Treated like a moron by customer service!

@lilybug (21107)
United States
March 28, 2008 9:45am CST
I bought a Little Leaps learning system for my daughter last night. When I tried the codes to set it up with my DVD player, none of them worked. I called customer service and the guy that answered gave me some more codes to try. Ok, I tired them and none work. I called back this morning and got a lady. She gave me a few more codes. None worked. I called back for a 3rd time. The lady on the phone was treating my like I am a moron because the system says it cannot communicate with the DVD player. I even tried 2 different brands. Neither one worked! I emailed them to complain about the way she was talking to me. Have you been treated like an idiot by customer service before? How did you handle it?
2 people like this
10 responses
@wickedangel (1636)
• Dominican Republic
28 Mar 08
Oh yes, I think because they are at the other end of the telephone they can treat like dirt. Some of them can be incredibly nice and patient but others just make you want to grind your teeth. The thing that I hate the most are those lines that you have to press X to go to this option, press 2 to go to another option and after you have got to the last of all the options it either cuts you off or you get some idiot who just asks you to call another number. And so off you go again.... I suppose you are going to have go back to the store and get another learning system? There is nothing more frustrating than going out and buying something only to find it doesn't work when you get home. We bought a new tv last week and tried to plug it into our DVD, at the moment it is working (finally!) but we can only get the picture in black and white - grrrrnnn. Unfortunately there isn't a number I can call and the shop is a 3-4 hr drive away (groan). Good luck!
• Australia
28 Mar 08
Sorry this has nothing to do with the discussion but I think I might know what the problem is see if you have options that say something like pal or something on the dvd if you change those it should work I can check it out on my tv but not right now as everyone is sleeping.
• Philippines
29 Mar 08
I have never received that kind of treatment yet. However, I work in the customer service industry, too. What you did, sent them an email, is right. One thing I advise you to do is ask for a Supervisor. These rude customer service representatives should be off the phones and they should be fired. From what I know, rudeness to customers is always a terminable offense. That's based on many company policies, at least. Another thing you can do is to stand your ground and be firm. Ask the customer service representative what his job is. Tell him and make him understand that it is his job to help you and that you are the very source of the food he brings in his dining table. Tehre are two possible things that may happen: either he disconnects the phone call or he says sorry. Either way, always ask for a supervisor so these types of behavior are addressed. One way or another, this employee will be fired if he pursues this unwanted behavior.
• New Zealand
28 Mar 08
Hi there. I have been treated like that. I was buying 2 drinks and the Customer Service Representative said that I had to buy the most Expensive to get the Free Drink. As it so happened the 2 was only my 1 drink and the other was someone else who was with Me at the time. I handle it by just saying to them that I was only getting the one drink and after I had drunk that drink I went and walked out and cos I passing a few more times and they were there still I just walked past and gave them the look as if to say "I was the one in the right and you did not order my things properly." Suffice it to say I avoid that place if I know that person is on Counter Duty. It's a great place and I love the drinks there but her Service was shocking that day or maybe it was just the way she was treating the situation. Catch ya later.
• India
29 Mar 08
yes, not me but my uncle was treated like that, at the customer care service he brought a famous Videocon washing machine but some technical problems he was facing like in running of the machine ... it was new so he did not know how it works properly. so he asked for help i think 5 times or so .... and if you saw how he was treated you will be amazed. they were so annoyed by the call each time!
@jenni7202 (1598)
• United States
28 Mar 08
Yes, I've had this problem before, and I tend to just give them a piece of my mind and then hang up on them. I usually call back and then report them, as well as email the company with my problem. I can't stand it when people think they can talk to you like your stupid just because you can't get something to work. Did they ever think that the product they sold you is just a piece of crap? No, they don't, and they don't care either. I hope you got everything straightened out. I also hope something was done to the woman who treated you that way.
• Philippines
29 Mar 08
Having worked previously in a customer service, actually mine would be technical service, sad to say that there are really reps who are not doing their job to the best of their capabilities. Some representative would provide false information just to shorten the call, while others do not know exactly what to do and just would say other things. Though, some customers on the other line are not really easy to work with, as they want the issue to be resolved quickly. But I still believe that the customer has the every right to complain because they are paying the service and they are entitled to a best customer service treatment. As a customer, I have been treated badly as well. An example is when I complain regarding my phone bill. The rep would say they would just file a report and I was not given a definite resolution for the issue. I was frustrated, when I was told that someone would call me back , when I know that it is likely possible. I was freaking out and ask for a supervisor , then suddenly I heard beep on the other line., then got cut off. I just called back ,ask immediately for a supervisor who took over the call.
• United States
28 Mar 08
I can think of 2 different times I felt like an idiot while trying to get help. And I swear these two ladies were working together (even though one was at hallmark and one was at eye masters ;P lol). But they both said something very similar to me...which implies that I should be able to read minds or something! But here's what happened! 1) I called into EyeMasters to see if I could get some contacts that day. ( I had dropped on of my last 2 down the sink X.X) The guy that answered told me he'd have to transfer me to a doctor. When she answered I told her I needed new contacts. She started giving me a number to call and I told her that i was just transferred to her by that number. In a very rude/snide voice she said "Why would they transfer you to me?" I was like...How The Heck Should I Know!?!? Wlak down the hall and ask! lol. *I did not say that! But I thought it* Well she told me that I couldn't get new contacts and I had to come in for a new eye exam before getting new contacts. Okay this second story got me even madder than the first! I think it was the first time I showed real anger in public! lol. 2) I was visiting my grandma in montana and we went to the Hallmark store. I bought my mom this really cute frog fountain I knew she would like. I had it mailed to her from montana. When it got there it was broken. My grandma talked to her Hallmark store and they said if I brought the fountain to a store in Arizona (where I live) I could get a refund or exhange for it. So I took the fountain in. The girl that I first approached called a manager after I explained the situation. When the manager came I gave her the receipt, told her what happened, told her what the other store told me. She was explaining to me (in a very condiscending tone) that she can't do anything to help me because it was not purchased at this store. She repeated that a few times. So I told her again that the store in Montana said I would be able to get it returned here. And then she took off her glasses, looked at me like a moron, and kind of did a little laugh when she said, "Why would they tell you that?" *she also repeated this a few times* (WHY THE HECK DO PEOPLE THINK I KNOW WHAT OTHER PEOPLE ARE THINKING!?!?!) lol. I was so mad! I felt like a complete idiot when I left that store with my broken fountain!
@whywiki (6066)
• Canada
28 Mar 08
It is so frustrating when trying to get through to some customer service reps. You have to try and convince them first that you aren't a complete idiot before they even try to want to help!
@violeta_va (4831)
• Australia
28 Mar 08
What do you mean, do you want to say that there are companies that actually treat you like a normal thinling inteligente person WOW. If that was the case I wont be able to answer this as none of them treat me like I have brain biger than a M & M. Why dont you get broadbend it is faster and you can actually use the phone at the same time (NOOOOO REALLY and here I am using fire smoke to comunicate with people), what do you mean your internet conection is gone have you turned the computer on (No I like to use the internet when the computer is off saves on electricity). Honestly I dont even bother to think about those things as I am so used to it.
@ersmommy1 (12588)
• United States
28 Mar 08
I work and have worked in customer service. When I come across these individuals, I generally ask for their superior. Some indiviuals have a bad day and take it out on the customer. Others just shouldn't be working in customer service. Gives those of us who do the job well a bad reputation.