Consumer Terrorism - Getting Even
Discussion
my previous thread (www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=14482&h=0) got me thinking.
I've scored numerous victories over businesses who have screwed me about in the past - the fact that I've gone public with my latest conflict is indicative of my instinct that this particular company will not give me satisfaction any other way.
But, in the past I've had a fair bit of free stuff and groveling from companies..
My bank don't *ever* mess me about anymore since I roused the interest of their Chief Exec. Sky Digital don't canvas me anymore since I canvassed their entire board of directors via email.
But, probably the funniest one was writing Mates a totally straight faced letter complaining that their condoms split more often than not. Shortly after, I received a £25 postal order, a grovelling letter and an enormous bag of condoms..
What victories have you lot scored over money-grabbing charlatans... ?
Here's another thing: How do the Americans manage still to give good service when retail employers seem to treat their staff as badly over there as we do over here? This conflicts with my perception that low pay and indifferent, callous or otherwise poor management lead to frontline staff giving poor service.
>>> Edited by CarZee on Wednesday 31st July 00:11
I've scored numerous victories over businesses who have screwed me about in the past - the fact that I've gone public with my latest conflict is indicative of my instinct that this particular company will not give me satisfaction any other way.
But, in the past I've had a fair bit of free stuff and groveling from companies..
My bank don't *ever* mess me about anymore since I roused the interest of their Chief Exec. Sky Digital don't canvas me anymore since I canvassed their entire board of directors via email.
But, probably the funniest one was writing Mates a totally straight faced letter complaining that their condoms split more often than not. Shortly after, I received a £25 postal order, a grovelling letter and an enormous bag of condoms..
What victories have you lot scored over money-grabbing charlatans... ?
Here's another thing: How do the Americans manage still to give good service when retail employers seem to treat their staff as badly over there as we do over here? This conflicts with my perception that low pay and indifferent, callous or otherwise poor management lead to frontline staff giving poor service.
>>> Edited by CarZee on Wednesday 31st July 00:11
Carzee the americans just have a different approach. I ordered coffee at Ohare once and the girl immediately said "I can do that" followed by "actually I can't do that we have run out" This was followed by several abortive attempts to get a drink. Eventually she said "If I get you a free cup of whatever gluk we have left and take my time over it you can skip the tip and just ogle my legs for a bit OK?" Was fine by me 
If only it were like that in B&Q
If only it were like that in B&QBloody scrotes broke into the garage begining of April nicked £1,000 of mountain bikes (2) and 2 socket sets (approx £250). Insurance company great, replacement sockets arrive within a fortnight, bikes on order. Police call, have found a bike, I go to station, play the honest guy and say yes i think it's mine, tell insurance company who say OK we'll cancel the order for yours but progress with the girlf's. In the meantime I am to take bike to shop and get quote for repair of any damage, not overly happy but fine so far. Police catch scrote, inform me they need bike for the trial. Problem wanted it for my impending honeymoon. Girlf rings insurance co. and explains situation (with a hint of a sniffle) insurance co. immediately offer new bike upgraded by a couple of models for the inconvenience.
Top result (and top insurance co.)!!
Who said tearful women aren't worth something?
Top result (and top insurance co.)!!
Who said tearful women aren't worth something?
Pretty simple if you are looking at restaurants etc, the staff are minimum wage (which is pitiful) and they rely on tips to make a decent living. Its very much in their interest to keep the customer sweet, so they do. There is also the job security aspect - hiring and firing is very much easier over there, and staff can be sacked at a whim with very little comeback. So it pays to keep the boss sweet too.
All down to incentive. Compare to McD over here for example, where kids get minimum wage full stop. No incentive to keep customer happy - they get paid either way. No means to increase income by doing a good job. Only perk is to be able to gob in the sandwiches if you don't like the punter. We're never going to get a decent service.
All down to incentive. Compare to McD over here for example, where kids get minimum wage full stop. No incentive to keep customer happy - they get paid either way. No means to increase income by doing a good job. Only perk is to be able to gob in the sandwiches if you don't like the punter. We're never going to get a decent service.
quote:I agree Phil, but where does the difference between the US and UK arise? Surely on both sides of the Atlantic, retail/leisure sector wages are piss poor and tips are relied upon.. ?
