How Many Times A Week Do You Hold Your Words

fmdog44

fmdog44

Well-known Member
Location
Houston, Texas
Just got off the phone with Synchrony Bank Customer Service, the worst bank in the world. I got so mad I was temped to say what I definitely should not. Not all but some customer service reps appear as if they have no ability to grasp what you are trying to do so they just run over everything you have tried and when you explain as clearly as possible it sails right over their heads. Maybe I have little patience but it is not all on me. I know it is a thankless job but they chose it so …….
 

Unfortunately, many "customer service" reps simply read from a script. If their checklist doesn't fix the problem, they're stumped.

And yes, I'd rather have a tooth pulled than deal with any customer service.
 
How Many Times A Week Do You Hold Your Words

As a youth I freely expressed my feelings, unexamined and unfiltered, and sometimes in a vicious manner.

As I matured, I learned to pick my battles and moderate my language to serve my own advantage, or so I thought.

As an old man, I tend to speak less and think more. I've seen enough of the world and its ways; learned the folly of verbal confrontation.

Good seldom comes from a sharp retort fueled by anger or frustration. Holding that anger and frustration inside is not healthy. Understanding the source of the anger or frustration can eliminate it altogether.


Well, sounds good in theory anyway . . . in reality, probably 6-8 times a week.

:grin:
 

I find in talking to people on the phone it's more productive to just explain my situation and listen to what they have to say and then when they say something totally irrelevant and I've had enough I simply say that I have other things I have to get to now and goodbye.
 
fmdog44 said:
Just got off the phone with Synchrony Bank Customer Service, the worst bank in the world. I got so mad I was temped to say what I definitely should not. Not all but some customer service reps appear as if they have no ability to grasp what you are trying to do so they just run over everything you have tried and when you explain as clearly as possible it sails right over their heads. Maybe I have little patience but it is not all on me. I know it is a thankless job but they chose it so …….
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Things continue to deteriorate.

A few weeks ago I called my credit card (MC) to hopefully clarify something. I've had this card since 1993. Their website is next to useless for most things, including this. But I COULD NOT get a hold of a human being no matter what button I pressed.

So, being more than a little upset, I went to my local bank where I've had accounts for 37 years. It is a small branch; there is a manager and assistant, and maybe 4-5 tellers. I know the manager (small town, everybody knows everybody) and asked her about getting a credit card. "Sure!" It barely took five minutes.

However, she had to call my old CC to cancel my account. She did get a human being, and was put on a conference call because she had a few questions for me. One was, "Why are you dropping the account?"

My answer: "Two hours ago I called you for clarification on a charge and I could not get ahold of a human being. That's it. That's the reason." If I have any problems with the new CC account I can walk right into the bank (I eat lunch every day next door to it) and ask, or I can call the manager any time. Usually, you can't beat local service.

Twenty-some years ago I got a lesson in thinking "experts" at Microsoft -- or any other computer-related companies -- actually know anything. I had a problem with the new Microsoft Money, and the "expert" had me delete ALL of my data and start over. I later learned that it wasn't necessary.

In January I bought a new PC from Dell for my business. Great machine, but after about a month I was getting "The Blue Screen of Death" all the time. They had me doing all sorts of things over a period of a week or two -- none of which worked. Then the standard answer -- re-install Windows.

I threw this at a good buddy of mine, and over a few days of questions he had for me, he hit on the problem. I did what he said (took 5 minutes) and have had zero crashes since (it's been 4-5 weeks).

These stories are endless so I'll stop while I'm ahead.
 
Not to often but last week I really was on the edge. I wanted to make an upside down pineapple cake for Easter. I hadn't made it in a very long time and always used a particular cake mix for the base.
I bought the mix and noticed the amount in the package had changed as well as some of the directions.
I decided to call the number on the box and ask if I could make the cake the way I always did.

After holding 3 times I was connected to someone who should know this information.

I explained my situation. She said, Wow! that sounds like a lovely dessert for Easter. I again asked my questions. She informed me they now sell a mix just for an upside down pineapple cake. I said, "I know but I have always used this one.

She said, let me look it up. She said she didn't see it listed. I asked if she thinks it would work. She said maybe. Then she said the words that put me over the edge. Will you be putting pineapple on your up side down pineapple cake? No, I thought, I was leaning more toward tomato and mozzarella cheese. Good Lord! Where do they get these people?

I was nice though. I told her I'd follow my old directions. She said good luck and asked if she could be of any other assistance . I said no and hung up.

I was in disbelief the whole day to the point that the hubby said I should get over it.

I might add my cake turned out just fine the old way and is tucked in the freezer for Easter dinner. This story will definitely be told over dessert on Easter Sunday.
 
I don't remember the last time I held my words. Most likely because when I figured out when I couldn't control whatever was frustrating me I let it go. When something fails I usually look up the item manual pdf online. Then when talking to a service rep I can explain the trouble shooting steps taken. Getting a replacement part or new whatever hasn't been a problem.
 
Not really. I’m not good at all. Needs improvement at forums. I’m not the same in real life though. I’m actually fairly shy and reserved

My need for excessive explaining I have yet to understand
Like Lara I’m still learning to walk away but I’m a rebel without a cause.

More awareness needed on my part.

