With all of our advances in technology one of the things I appreciate, and miss, is a live customer service person when I call a company or a store. Lately I have had to make ALOT of phone calls to different companies and stores looking for various products. As an example, August has us searching the country for Hershey’s Candy Cane kisses. We have visited several grocery stores, candy stores, and drug stores looking for them only to strike out everywhere. Finally, we went to the Hershey’s website, and although they show a picture on their website, you can’t buy them directly. (As a side note, we’re looking for them because August wants to make Choco Mint Blossoms out of our 100 cookies magazine we bought several weeks ago. Far be it for me to say “No” when he makes such an eloquent request.) So I sent an email to Hershey explaining our problem and asking them for advice on where I can buy them. Then today, after not getting back a response, I thought I would call them. I was thankful to find out how easy it was to get a live person to speak with. However, they couldn’t help me. They could only suggest that we look at Target or Wal*Mart (neither of which are in SF, and since we don’t own a car these options are out for us). But hey, at least I got to speak with someone.
Then today we were looking for Beef Gravy (I guess I’m a glutton for punishment or something with all these specialized needs) and I had to call at least five grocery stores to inquire about whether they carried what I was looking for. I’ve found that I can save myself time and headache if I know in advance whether a store carries something. No need to drag August out unless I know a store has what we need. Well, after calling two different Safeways and requesting someone who spoke English we found the gravy. Again, it was really nice to get a live person instead of some recording that leaves me nowhere and doesn’t help answer my question.
I think the best experience I’ve had with Customer Service is with Diapers.com. I have NEVER had to push one additional button with them. You dial the number, and a person picks up the phone. On top of that they speak English, clearly I might add. Amazing. AT&T could stand to learn a thing or two from them. I’ve yet to get a live person when I call them.
Tags: AT&T, diapers.com, Hershey, Hershey Kisses, Safeway
