amazon.com - a bitter pill...
Regrettably, I feel compelled to toss in my perceptions of amazon.com's poor 'customer service', and will be direct (?)
1. During my last three purchases, two were total disasters because of errors on their part. I admit this was very atypical of my experiences with them, but it made me very concerned as it highlighted how poorly they are set up to handle problems.
2. I called 7 times to try and get direct answers - in 5 of those calls I talked to 'customer service reps' (3 Indian, 2 Phillipino (sp?) - I politely asked them their location/nationality) who did not understand English well enough to make the exchange constructive or efficient. Don't misunderstand me, it was obvious they were working their backsides off trying their very best to help, but the management did not give them the tools and information they needed to be efficient and helpful. I blame the management totally.
3. I then transferred my efforts to email - equally a disaster. I asked the same questions, and made the same requests 3 times, and each time got the same 'canned' reply, which did not answer my query. Again, the email responses were based on personnel not being given the tools they needed. I finally got the corporate mailing address, and will spend the time writing a long constructive letter on how amazon.com needs to change their obvious (?) decision to make customer service for grievances inefficient, difficult, and obtuse.
4. Having said all this, I have made many 'happy' purchases from amazon in the past, but agree they have slid downhill, so I have mixed emotions - until I am forced to plow through all their useless 'tailored' SPAM when you log in. I really don't need 'recommendations', nor 'suggestions', nor 'gold boxes' with trivial discounts, nor suggestions for things I'm not even looking for?!! Perhaps if we all write in with complaints???
Naaaah! What a waste of time, when you could be cooking for friends, or cooking with friends, and wine to boot! Tonight my friends and I are pulling a 'reefer dinner'. Each of us brings something out of their fridge to make a meal (general assignments as to course, but that's it). So far, what has shown up is frog legs (honkin' huge ones - IQF from China), diver scallops (gorgeous - but I think these just didn't happen to be 'in the fridge!'), Sicilian salt packed capers, Manchego cheese, fresh basil, and one rippin' good Sauvignon Blanc! Don't know how it will come together yet, but 4 more people need to show up, and I've got mango gelato in my machine right now! Cheers.
"Living well is the best revenge."
