Our Help(less)desk is too stupid to figure out how to use a lighter without setting themselves or their building on fire. One of the ‘benefits’ of outsourcing…
I was shocked yesterday when I received a message from the help desk. I told them a few months ago that I needed a copy of MS Project 2010 so that I could read schedules for a program I work on with another institution. At the time, they said it was not available. Yesterday, they sent me a message telling me I could install it any time I wanted. Apparently, it is now available for all users. What a surprise that they not only took note of my need, but responded promptly when the program became available.
jtsanders…
What a surprise that they not only took note of my need, but responded promptly when the program became available.
Thats cool! Having a problem is normal, solving and notifying is fantastic. The way it should be.
One of the most memorable examples of BAD SERVICE happened to a gentleman trying to buy a Rolls Royce. This gentleman, dressed in jeans and wearing a leather jacket and carrying a shopping bag entered a major RR and Jaguar dealership and admired a Rolls sitting on the showroom floor. A very supercilious, well dressed salesman with a phoney English accent approached him, and the man asked what the car cost.
The “salesman” sort of mumbled that he could probably not afford it and they had some used Jaguars outside on the lot.
The man then asked to see the sales manager. He told the manager he was interested in buying the RR on the showrrom floor. and he HAD to know what the salesman’s commission was on such a sale. He was told $1500 was the commission. He then told the manager he would buy the car at the list price MINUS THE COMMISSION, since that “snotty SOB” would not give him the time of day.
When the manager asked him how he would be paying for the car the man put his shopping bag on his desk and said “I assume you take cash!”. They carefully counted out all the bills to amount to the list minus commission price plus the sales tax of course.
Most normal folks would have recoginzed the buyer; he a was a successful Rock & Roll/Country singer, far beneath the “dignity” of the salesman. This is a true story told by the rocker to my brother who was in the process of planning to launch a night club with said rocker.
I wouldn’t consider myself a mechanic by any stretch of the imagination. I do know a thing or two about cars. I also have some common sense. I am very specific about what kind of oil I use in my vehicle. I know that you can’t use brake fluid as a substitute for power steering fluid. I know that its not a good idea to dump windex in your windshild wiper fluid reservoir because if there’s a lot of air in the reservoir, windex foams up. One of my friends tried that. When someone tells me to check the “blinker fluid” in my car, I know that’s a trick question. And over the years, I’ve learned how to change a fuel pump in a dodge pick up truck. I can change out an alternator. And I can also change belts in a car. I always tell people, if you’re not sure how to fix your car, take it to someone who knows what they’re doing.
Cash? I thought only drug dealers paid cash!
Docnick, a few years back I was in the market for a new car. Being in position financially to splurge I decided I wanted a new BMW coupe. I would be paying cash (but not lugging it around of course). I went into the local dealership in jeans and dress shirt. The salespeople must have all thought I wasn’t worth their time. Treated me terrible and were quite snobbish. I left and bought a Camry.
I heard a story about a local businessman who owns many dealerships. It started when he went in to buy a car. He was already quite successful and wealthy. Got similar treatment as you described. Asked to see owner. Sat down and asked what he wanted for the business. Turned out he hammered out a deal, bought the place, fired the salesperson (and others) and said if these clowns can operate like this and make money, I can make another fortune running it right. And he did- and then some…
This reminds me of the story of when the hotel in Las Vegas tried to throw Howard Hughes out. He bought to hotel at above market value and lived there the rest of his (admittedly reclusive and low quality) years.
For years I wore suits to work. Whenever I went into a car dealership or an upscale store I was immediately serviced like a king. When I walked in wearing old beat up cloths, like when I’d been doing yard work, the only ones that paid attention to me were the security guards.
the same mountain bike–I had a similar experience about six years ago. I was ready to buy a new minivan because I had sold my old one to my son. The Chevrolet dealer had advertised several Uplanders that were program cars. I had on my old work clothes and drove over in my beat up 28 year old Oldsmobile Cutlass. I was ignored until finally a young salesman came up and asked if he could help me. I told him what I wanted and I took a test drive in one of the Uplanders. I picked up my wife and we decided that maybe we should buy one. The next day I drove back in her 2003 Toyota 4Runner which she keeps in immaculate condition and I was wearing a suit and tie. All kinds of sales people appeared. An older salesman beat the rest of the pack to talk to me. I mentioned the name of the salesman that I had talked with the day before and the older salesman told me that it was that saleman’s day off. I said that I would come back the next day. The older saleman walked off and 5 minutes later the saleman I had spoken with the previous day appeared. He had gone to the restroom. At any rate, I made the deal with him and bought the Uplander.
