	Posted: July 03 2007 at 18:11
	Depends on the place. Where I'm a regular customer (such as in the store where I buy my Prog) they seem to like me, that is think I'm a good customer.

tardis Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: October 02 2005 Location: Victoria, BC Status: Offline Points: 14378	Posted: July 03 2007 at 19:38
	I tend to be appreciated more when I spend lots of money regularly at a small independent venue. Interesting. I used to hang out at this snotty Italian pasta place because one of my friends worked there, and the owner didn't like me coming because I only bought coffees and stuff...I was told I wasn't wanted.

Meddler Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Forum Senior Member Joined: September 29 2005 Location: Massillon Status: Offline Points: 881	Posted: July 10 2007 at 23:50
	I always try to be real nice and call them by their names if they have a name-tag.
	[IMG]http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i165/amorfous/astro-1.jpg">

Melomaniac Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Reviewer page Prog Reviewer Joined: May 07 2006 Location: Canada Status: Offline Points: 4088	Posted: July 12 2007 at 10:25
	I'm generally seen as a good customer, though it can depend on the service I'm given. I'm a curteous and respectful customer, and I expect the same from an employee.
	"One likes to believe in the freedom of Music" - Neil Peart, The Spirit of Radio