What has happened to customer service today?
Recently, I have have noticed that customer service has become a thing of the past. I didn’t notice it so much before the pandemic, but as I am out more doing deliveries for two different companies I have noticed the change. Now when you walk into a store, you aren’t greeted. It’s like they all scurry like mice so that they don’t have to interact with you.
Case in point, the other day I was running a delivery and had to go to a restaurant chain. When I stepped inside, I was completely ignored for about ten minutes. I stood at the counter and waited for someone to acknowledge me but it was like I was invisible. The girl who was at the fry station didn’t even bother to turn around and say a word. Finally, the person who I think was a manager, finally came up to the counter to see what I needed. I proceeded to tell her that I was there to pick up an order and then she didn’t even fulfill it all by checking the receipt. I had to mention to her twice that the order needed their drinks and then I had to ask for a cup carrier because there were four drinks total plus the bags of food. I am not an octopus by any means and I am the one that has to carry all of these items. Finally, I got the order complete but it was making me late on delivering.
Another day, I went into a restaurant to place an order, the two employees there were not friendly by any means and the one employee looked like they wanted to smash everyone’s head. They let sandwiches get piled up and some of them were hot so now the customers would end up with cold sandwiches. Finally, the employee at the register came to help but it was too little too late. What should have taken the maximum of fifteen minutes turned into thirty.
I know that we were all hurt by the pandemic and that many had to file unemployment but now we are getting back to “normal” and everywhere I look there are hiring signs up. What is going on? Is it because some feel that getting a job in the retail/food industry is beneath them or is it the pay and they can make more by staying on unemployment and getting the extra $300? That money is going to run out soon and then where will these people be? I don’t make a lot of money at my main job so I have gone out and gotten two more side jobs to help meet my bills. Why can’t others?
Where has the customer service experience gone? Is it not being instilled in our youth? Have we gone so far to the me, me side. Have we forgotten what it’s like to be polite to people and at least acknowledge their presence? It goes both ways. Sometimes customers can be rude to employees so show some respect to each other and let’s find a way to get the restaurants back up and running with enough people to help everyone.
