Our new GE Café range was installed, with a broken part it turned out. GE Warranty folks had me call Northwest Home Appliance. As others mentioned, you don't get a interested inquisitive person answering the phone - I also felt like I was interrupting that person's day. They couldn't wait to get off the phone; as a result, I didn't have a chance to tell them the problem.
Yuri called to make an appointment the next day. On the phone, he also didn't ask about the problem.
When he and his assistant arrived (perfectly on time!), they immediately asked about shoes in the house. When he took a look at the problem, he was pretty upset that I didn't inform them of the problem (he would need to order the switch and come back). Yuri immediately backed off when I reminded him no one asked what the problem was -- and then good magic started to happen.
Yuri had a few switches with him that were similar, and tried desperately to get one, and then another, to work - pinch hitting the whole affair the best he could. I was watching him, and it was really hard to work with the ultra short wires GE had provided for what should have been a GE Cafe switch. I have a minor engineering background, and he impressed me with his effort. Both his assistant and myself held flashlights so he could do his best.
Neither off-the-shelf switch he tried worked - he let me know I would year back from him in 13 days once he received the part. He called me back 9 days later, had the part and came to install the next day (once again on time!). Upon arrival he asked again about shoes in the house, got right to work, made the fix quickly and we were good.
Before they put the new Range back into place, I asked him if the unit could fit better if our contractor adjusted gas line link. He assessed it, gave me a description - and then on the spot drew for me a diagram for our contractor to follow so that the Range could fit better in the space we had.
I was pleased in the end. In my opinion, if they had better, more interested people answering the phone, things could go much better for them. I've worked phones much in my life, and for myself for the last 25 years (my customers consistently comment on how 'easy I am to work with'). I know how important that first communication with customers is. Good attitude on the phones is Everything in the service industry -- it improves attitudes on both sides, and improves your day, and just keeps giving back. read more