Pretty simple if you are looking at restaurants etc, the staff are minimum wage (which is pitiful) and they rely on tips to make a decent living.
{snip}
No incentive to keep customer happy - they get paid either way. No means to increase income by doing a good job. Only perk is to be able to gob in the sandwiches if you don't like the punter. We're never going to get a decent service.
quote:
Bloody scrotes broke into the garage begining of April nicked £1,000 of mountain bikes (2) and 2 socket sets (approx £250). Insurance company great, replacement sockets arrive within a fortnight, bikes on order. Police call, have found a bike, I go to station, play the honest guy and say yes i think it's mine, tell insurance company who say OK we'll cancel the order for yours but progress with the girlf's. In the meantime I am to take bike to shop and get quote for repair of any damage, not overly happy but fine so far. Police catch scrote, inform me they need bike for the trial. Problem wanted it for my impending honeymoon. Girlf rings insurance co. and explains situation (with a hint of a sniffle) insurance co. immediately offer new bike upgraded by a couple of models for the inconvenience.
Top result (and top insurance co.)!!
Who said tearful women aren't worth something?
Which insurance co?
quote:
I agree Phil, but where does the difference between the US and UK arise? Surely on both sides of the Atlantic, retail/leisure sector wages are piss poor and tips are relied upon.. ?
The difference is that in the States the waiting staff get taxed on their tips - assumed to be 10 or 15%, this comes out of their paycheque, so they actually get a very small paycheque, and most of their income is from tips, hence the better customer service.
Another story, naming and shaming - EUROPCAR!
I use my german travelagent who gives me a voucher which I then use for my hire cars on business. Had to go to GB for a sorry occasion, and picked up the car at Europcar in Manchester Apt.
Was wary as having returned cars there and they didn't want to give me a zero invoice i.e. no extra charges (which I need for my bookkeeping).
Returned car but as returning from a funeral didn't want the hassle and returned the car on time, with witnesses and flew out.
The theiving barstewards then billed me for an extra day (said I returned it to Term 1 on Monday at 10.20 when I was already here in my office in germany!)although I have witnesses for the correct return (letterbox Terminal 2 MAN) car full, time right and no damage, and my actual flight out (Sunday 1400) of the country.
Am in the process of prosecuting them for credit card fraud! (Mind you no support from the CC company!!) Support however from the german travel company who have now ceased trading with the theives, as they have had various complaints about this company!!!!
DON'T USE EUROPCAR!!!!
I use my german travelagent who gives me a voucher which I then use for my hire cars on business. Had to go to GB for a sorry occasion, and picked up the car at Europcar in Manchester Apt.
Was wary as having returned cars there and they didn't want to give me a zero invoice i.e. no extra charges (which I need for my bookkeeping).
Returned car but as returning from a funeral didn't want the hassle and returned the car on time, with witnesses and flew out.
The theiving barstewards then billed me for an extra day (said I returned it to Term 1 on Monday at 10.20 when I was already here in my office in germany!)although I have witnesses for the correct return (letterbox Terminal 2 MAN) car full, time right and no damage, and my actual flight out (Sunday 1400) of the country.
Am in the process of prosecuting them for credit card fraud! (Mind you no support from the CC company!!) Support however from the german travel company who have now ceased trading with the theives, as they have had various complaints about this company!!!!
DON'T USE EUROPCAR!!!!
If you are ever in a position whereby you want something from a company then you need the services of my Missis, also know as The Procurement Officer in our household.
Recent successes include:
- two free mattresses from Argos becuase one of the ones she bought wasn't quite right (delivered to the house next day, no proof of purchase)
- full refund of a stainless steel sink from B&Q, delivered in error, plus an additional payment for the inconvenience (paid for a nice VCR that did)
- £100 credit to the gas bill after the service lady was less than polite when she rang up with a question
- £25 free sandwiches from Pret a Manger because the sandwich labelled as having bacon in it only had a tiny shrivel
- the services of a professional tiler for two days after using anti-stain grout treatment which itself stained the grout
- a free park bench (don't ask, just don't ask)
- a free course of flea injections for the cat to counter waiting room trauma after a large dog tried to eat it
And so the list goes on.