“This is a true story told by the rocker to my brother who was in the process of planning to launch a night club with said rocker.”
That must not have been in the US. Car dealers haven’t taken cash for cars in something like 20 years. The fear is that it is drug money or other ill-gotten gain. Or maybe they just report it to the police and let them handle the details about where the cash came from.
Reminds me of the time I sat in on a customer service meeting and this story was told.
Successful lady drives to a Mercedes Benz dealer and talks with salesmen up to the point that the only thing needed next was signatures and key exchange. Salesmen then says “do you need to go home and check with husband?” Lady leaves and goes across town and purchases same model MB with cash. Then drives back to first dealer and shows it to the general manager.
I would have hated to be the first salesman!
jt; this rocker had a sense of the dramatic, and, yes, it was not in the USA. The Rolls at that time would have cost about $40,000-$70,000 or so. After he bought it, he did not paint is psychedelic, like John Lennon, however.
One more example of bad service. Before I bought my Toyota in 2007, I visited the local Hyundai dealership, and encountered a salesman who was either lazy or incompetent. I wanted a price an Elantra witth auto, air, cruise and power windows. He showed me a floor model with sliding roof, etc. for $3000 more than what I had in mind. He refused to look into his computer to get the price of what I wanted.
After learning that only a black interior was available with the exterior color I wanted (from the sales brochure, not the salesman) I decided to try Toyota. The salesman there, a retired famer, got me exactly what I was looking for, even though he did not have that model in stock, but got it from another dealership. He did not want my Caprice, but gave me several leads as to who might want to buy it.
A few weeks later I had a call from the Hyundai dealer asking me how I liked their “service”. I had given the salesman my business card. I explained the lazy/incompetent treatment I had received, and shortly afterwards learned the salesman was no longer there. Hyundai is seriously interested in improving their overall image and service.
While not car related I remember taking my wife to Logans Roadhouse for dinner. The service was horrible and to make a long story short I took our two iced tea glasses and walked to the kitchen and blocked the doorway. Even then I had to stop someone and tell them to fill them up.
I found that its not wise to go car shopping with a kid in tow. Let me tell you why… I went car shopping 18 months ago and I show up at a Toyota dealership with my kid and the salesman was very nice to me but he assumed that because I have a kid that he’d show me all the SUV’s and Mini-vans! Even after I told him, I need a compact car, 4 door, good gas mileage and this is what I am willing to spend and I’d prefer brand-new. I’ve worked in sales myself and the number one thing I’ve learned is never make assumptions about your customers and ask questions about their lifestyle before you start showing them the merchandise! You could have a guy that walks into a mercedees dealership in shorts, flip-flops and a ratty looking t-shirt but you never know? That guy could be loaded in money.
Hello, everyone. I just wanted to add a little something from the “lighter side” of ranting: “I got a flat tire one day, so I pulled into this service station, and, I swear, the attendant came out and said, ‘flat tire, huh?’ I just couldn’t resist, so I said ‘Nope! I was driving around, and the other three just swelled right up! Heeere’s your sign!’” - quote from Bill Engvall. OK, I might not have quoted it exactly, but that’s about how it goes, to the best of my memory, from the song, “Here’s Your Sign”, by Mr. Engvall and country singer Travis Tritt. I’m sure some of you remember the song well; for those who don’t, or haven’t heard it, give it a listen, just for a good laugh.
It might have been the summer of 1969. I was about 18. I had a Volvo 122 Station Wagon I’d bought off my Dad. We lived north of Philadelphia & I was headed “down-a-shore” as we say around Philly. Stone Harbor, NJ,
to be exact. After hitting the Atlantic city Expressway I noticed a metallic rattle sound, R/F. I was barely even a backyard mechanic at that point. I got off at the Hammonton exit & pulled into the first gas station. Old fashioned full serve station. Gravel lot. I parked near the pumps & got out & asked these 2 surly looking guys with greased back hair if they could help me; I had a rattle down around the R/F of the car & was worried about driving at speed on the Expressway. One of the guys says, “Sure we’ll help ya. Crank it up.” Which I did. “Got it in gear?”
“Yeah”, I replied.
“See ya.”
My mind was in a straight jacket for the rest of the trip, but I discovered it was loose lug nut rolling around the hubcap.
Jtsanders, I assumed this story of the rocker was a long time ago, because you are right about paying cash for that much money, probably since the 80’s or early 90’s.
Yes, irlandes the rocker story was in the 70s when a Rolls Royce could be bought for under $100,000 and electronic bank transfers were unknown. I used to dance to the guy’s music.