Dealing with Customer Service – A Tip

Recently I had contacted a specific company I buy from/work with about my referral link not working. While we were in the middle of a chat, I got called away & when I got back, my phone screen had turned off & the agent had left.

The next day I got an email from the company asking me to rate their customer service. I was honest & explained that I was frustrated that the agent left without resolving my situation (I really was gone only about a minute!)

I wasn’t rude, but I was honest.

The company got back to me, apologized & even gave me a $15 credit for my inconvenience in having to spend more time trying to resolve the situation (which they did resolve). I wasn’t expecting that, but was grateful that they value our business.

My point is this… it’s worth being honest & asking for help. I have once or twice in the past 20 years had a credit card payment be late due to whatever circumstances (one time we never even got the bill!) I have called & asked politely, explaining the situation & every time, they have graciously credited the late fees. (It does help to have an account in good standing. We do use credit cards, but pay the balance off every month.)

I’m not saying this to take advantage, but, it’s worth asking. Usually companies are able to make exceptions & help out.

I’m grateful for understanding & kind assistance. Another day I had to call a certain VERY POPULAR online purchasing company….not to name any names…ahem. We had cancelled their services in May & just got a bill today showing they’ve been charging us again the past few months (with no previous bills). That was not fun, but after much insistence, & talking with a supervisor, they gave us a credit for most of it. I was frustrated that we never even got a bill all those months!

Initially the customer service rep just said, “No, we can’t do anything.” It’s worth asking to talk to a supervisor in those cases. There’s almost ALWAYS something they can do.