I have been in the Customer Service industry for over 20 years. I am currently a self titled "Workplace success Consultant" I am periodically asked to come in to companies and speak to their employees about the right way and the wrong way to treat customers. About 2 weeks ago I had an issue with my cars media system not remaining connecting with my music source devices. the associate who assisted me a young man Named David, to the best of my recollection came out to my vehicle, answered all my questions and together we came up with multiple possible causes of the problems the options ranged from relatively inexpensive to "may as well buy a new car" we decided the best thing to do first would be to replace my charging/syncing wire. It would be the least expensive problem to resolve and then if it didnt fix it.... then I was out 20 bucks no biggie...
O'Reilly's carried the item. THEY HAD the item on their shelf. But the associate advised me to go to a competitor first because he believed that "they" would carry the same item for less. I went to the competitor, they were higher in price... and although well known for their price matching meet or beat policy.... I chose to return to O'reilly's and not even give the other place the opportunity to beat O'reilly's price because of how impressed I was with the associates honesty, candor, and customer satisfaction goals.
I called O'reilly's to make certain they still had the item, and double check the price. I asked Kendall, who answered the phone to pull one aside for me, she said she would and did. Very professional, polite, and pleasant to deal with. I purchased the item, then asked to speak to the GM, Charles. I told him what I thought of the employees and their treatment of their customers. I told Charles what I do for a living and he thanked me for the compliment. I went out to my car and immediately went to their site to fill out a customer satisfaction survey. It was GLOWING, and they EARNED IT.
after I had completed the survey and submitted it... I took my new wire and plugged it in. Suddenly my car wasn't having hit or miss issues ... it wouldn't identify my device at ALL. I went back into the store and spoke with the first available associate, Justin.
I told him - that I had just bought this wire because mine was damaged and defective... I tried your wire and now my car won't recognize my device at all.
he looked me right in the face and said "you sure its not your car?"
no - it isnt my car
maybe you have a bad fuse...
My blood started to boil.. I said .. ya know what - I'll wait for Kendall.
justin responded in a tone that can only be replayed in my mind as shrugging, saying whatever, and walking away from me.
I connected with Kendall, and said "bad wire"
Oh no - lets get you another one.
you read my mind
She got another wire, I took it out to my car, plugged it in and low and behold, it worked. the wire I had bought was indeed defective. Just as I had told Justin. Kendall offered me a more expensive version of the product for the same price .. I turned the extra pieces down, saying All I ever wanted was a good working wire.
I leaned close and told her I had taken the survey and they would be quite pleased with it. She thanked me very much. And then I said ... you're all lucky I ran into YOU instead of HIM, referring to Justin... or it would have been a whole different review. She apologized and we agreed that she would let Charles know what had happened.
What is this guy's problem.... why is this tweedle giving this company a glowing review but 1 star? I can hear you thinking to yourself.
Well it is because today I returned to the store with another electrical issue.
and Justin was the only associate available in the store. I explained my issue and asked if they had any tool that would help narrow down where the problem actually was... I told him about the trouble shooting I had already done. He said "No we don't have any such tool" FINE. The store phone rang, and I said "go ahead..." as in go ahead and answer the phone, ask if the caller could hold and then finish our conversation.... he answered the phone and rather than thanking her for calling and asking if he could place her on hold.... he said Yes Ma'am how may I help you and walked away ... with me standing at counter looking at him... eyebrows raised head bobbing as if to say uhm ... So apparently we're done with MY ISSUE... I left ... drive a few blocks away and called the shop, Justin answered and in a happy polite voice I said "Hi Justin, is your GM available, Charles is it?" He said yes sir I believe he is one moment please. a moment later Charles came on the line... I reminded him of who I was - what my dealings had been - and he remembered me,,,,
I told him how happy I was with his treatment of me, my interactions with Kendall and David... and then my voice dropped and I added "but after two interactions with Justin, you will never see me in your store again. and hung up. read more