Reckon I should put her out for rent.... so to speak
Recent successes include:
- two free mattresses from Argos becuase one of the ones she bought wasn't quite right (delivered to the house next day, no proof of purchase)
- full refund of a stainless steel sink from B&Q, delivered in error, plus an additional payment for the inconvenience (paid for a nice VCR that did)
- £100 credit to the gas bill after the service lady was less than polite when she rang up with a question
- £25 free sandwiches from Pret a Manger because the sandwich labelled as having bacon in it only had a tiny shrivel
- the services of a professional tiler for two days after using anti-stain grout treatment which itself stained the grout
- a free park bench (don't ask, just don't ask)
- a free course of flea injections for the cat to counter waiting room trauma after a large dog tried to eat it
And so the list goes on.
Reckon I should put her out for rent.... so to speak
quote:I think in the US the welfare system is virtually nonexistent, so if you don't work then you are pretty screwed. The tips they get in US are a substantial part of their pay packet - just try not tipping someone 15-20% in US & see how their can-do attitude turns into disgust. (I knew someone who used to wait tables in San Francisco - they reckoned that over half their wage was made up in tips). Over here it is somewhat different - there isn't that much incentive to make the customer happy.
I agree Phil, but where does the difference between the US and UK arise? Surely on both sides of the Atlantic, retail/leisure sector wages are piss poor and tips are relied upon.. ?
Another thought is that many of our waiters/waitresses probably never go out for meals themselves, so don't understand exactly what it is people want, whereas in US it is far more common to eat out....
cheers,
Craig
Several notable victories in the recent past, some of the better ones included:
1) Taking a wall mounted bathroom cabinet back three times after breaking the glass door on the first three occasions. Luckily got 3 different kids at the customer service desk. None of them noticed the one or two identical cabinets sat on the floor behind them
2) Getting a council tax bill for 23p (yes, £0.23) from Sunderland Council, and despite numerous letters and threats of legal action, proceeded to write out twenty three cheques for a penny. This cost the council approximately £1.50 to cash each cheque, but if they were going to be beligerent, so was I
3) Getting a case (48 boxes) of Fish Fingers from Bird's Eye after finding a fingernail in one. Sadly, other such fabricated "I've found xxx in your yyy's...." type letters were mostly met with replies starting "Fcuk off you miserable student bastard"
4) Scoring a victory for my village residents (c. 2,000) after I found out that despite another water company treating our sewerage, our billing company was charging us their treatment rate, some 200% higher. This was taken directly to the regulator, who came down on Anglian Water like a tonne of bricks. How chuffed I was when the cheque fell on the doormat
Worst backfire was tyres at Cack-Fit. The story is summarised thus:
a) Bought cheapo Polish tyres for Fiesta that was to be sold imminently;
b) One tyre developed lump in tread. Took back to Cack Fit who said that they wouldn't refund, it was down to the tyre company (Polish, remember), so they would send it to them, they'd look at it and send me back compensation proportional to the amount of tread left;
c) :rubshandsinanticipation:
d) Cheque arrives 7 months later for £1.16
1) Taking a wall mounted bathroom cabinet back three times after breaking the glass door on the first three occasions. Luckily got 3 different kids at the customer service desk. None of them noticed the one or two identical cabinets sat on the floor behind them
2) Getting a council tax bill for 23p (yes, £0.23) from Sunderland Council, and despite numerous letters and threats of legal action, proceeded to write out twenty three cheques for a penny. This cost the council approximately £1.50 to cash each cheque, but if they were going to be beligerent, so was I
3) Getting a case (48 boxes) of Fish Fingers from Bird's Eye after finding a fingernail in one. Sadly, other such fabricated "I've found xxx in your yyy's...." type letters were mostly met with replies starting "Fcuk off you miserable student bastard"
4) Scoring a victory for my village residents (c. 2,000) after I found out that despite another water company treating our sewerage, our billing company was charging us their treatment rate, some 200% higher. This was taken directly to the regulator, who came down on Anglian Water like a tonne of bricks. How chuffed I was when the cheque fell on the doormat
Worst backfire was tyres at Cack-Fit. The story is summarised thus:
a) Bought cheapo Polish tyres for Fiesta that was to be sold imminently;
b) One tyre developed lump in tread. Took back to Cack Fit who said that they wouldn't refund, it was down to the tyre company (Polish, remember), so they would send it to them, they'd look at it and send me back compensation proportional to the amount of tread left;
c) :rubshandsinanticipation:
d) Cheque arrives 7 months later for £1.16
quote:
Worst backfire was tyres at Cack-Fit. The story is summarised thus:
a) Bought cheapo Polish tyres for Fiesta that was to be sold imminently;
b) One tyre developed lump in tread. Took back to Cack Fit who said that they wouldn't refund, it was down to the tyre company (Polish, remember), so they would send it to them, they'd look at it and send me back compensation proportional to the amount of tread left;
c) :rubshandsinanticipation:
d) Cheque arrives 7 months later for £1.16
IIRC If you bought the tyres at Cack Fit they are responsible for quality issues with you because you are their customer. They should refund you then claim a refund themselves from Poland.
