I'm done with companies that focus on sales rather than service

seadoug

Well-known Member
Location
Texas
Yes, I need to vent. There were two companies I contacted today that frustrated me to no end.

The first was American Home Shield. We've been covered by AHS for almost 20 years. They have raised their annual rate and rate for service calls significantly. The quality of their contractors has also declined over the years. The past couple of times they've come to the house, they haven't been able to fix the issue and I've still paid the AHS service fee. I now have an electrician, a plumbing company, a garage door repair company and an A/C company that I work with directly.

So, today I called to cancel my contract. After holding, I spoke to someone who asked me to provide all my information. After that, I was told I would need to be transferred to another department. That person asked me to verify my information all over again and simply wouldn't take "no" for an answer. When she put me on hold, I told her I had advised them I was canceling and would be contacting my credit card company to decline their charges. She did come back on the line and lowered the contract price TWICE. I once again explained I had my own service companies and after 25 minutes in total my contract was canceled. My blood was boiling after this. I would never use them again simply because of this experience.

The second company I contacted was Pella Windows. They installed all new windows in 2020 and they've been great, but I need a replacement window screen. That's it. You can bet that if I'd called to have an installation done they would have picked up immediately. I contacted them both through their website chat window and via email with the window specifics and never heard back. I've had an issue with one window not going up and when I called for repair I was on terminal hold so I gave up. I had Pella windows installed because my next door neighbor couldn't say enough good things about them. They are overall great windows but there is no service after sale.

I'm just done with companies like this.
 

I feel your pain and frustration, I think we've all experience that aggravation to some degree. I really hate being put on hold for a long time, finally when someone picks up and you give them all your details as requested, they put you through to someone else. Then, that person asks you all the same questions, wanting the same information again, etc. Sometimes you just get suddenly disconnected after all that, and it does make your blood boil.

That's too bad about the windows, they were high quality and perhaps at the time of installation the service was good. But, the company and its service is only as good as the current employees/management, which seem to change year after year. Sigh, not much you can do but what you've already done. Cancel if necessary and hope that all goes smoothly.
 
@SeaBreeze said it better than I could.

T-Mobile was the burr under my saddle, when I fell backward off the step, under the barn overhang, literally crushing my skull open and couldn’t get service. I was in open air, except for the metal roof — the same metal roof that Verizon isn bothered with. T-Mobile had the gall to text me and ask why I left them. Boyyyyyyy did I ever unleash on them, with great pleasure I might add.

FWIW, I have much better results with local Mom n Pop companies in my area, but even those have to be carefully scrutinized and I hope for the best.
 

@seadoug ; You're likely very aware, and wouldn't be surprised, if I say the travel industry that has taken a complete nose dive in Customer Service since Covid descimated that industry in 2020.

Once all the package providers, cruise lines, air lines cut everything they could, customer service was almost non-existent and it hasn't come back much to this day. The people they hired after things got going again don't have the experience they really need. My travel agent is constantly on the spin cycle these days just trying to keep things that used to be easy on the rails now and she's really good. It's not easy out there so be kind to your travel agent if you have one!
 
I usually don't give advice on the internet but I feel your pain so here is my take on your situation.

Home Warranty Plans by American Home Shield®


I believe this is the company you purchased your equipment from and financed your warranty from. If the compaany's employers installed or used subcontractors for installatio you may have to duplicate your efforts.

1.Call, hand write and e-mail the owner, president and customer service and/or complaint dept. Use USPS signed receipts for snail mail. Get names and their corporate positions. Explain to them the promised repairs that you have reported have not been addressed within the agreed time limit.

I'm not aware of civil litigation cases in Texas but I hope this helps

2. TJB

3. File a Complaint | Consumer Complaints | Better Business Bureau

4. Ask a Legal Question Now. Get Answers from lawyers -- ASAP

I hoped this helped.
 
@seadoug ; You're likely very aware, and wouldn't be surprised, if I say the travel industry that has taken a complete nose dive in Customer Service since Covid descimated that industry in 2020.

Once all the package providers, cruise lines, air lines cut everything they could, customer service was almost non-existent and it hasn't come back much to this day. The people they hired after things got going again don't have the experience they really need. My travel agent is constantly on the spin cycle these days just trying to keep things that used to be easy on the rails now and she's really good. It's not easy out there so be kind to your travel agent if you have one!
Yes, I'm painfully aware. The cruise industry used Covid to let go most of their most experienced (and highly paid) employees, and even though their business has bounced back the big lines are still beholden to shareholders and have decided they can just maintain the lower standard of customer service to decrease costs. I can't imagine being a travel agent these days and having to deal with the current crop of reservations agents. :(
 
What irks me is when you call for service and the first person gives you all the wrong info and can't help you but,

you hang up and call back and get a different agent and they can take care of you no problem. It's like. WTH is going on with these companies?

Do they think crappy help is acceptable ever since covid?
 


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