Your opinion is wanted

[Chubbo]

I'd like your opinion of today's Service work, and service workers. This discussion/survey, is a touchy subject, and might open a can of worms. So be it, I'll grab a worm and start fishin'. I've been a part of our society's service system, all of my life. What I'd like to discuss is; how service workers were treated circa 1930, and how they are treated in comparison today via 2022. I'll start this discussion circa 1940, when my service work officially began, as a grocery store worker. Requirements, were; To be a legal citizen, of the USA, Ability to legibly read and write the English language, Good personal hygiene, Proper Clean, clothing/uniform and footwear, Skill in mathematics, Capability of personal locomotion, Respect, Politeness, Ambition and Gratitude. Anything else was unacceptable. At that time the back door of all homes, and places of business were considered, and called a Service Entrance. It would have been considered disrespectful, and insulting to enter the Front door, and into the Living Room of anyone's home with a coating of mud, grease or whatever on their hands, feet, or clothing. Today, it's the only entrance used for deliveries, or for service use. When did this transpire?

Yesterday, 7/14/2022 we were informed, by our pharmacy, at 9 am, that a regular order of our medications would be delivered before 6pm., and the order upon delivery, must be accepted with a personal signature. At 6:30 pm, a woman slouched up our front sidewalk, carrying our order of meds., and mumbled something impossible to understand. My wife was concerned whether a gratuity was included in the delivery fee, and if not intended to give her one, and again questioned the delivery woman, who rudely shrugged her shoulders and threw her hands above her head. At that point My wife signed the receipt, handed it to the delivery women and closed the door. Not that it matters, but a major portion of that delivery fee was that that delivery woman's tip.

Pardon the rant, but It's hard for me to observe proper, reasonable, and successful working methods, flushed down the drain.

Chubbo

 

[Bald1]

I feel as though service now days is either very good or very bad. Either people care or they really really don't care. It's sad when we are so impressed with people doing the right thing and acting the right way. It used to be the norm.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Employers are doing the best they can with what they have . . .

 

[TXBryan]

My family resides in a small town in Central Texas. Still relatively new to "small town" living I think perhaps one's experience with service providers may depend heavily on your community and its common standards.

I lived in Austin for many years as the city blew by the million population mark. Service there seemed to slowly, but certainly, decline in an overall manner though some fabulous examples of outstanding service orientation are still evident in Austin.

The town we live in has less than 2000 residents but has a full array of services available as we are, more-or-less, an island and it's a far piece to the next (larger) town. My wife would agree we have the best car repair service we've ever had, a full service grocery which hits above its weight class, a fabulous insurance agency to work with, the best bank I've ever done business with in my life, quality restaurants, a fine professional pharmacy, excellent dental care, impressive health clinics, and the list goes on. People who staff these institutions will literally do just about anything in the realm of possibility to help you.

All of these "services" in our little town are successful because they have excellent people working for them representing a full and complete understanding of how to offer outstanding customer service. Thus my perception of customer service, as a recipient, is about as high as it has ever been realizing it's not that way everywhere one goes.

 

[Old_Cop]

Nothing is the same as the 1940s. My personal observation is that the younger the service worker, the less attention paid to me, an old person.

 

[Puller]

Employers are doing the best they can with what they have . . .

Which isn't much to work with.

 

[Muss Muggins]

Which isn't much to work with.

Well, I'm not going to get into insulting the pool of people willing to work. What I will say is that there are a lot of people no longer in the workforce because we as a society have recently made it easier and more profitable to not work . . .

 

[sigp220.45]

The last two service calls to my house were for a windshield repair and an A/C unit check up.

Both were on time and dressed in company polo shirts. Their respective companies had emailed photos of them ahead of time. Both did their work thoroughly and efficiently. The A/C guy put paper booties over his shoes before he came inside even though I said he didn't need to. He did use the front door, which was fine with me.

No compaints here. I doubt things in the good-ol'-days were any better.

 

[Greyman50]

" The times, they are a changing" not for the good….

 

[Mule Packer]

You still occasionally find good service, but (and here's where I'm dating myself) across-the-board good service started going out the window when they began phasing out full-service gas stations.

 

[Beemerguy53]

I see examples regularly of truly excellent service workers...and truly bad service workers. The impression I get is that there are few, if any, strict standards anymore, and that it's only an individual's personal attitude toward his job that governs how he comports himself.

 

[NFrameFred]

Service today (per the OP's topic) is much like and reflective of the current fashion in parenting, in that you can't teach someone something you don't know, the corollary being you can't learn something from someone who doesn't know or care. We have devolved into a crass, profane, self absorbed society that foams at the mouth over real or imaginary "rights" but is basically unfamiliar with or dismissive of the concept of "responsibilities".

Civility, manners, hygiene, basic skills in communication and courtesy, the work ethic and the idea that good service is a responsibility and a reasonable expectation have all slipped several notches on the scale in my lifetime. Our "right" to dress, speak, act the way we want as an "in-duh-vidual" even at our place of employment supersedes the "old fashioned" ways.