quote:
IIRC If you bought the tyres at Cack Fit they are responsible for quality issues with you because you are their customer. They should refund you then claim a refund themselves from Poland.
Correct, the responsibility to the customer is with the retailer not the manufacturer. The manufacturer will have a responsibility to the retailer not the consumer.
entered a photographic competion in a small village, with Boots. Found outby asking that no one else had entered 2 days before closing date, entered a reasonably good photo under my name and entered a cr$p photo under my partners name. (competion remember)
Won a camera !!
result.
>> Edited by superlightr on Wednesday 31st July 12:26
Won a camera !!
result. >> Edited by superlightr on Wednesday 31st July 12:26
quote:
4) Scoring a victory for my village residents (c. 2,000) after I found out that despite another water company treating our sewerage, our billing company was charging us their treatment rate, some 200% higher. This was taken directly to the regulator, who came down on Anglian Water like a tonne of bricks. How chuffed I was when the cheque fell on the doormat
Greg, who do you work for again ?????
I've never had to pay a letter charge from Lloyds using the basic simple stategy
Me: How is this paper worth £20?
Cus Serv: Well sir, you have gone over your agreement and if you read our blah blah blah
Me: So a computer program triggered an alert when the day end didnt balance debts and credits, then it created a letter which was folded and stuffed by machine (tell tale marks on the paper) and sent to my address automatically
Cus Serv: Yes sir, I think thats how it works
Me: So how is that £20's worth of work?
Cus Serv: Just this once sir, I will refund the charge.
Between me and er indoors thats happened 5 times now!
Matt.
>> Edited by plotloss on Wednesday 31st July 14:01
Me: How is this paper worth £20?
Cus Serv: Well sir, you have gone over your agreement and if you read our blah blah blah
Me: So a computer program triggered an alert when the day end didnt balance debts and credits, then it created a letter which was folded and stuffed by machine (tell tale marks on the paper) and sent to my address automatically
Cus Serv: Yes sir, I think thats how it works
Me: So how is that £20's worth of work?
Cus Serv: Just this once sir, I will refund the charge.
Between me and er indoors thats happened 5 times now!
Matt.
>> Edited by plotloss on Wednesday 31st July 14:01
Mobile phone service providers. I've had numerous rows over the years and each time my demands get more and more unreasonable, the last time I had a faulty speaker in the the handset (well I work in engineering with a heavily contaminated with metal particles atmosphere which clogs speakers in about 6 weeks) the indenticle phone had gone obsolite so I insisted on a brand spanking bells and wistles Ericsson T65i (circa £200 upgrade) after several hours on phone I got my own way then 2 weeks later found out I had been palmed off with a T65 with a software patch, back on phone and got upgrade to what I should have had plus the little camera thing that plugs on the bottom....result. Only problem is now, I don't know how to use the bloody thing and don't know anyone else who has one to send the pictures to anyway
quote:
Sky Digital don't canvas me anymore since I canvassed their entire board of directors via email.
Explain this one carzee, the barstewards keep canvassing me and I need some revenge
3 phone calls a week at the moment offering me Sports and Films and all the other Entertainment channels
I wouldn't mind, but I haven't got Sky Digital!
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