Note: Really admire and appreciate those who do this well though. I wish I could be the calm , cool & collected type at all times :love_heart:
 
I try all the time to not flip out on someone. Sometimes it works but I have to admit occasionally it doesn't. If it relates to a call on the phone when I'm trying to get help with something many times when I get frustrated I just hang up,cool off and call again hoping to get someone else. I remember one time I said to the person on the phone that I was recording the call. They said I couldn't do that and I said they told me they were doing it,so I said if they could so could I. Funny but the issue got resolved.
 
one time I said to the person on the phone that I was recording the call. They said I couldn't do that and I said they told me they were doing it,so I said if they could so could I. Funny but the issue got resolved.
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Sassy, that was perfect!
 
Ruth n Jersey said:
Not to often but last week I really was on the edge. I wanted to make an upside down pineapple cake for Easter. I hadn't made it in a very long time and always used a particular cake mix for the base.
I bought the mix and noticed the amount in the package had changed as well as some of the directions.
I decided to call the number on the box and ask if I could make the cake the way I always did.

After holding 3 times I was connected to someone who should know this information.

I explained my situation. She said, Wow! that sounds like a lovely dessert for Easter. I again asked my questions. She informed me they now sell a mix just for an upside down pineapple cake. I said, "I know but I have always used this one.

She said, let me look it up. She said she didn't see it listed. I asked if she thinks it would work. She said maybe. Then she said the words that put me over the edge. Will you be putting pineapple on your up side down pineapple cake? No, I thought, I was leaning more toward tomato and mozzarella cheese. Good Lord! Where do they get these people?

I was nice though. I told her I'd follow my old directions. She said good luck and asked if she could be of any other assistance . I said no and hung up.

I was in disbelief the whole day to the point that the hubby said I should get over it.

I might add my cake turned out just fine the old way and is tucked in the freezer for Easter dinner. This story will definitely be told over dessert on Easter Sunday.
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Ugh, how frustrating, Ruth. I have seen so many complaints about the change in cake mix sizes... and what a ridiculous thing for the manufacturers to do. For all these years the mix was made for a certain size baking pan, and now "they" say you have to add 1/3 to 1/2 of ANOTHER package of mix to get the same size cake. Why didn't the idiots just raise the price on the standard size mixes???? Anyway, I'm glad your cake worked out!! I love pineapple upside-down cake.
 
I just lost my cool this morning with a service rep that "works" for an HVAC supply company that I have been buying equipment from for over 20 years. In all the years prior to this guy starting at this company I had little to no problems with any of the people or the service I received from this company and everything ran fairly smoothly. For the last three years or so that this guy has been assigned to our account every transaction has been like pulling teeth. He never reads my e-mails completely and always screws everything up on the first try and then we spend half a day getting things right. I have bent over backwards trying to make things simpler for this guy and lead him by the hand, but it always ends up with me getting frustrated and the "sorry for the confusion" e-mail in the end. Well today was my breaking point and my frustration boiled over in an e-mail to him. After I was done writing his e-mail I then sent his boss (who I've been working with for 15 years) an e-mail asking that this guy be removed from any future activity with our account.

While I always try to keep my cool and usually do, life is too short to be repeatedly dealing with idiots.
 
Never ever tell off a customer service rep at your credit card company! One push of a button and your account is" accidentally" closed. Closed accounts cannot be reopened so you have to reapply. This can really effect your credit. A little off topic but thought I'd issue the warning.

Anyhow, I have kept my mouth shut lots lately. Not saying to my daughter what I want to say to my daughter, but being all nice and supportive. Sigh.
 
Oh, I opened my mouth this morning. I was in Ross Dress for Less and wanted to try on a couple of shirts. I headed to the back and the dressing rooms were "closed", I assumed for updating (which they badly need). The sign said to use the two portable dressing rooms in the front of the store. Back to the front of the store I go, and there's a line to use the two little cubicles. Wait, and wait, and wait.

The lady behind me says the rooms AREN'T closed for renovations, but just because the store now won't open the dressing rooms until there are an "adequate" number of shoppers in the store. WHAT? At 10:00 on a weekday morning, I have to stand in line for several minutes to try on clothes?

I gave the manager a piece of my mind. He said he wasn't pleased with it, either, but it's something corporate is trying out. He was most apologetic. I gave corporate a piece of what was left of my mind when I got home.
 
Years ago I was behind a mother and her very young daughter at a cafeteria and they ere taking forever on deciding which item to have put on their plates. It was lunch time and a work day. I was tempted to just garb my tray and walk pass them which would have been justified. Well we finally got to the cash register and paid then sat down close to the young mother & child and I am still upset with their lack of consideration for others in line. I glanced over toward them to see them both giving thanks to God for their food in a prayer. It was at that moment I was very happy I did not say anything.
 
Here's a little hack I've learned in dealing with customer service: When the rep answers the phone "Hello, my name is _______, how may I help you?", answer gleefully, "Oh, what a coincidence! My father's (mother's) name is ________, too! Oh, I KNOW we're going to get along!" Now, you've established a personal connection with them and most of the time, they'll feel the need to work with you. Of course, it's a little hard when their names are Mohandamahas or something of the like, but then Mohandamahas usually goes by "Bob", so you're safe.
 

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