Given, generalities can be dangerous and there are always exceptions. But the coarseness of life today is in direct opposite proportion to our prosperity. The more people have the more they seem to feel entitled to, and the more their disdainful treatment of those "beneath them" seems to come to the fore. And on the other end, many who have by choice or necessity tied themselves to service oriented jobs are openly hostile to the concept and those they are there to serve, as they seem to feel it's beneath them and they resent being there. But most like that can't seem to grasp "working your way up and out" of a job like that, feeling instead they deserve to have a better job with no real ability or skill other than "I want it". The passive aggressive poor attitude of 'just don't give a ****' is more and more prevalent. It's becoming the norm instead of the exception.

Solutions? Forget it. Should be obvious that given our fascination with "rights" and "self" today it is extremely unlikely that genie is ever going back into the bottle. The "greatest generation" gave this country untold opportunity and prosperity after defeating the WWII foes. Unfortunately, the lesson that all that can be lost more quickly than it arrived and our national survival is not a sure thing even today is something most cannot grasp these days.

When the small lessons are lost, the big reminders are always painful.
Don't care for some (or all) of what I wrote ? I was asked for my opinion, so whether it's popular or not it can't be 'wrong' 'cause it's an opinion. Yours may vary . . . good for you.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

I quit doing service for a living about 10 years ago. Now I like to help people out when I can. Normally, they have no idea what all is involved with whatever needs fixed. I take care of everything if it is small, If it requires real big money parts they pay me later. I've never been stiffed! I do refuse to help anyone who demands I do something, but I haven't had to do that in years! Most people give me a nice tip. One person, gave a very generous tip, for replumbing the basement (3 days) When I finished, I had her try the water pressure, it got hot in about 20 seconds. She started crying! They put up with rotten water pressure for about 16 years! She is now my greatest supporter!

Like I said, I do people favors. When they can they give money, but they are always grateful to see me! That is how I do service!

Ivan

 

[Bekeart]

You Want Service - Sorry Wrong Number

Recently SWMBO got a roofing quote on outbuilding.
I had never heard of the roofer.
Called a roofer that had roofed a rental house for me.
Asked for a second quote and opinion of the first roofer.
SWMBO told first roofer that I wanted a second quote.
First Roofer did NOT RETURN CALLS OR EMAILS.
But he is running TV ads. The ads make me suspicious.

Good mechanics, carpenters, and roofers do not need to advertise and are usually booked up.

Second roofer will be getting the money.

Bekeart

 

[ladder13]

Too bad they didn't let Chick Fil A handle the vaccine. . That is a well oiled machine.

 

[Bekeart]

You Want Service - Sorry Wrong Pharmacy

This morning SWMBO needed a Velcro Wrist Splint.
Doctor's office was out of the needed item.
Asked at pharmacy window - Where are they.
On the shelf out there. - Pointing in a general direction.
Asked if they came in different sizes? Wrists are different for Olive Oyl and NFL Linemen.
Yes, you have to look.
Which ones have the splint inserts?
BLANK LOOK.

Carried two boxes to Pharmacy Counter and stood there until somebody finally decided to check on us.

The boxes were opened and show. Decision made. Paid the bill.

While walking toward the Exit I commented to SWMBO about how lousy the service had been.

Was overheard by member of management who requested details.

The names were not changed to protect the innocent, there were no innocent. Just the facts, Mam, Just the Facts.

 

[Bekeart]

You Want Accuracy - Sorry Wrong News Paper

Early this week I called to pay for my newspaper subscription.
I had received the usual bill by USPS Snail Mail.
Clerk quoted me a price that was more than the listed on the bill.
Prior to this I had never had anyone try to charge me more than the amount on the bill/statement.
Several go arounds about the price did not get a resolution.
I was told that the higher (INCORRECT) charge had been submitted to my credit card.
I explained that I would dispute this chare and asked for a supervisor.
No supervisor is available, I will have one call you. (LIAR!)

This morning I walked into the paper office with copy of my bill and explained the situation.

Customer Service person was NOT happy.
Very apologetic. Price adjustment was processed to my credit card.
Suspect some clerk will be getting an ear full about how to deal with customers.

As you can see from earlier posts -
SERVICE IS ALWAYS NOT AN OPTION!

 

[Engineer1911]

If you expect absolutely nothing, you will seldom be disappointed.

I the last 3 weeks, I have had check-out problems four different times. Each time I started with, "I have a problem, can you please help me?" Instantly each time I was upgraded from "Grumpy Old Guy" to "Very Pleasant Customer". And each time my problem was solved.

 

[Rustyt1953]

I must live in an alternate universe as civility and satisfactory service are the norm around these parts. The number of good business interactions far outweigh the bad but folks would rather openly publicize their displeasure as opposed to acknowledging a job well done.

 

[johngalt]

If you want service hell, try our IT department.