Customer Service in Australia a thing of the past!!!!!

[Shazzam]

One unhappy customer!

Over the past few years I have noticed how bad customer service is in Australia (if you could say there is any service at all). This morning I had to go to one of the large department stores (first thing) as a sale was on and the item that was in their catalogue (which started at 8am this morning). Arriving at the store, just on opening, my daughter and I were the first at the item in question. To cut a long story short after eventually being able to track down a floor staff member, we were told that they had none in stock and that we would have to fill out a raincheck form (in other words when they get them you will get one). This item was a christmas tree.

Returning to the counter we were told that it could take two month to get them in (in other words no guarantee). The staff were just disinterested!

I have noticed that you aren't assisted with your purchases like when I was a child. It is such a shame.

I put it down to the fact that these large retail chains are only employing people on a day to day need basis, so there is no job security. I think generally people just don't care.

What is customer service like in your country? Are you experiencing the same sort of problems that I am?

[Danyet]

This is so funny. Customer service in Australia!!!!!!! Woo Hooo !!!!! That has to be the mother of all oxymorons!! Don't tell me that it is getting even worse than it already was.

Actually, the customer service is still pretty good in USA.... BUT....the service in a restaraunt in the US has been on a decline for some years now. But it is still way better than in OZ.

[Shazzam]

I think if retailers started training the 15 years old they hired things would get better. They just throw these kids into retail positions to save money; but it has to be costing them; because they don't know how to sell!!

[Danyet]

A little training or even just old fashioned advice for new and young employees would be the right thing to do. But I think that an awful lot of employers are guilty of not understanding customer service also.

[Shazzam]

A little training or even just old fashioned advice for new and young employees would be the right thing to do. But I think that an awful lot of employers are guilty of not understanding customer service also.

So true Danyet! My uncle and I were discussing this at the weekend and he said "How can they train these kids when they don't know how to do it themselves." So you have just backed this statement up. It is unfortunate in alot of employment situations that they look closer at your degrees than your potential. Especially in retail positions. I mean what difference does it make that you have a 'Bachelor of Arts Degree'

[Shazzam]

I didn't think customer service (or lack thereof) could get any worse, but hey I was wrong!!!!

On Saturday I had to venture back into the Department store that inspired this thread (unfortunately it is the only one in my area)!!!! When I went to the checkout to be served I noticed that the girl serving was yawning constantly, she was serving the woman in front of me, the customer looked at me with amazement; to which I said to her "it looks like we are keeping her up!"

EVENTUALLY she finished serving this woman. It was my turn! Well nothing changed I had only bought one item it took her 2 minutes to complete my transaction and I would estimate that she yawned (open-mouthed - no hand over her mouth) 8 times in this time!! UNBELIEVABLE!!

It got the better of me and I said to this girl that she really should try and make more of an effort to not yawn in front of her customers as it was very rude. She just looked at me (like the lights were on but there was no one at home).....

GOOD GRIEF and the Christmas rush is coming!!!!