paulry

I find that here in Australia customer service is often very poor and there is a "we couldn't care less about the customer, so do your damndest" attitude which I rarely saw in the UK. Maybe it's because people don't complain enough that the cowboys think they can get away with it? Does anyone here use customer review/feedback sites like this one?

AlliF

You is not allowed to complain cos that makes you a whinging pom innit?

Didnt even know that site existed. Will have a lookee at it.
I think the problem is complaining after poor customer service usually doesn't make any positive difference for that person - the damage has been done by that point and it usually just makes it more stressful! (Unless of course you are the kind of person that enjoys that kind of thing!)

I was just saying the other day after being to Maccas that whenever we go there they ALWAYS seem to get the order wrong. But because we use the drive thru, by the time you discover that you are so far away its too much hassle to go back and complain/get it changed.
Same with foods from Woolies and their ilk. Stuff goes off before use by date etc but because of the small monetary value of the goods nobody can be arsed making a fuss. So they get away with it. Probably should make the effort to go back really...

paulry

True about the whinging pom accusation but we mustn't allow ourselves to be silenced by it.

The site is pretty good, people can give good or bad reviews. In fact so far I've given more good reviews than bad.

Regarding MacDonalds: Some things never change, I escaped from living near the worst in Britain only to end up living near the worst in Australia. ....Or maybe they're all bad?

Pollyana

Personal experience only....... Aussies are very laid back, the "she'll be right"attitude, which means they don't generally complain... when we do, we become the whingers.....after a few years you get just get a sore head from

roaringmouse

I prefer the Product Review website than the one you mentioned, for reasons I'd rather not mention in an open forum. Covers both products and retailers.

Amazulu

I agree that customer service is poor here, and that the retail experience in the UK is better, but their customer service is certainly not. I found it poor when I lived there and have found the same since on visits.

GarryP

For local businesses that wouldn't know 'customer focus' from a hole in the head, I tend to suggest finding it on Google Maps, then posting a review there. A few one star reviews and others will notice to avoid them.

Correspondingly, you can find out if others have had bad dealings with them in the past.

chris955

Its quite strange when i went to the a year or so ago i was told to expect surly miserable shop assistants but my actual experience was totally different, all but one person were very friendly and helpful. I certainly had no reason to complain about customer service on my visit. I find here it is like America, very insincere.

paulry

Yes definately the retail experience is better. But shite service here can be particularly breathtaking. I received a shocking service from someone yesterday who I discovered this morning is the president of the ACT group in his profession.

Here I find they blow hot and cold. Some go out of their way to be helpful and provide an excellent service whilst others just don't give a continental....

It's interesting that you say that here is like the US: insincere.

iamthecreaturefromuranus

Yes. Funnily enough I used it only the other day, while assessing sites to buy a new gaming PC from... and yes, it really did influence my choice.

northernbird

I have found friendly people both here and the UK. I don't care if it is sincere or not. As long as they are polite. The woman in M&S or Target won't remember me if I go back a week later so as long as they treat me with courtesy during my transaction I don't care if they mean what they are saying or if they are reading from a script.

chris955

Yes absolutely, the contrast is amazing. Of course you get good and bad everywhere but I'm just not keen on the almost scripted welcome, as I say very similar to the US.

iamthecreaturefromuranus

Might sound a bit bizzare to some... but I can't think of a single instance when I haven't been treated with courtesy.

A question for those folks who have found the opposite to be true, what's happening that you find so bad? Are assistants telling to to "**** off, we don't want your money" or something?

Maybe it's just different where I am?