Current Legal Status?

[MADDEN 40]

The levels of incompetency I haave experienced in the few months I have been here is unreal ! At every turn! I'm not just talking about going through government processes like immigration but anything I mean anything which means interaction with another human being. From ordering coffee to liaising with medical clinics! The frontline staff are full of individuals whom I honestly imagine have a carer dressing them in the mornings as no way could they possibly do it on their own!

In every case it's needed a supervisor to handle the issue I.e taking back a microwave that caught fire after 6 weeks of owning it... After saying what happened the reply was "does it still work?!" No clue how to give a refund! Why are they on the customer service help desk then?

As for call centres I tell no lie when I say I am comfortably in double figures calling the cable and mobile phone companies for incorrect billing. (Which they acknowledge they have incorrectly charged... I have had to call up separately to get the "correction" amended)

We have lived in our apartment for 5 months and not once has the bill been correct, again they realise this and since February have been trying to "fix it" but to no avail

Customer service in the US is a misnomer... As foreigners it was always taught that this country knew how to provide world class service. Tell that to the youth of today as I don't think they agree on needing to be pleasant.

There is a distinct deterioration as I have stayed here in non tourist areas I hasten to add for many many years and gradually over time I have seen the change in behaviours towards customers. Yes back in the 90's I still did think the US knew how to look after clientele but no longer.

You take the award when it comes to your "native language" as that really made me laugh.

For me I pretty much know I am going to have a hard time initially until I am seen by a supervisor who invariably has sorted out any issues with minimum fuss... Just such they would train their staff!

Ha!! The worst for us has been the Social Security office, I spent an hour trying to explain that they had my name wrong (middle name was joined onto my first). Even after writing my name out the correct way the guy still didn't get it. LOL.

[ExtraTerrestrial 3]

It's funny, because some of my best customer service experiences have been in this country, too. When I first came here a few years ago I was amazed to be called sir everywhere I went (big contrast to 'mate', 'buddy', 'man' etc), and have such friendly discussions with people on the other side of the counter. In fact outside of working situations, I have met so many kind strangers at cafes/Wawa, on public transport, out fishing etc. In general, Americans are great people.

I certainly don't like the stereotype that Americans are dumb - this is a great country that has achieved great things. I'm sure we wouldn't all be here if we didn't like it! Perhaps there is something about working for $8/hr that causes people to give up.

Anyway, a little off topic now but I will keep you updated on this supposed letter i am getting from USCIS to take back to the DMV. We can all keep dreaming of the day we will be USCIS free!

[MADDEN 40]

It's funny, because some of my best customer service experiences have been in this country, too. When I first came here a few years ago I was amazed to be called sir everywhere I went (big contrast to 'mate', 'buddy', 'man' etc), and have such friendly discussions with people on the other side of the counter. In fact outside of working situations, I have met so many kind strangers at cafes/Wawa, on public transport, out fishing etc. In general, Americans are great people.

I certainly don't like the stereotype that Americans are dumb - this is a great country that has achieved great things. I'm sure we wouldn't all be here if we didn't like it! Perhaps there is something about working for $8/hr that causes people to give up.

Anyway, a little off topic now but I will keep you updated on this supposed letter i am getting from USCIS to take back to the DMV. We can all keep dreaming of the day we will be USCIS free!

Amen to that!!!

[Teddy B 17,252]

The levels of incompetency I haave experienced in the few months I have been here is unreal ! At every turn! I'm not just talking about going through government processes like immigration but anything I mean anything which means interaction with another human being. From ordering coffee to liaising with medical clinics! The frontline staff are full of individuals whom I honestly imagine have a carer dressing them in the mornings as no way could they possibly do it on their own!

In every case it's needed a supervisor to handle the issue I.e taking back a microwave that caught fire after 6 weeks of owning it... After saying what happened the reply was "does it still work?!" No clue how to give a refund! Why are they on the customer service help desk then?

As for call centres I tell no lie when I say I am comfortably in double figures calling the cable and mobile phone companies for incorrect billing. (Which they acknowledge they have incorrectly charged... I have had to call up separately to get the "correction" amended)

We have lived in our apartment for 5 months and not once has the bill been correct, again they realise this and since February have been trying to "fix it" but to no avail

Customer service in the US is a misnomer... As foreigners it was always taught that this country knew how to provide world class service. Tell that to the youth of today as I don't think they agree on needing to be pleasant.

There is a distinct deterioration as I have stayed here in non tourist areas I hasten to add for many many years and gradually over time I have seen the change in behaviours towards customers. Yes back in the 90's I still did think the US knew how to look after clientele but no longer.

You take the award when it comes to your "native language" as that really made me laugh.

For me I pretty much know I am going to have a hard time initially until I am seen by a supervisor who invariably has sorted out any issues with minimum fuss... Just such they would train their staff!

Good post and spot on! Everything these days takes 3 or 4 tries to get it right. No one cares and they act like you're putting them out!

I totally agree about the current state of customer service in the USA. I've taken to saying thank you after transactions with clerks now, wondering if they'll get the point that saying thank you after a transaction is a common courtesy when someone spends money at your business. They invariable say you're welcome back, as if they did a favor by letting me spend money there.

There are so many people I want to dope slap on a daily basis, I need three extra sets of hands.

[Ortolan 381]

This is sort of a hijacked thread, innit? Successful communication begins with clarity and preparation. If you're having such trouble in every facet of your interactions with customer service reps, it's probably not always their fault.

You also have to consider the education level and life experience of the customer service representative. I wouldn't expect the same level of communication skills at, say, McDonald's as I would from American Express.

[gpiper 77]

As I don't frequent Mcdonalds I could not attest to your theory.

I will concede that it is possible that my wording might not provide the clarity that an individual is seeking however I doubt that is true in my case as for my interactions with individuals I can say quite clearly that as I do back home I thoroughly research the options open to me before starting an encounter so at least I have an idea of what someone might propose to me. It's called doing your homework.

If you think I was talking about some snotty nosed little teenager straight out of high school and should be forgiven then alas I must inform you such a fellow isn't who I encounter on a daily basis. These are grown adults who as some one has put it quite succinctly are paid very low wages and therefore just don't care. Not that is an excuse but I do have many American friends and my wife's family who say that usually they go straight to asking for a manager to get anything done. Now I see for myself why that is! There is no stereotyping going on here just my very own observations. I truly wish I could give examples where I have received very good service too to balance out my thoughts but I keep coming across individuals who fail to perform basic tasks.

Those not experiencing anything like this are lucky in my opinion!

I just remembered one outstanding level of customer service and that is using the Starwood hotels call centre. Being a platinum member they are so courteous in their interactions with me. I have never had to repeat a request or have had any problems throughout my 10 year association with them. I forgot they are an American outfit so apologies for not remembering that sooner.

ps some of what I say rings true back in the UK just not to this extent.

Hijack of post over, please continue with the original posting discussion.

Edited June 2, 2016 by gpiper

[yuna628 9,700]

Strange we've had good success with all state government entities so far. Where I expected the SSA or the DMV to give us problems we have had few issues. I thought this due to us being a tiny town that has often been repeated to me ''we don't git nun too many of dos foreeeeiners here cept mexicuns'' or another man who enjoyed our love of traveling the world ''oh my god! he's british! thank you, thank you! I didn't know there were other cultured people in this town!" O_o??? That's not to say that we haven't encountered some stinkers in our midst. I'm used to seeing incompetence in either country though. You shouldn't be shocked to have to ask for a supervisor or manager. That's their job, to step in when someone hasn't got as much knowledge.