How do you deal with bad customer service/bad management skills from private businesses?

Question

Do you just take the crap and walk away? Or do you speak out to get it resolved?

Ill_made_Knight · Accepted Answer

Your best voice is your wallet, but you can have a bad experience occasionally at the best run establishment. I try not to be too bothered if it's a one off and give it another chance. In general I'd rather not shop the big box stores as they are more impersonal, but at the same time one person refusing to shop Walmart has no impact on them.
On the other hand consistently giving your business to smaller shops may just keep them in business...

TroyDT · Accepted Answer

Speak to corporate. Those types of things are training issues.

ArrowheadSW · Answer

I'm not the type to complain, but twice in my life so far, I've actually sent a letter to the manager of a business to complain. (Both times, restaurants.) One place was a pretty upscale restaurant and I was treated in an insulting manner by a waitress. The manager wrote back and told me to call him. He offed me and a date dinner on the house to make up for it. I never took him up on it as I just wanted to point out the problematic waitress.

I'm usually pretty tolerant of employees in businesses as I understand things can be tough.

RavVid · Answer

One thing that really annoys me is when a company representative refuses to do something that is very reasonable. Reship a product that was broken in transit etc.

I am likely to get quite nasty on the customer service call with something like "I'm sure in real life you are a lovely girl but in this call you are Company XYZ and I am talking to you as Company XYZ. I am angry with XYZ because you have done wrong by me. I expect XYZ to fix it. So FIX it girly!".

There is no point beating around the bush. But play the company not the service girl. You can still vent but avoid obscenities and don't let her diffuse the problem.

ChiTown33 · Answer

It really depends on the situation. Usually you can size up who you're dealing with. I'm not going to ruin my inner peace by beating a dead horse. Very few times do I make a big stink. But wrong me deep enough and I'll make it my personal mission to ruin your life. Like I say, most the time it's not warranted and not worth the effort. Most people can be reasoned with and I'm a very reasonable person. a lot of time the person you're dealing with is just the messenger. Don't shoot the messenger.

dustybiker · Answer

It really depends on a number of things. You can tell when someone is having a bad day, you can usually prod a bit and get them to admit something like that and talk them out of it by letting them vent.

In the case it’s a truly horrible person. Depending on how bad and how badly I was on the receiving end I might chase it up.

It’s less personal for me though. More worried about the kind people behind me that might get that blow too. I don’t like bullies.

NathanDavis · Answer

depends on what it is...

if I can be there in person, I do go there in person and I will find the person I need to speak with to get things resolved, that's what I did with my bank for example... phone calls and emails, online is just BS

but if they are companies out of reach... most likely I will just cut ties and find better, lol

depends on the context and details, sometimes I have to put up with it lmao

Sandeeppingping · Answer

I simply leave, they can't be the only mfs providing that service, I literally drive 30 minutes to get a haircut simply because I like the dude (and because he's a badass hairstylist), I tried the one that's right next to my house, 10 minutes if I walk, didn't like the vibe at all so never went again

qwert1234 · Answer

If it's food, I don't usually complain. I really really don't want a spit on my new food. I just don't come back to that place.

For others, if me and the other person can't come to an agreement, I just ask for the manager, as a mediator.

I never have yelled at anyone.

Fuentes · Answer

Lol when people expect good service from min wage workers knowing damn well you make more money then they do and expect 100% good service. I would just walk away and ask someone else or go to another store if they don't need my money. I put my nose up at people who work min wage with attitudes.

BeMuse · Answer

You choose who you want to do business with, and the decide how they run their business... If they don't do things the way you want them done for the money you offer in return, then do business with someone else.

WindAtMyBack · Answer

If it's just bad service, I probably won't say anything. If I actually get ripped off I'll raise hell if it's not resolved. Fortunately it usually gets resolved.

SnowedIn · Answer

Speak nicely about it. If no resolution and I still want/need to shop there, I contact corporate. We all make mistakes and deserve the chance to get better/be retrained, etc.

melanieeeB · Answer

I thankfully never had something bad happened to me but with the really few small stuff, I stayed silent and just never went there again lol

Hispanic-Cool-Guy · Answer

Stay quite. I don't like to moan and complian. Now, I will say something if the person gets disrespectful with their mouth towards me, but besides that I don't say nothing about bad customer service.

Fireguy17 · Answer

I'm very polite, I start as high up the food chain as possible, and will not take no for an answer.  There are good and bad ways to complain.

katiesmuff · Answer

If it is just a private owned business pick F and just walk out and don't go back,

Sparkie460 · Answer

I would politely ask to speak to the manager. If I got nowhere with him I'd continue up the ladder until I got to corporate and my county consumer affairs department.

Havthrills · Answer

I would complain. I would get it straightened out. I wouldn't leave until it's resolved or I get hauled away from the cops. Lol

AngryCarl · Answer

Complain, complain to the manager, leave a snotty review on Trustpilot. Not necessarily in that order. It would have to be pretty bad for me to complain though.

Pudsmucker · Answer

If I ever got four customer service from both the manager and his staff. I would not go back and patronize them. I may even date something in yelp.

exitseven · Answer

Sometimes I complain to management but most of the time i just take my business elsewhere.

motownplayer2000 · Answer

I drop them soon after. If I have options, if I don’t, then there is nothing you can do but search for an alternative

jamesgoldman · Answer

People don't treat you bad with fistfuls of rings and a pair of construction boots on

Snakeyes7 · Answer

I don't immediately ditch them unless it is a constant problem. Once or twice I just assume the employee had a bad day.

Zolly99999 · Answer

I first try the polite approach... then escalate from there.

Xtendable · Answer

I voted C - complain with courtesy, and leave it to them to rectify

USLegionary · Answer

They need my money

Jamie05rhs · Answer

I usually say something.

pizzalovershouse · Answer

I get it resolved

Jerre · Answer

Speak up and get it resolved.

jimmy2 · Answer

Always call the corporate

Jennz6 · Answer

You should not complain.

Alex8736 · Answer

Meaning as a customer or as an employee?

Guardian45 · Answer

ALL of the Above!

How do you deal with bad customer service/bad management skills from private businesses?

Most Helpful Opinions

Most Helpful Opinions

What Girls & Guys Said