Places that have lost your business

[Prototype]

I just see people post on there here that they've gotten bad service, which in today's market would be hard not to expect. In most instances, you could find more than 4 people working in a department in a specific store, and many stores for most chains that have popped up here.

I think there's a utopian idea of what is expected when one walks into a store, and we live by the 'customer is always right' kredo. But there's been a shift in the world from bend over backwards (which I try to do in my two jobs), and not giving two ****s.

In my experiences, going up the ladder can work, but isn't perfect. Then again, the way things happen in one store could be different in a different store. And customer attitude can change customer service attitude as well.

I'm not trying to call everyone in here an ass for having an opinion about a place or two... but I'm surprised to see how many places people wont go to based on one bad experience. I hardly ever leave a place, or hang up on a place without getting what I want. If I have to, I'll try again when my head is clear, and I'm probably 99% effective in doing so.

Just thought I'd share the old idea of 'if at first you don't succeed, try... try again'.

[the_only_turek_fan]

Schanks North. Anyone that has been there will know what I am talking about.

[kermitology]

Originally Posted by mykalberta

Why?

Are you a closet Oilers fan?

What exactly has he ever done?

I hate the Brick cause its the Brick, just wondering.

MYK

There are just some people that rub you the wrong way and everything inside me loathes the entire being that is Mike Comrie. He's never done anything to me, I just hate him.

I forgot to mention that I will never ever ever ever ever ever ever ever deal with Telus in any part of their corporation ever again so long as I have control over that option. If I'm personally forced to choose them for something I'd probably move to somewhere they aren't. Internet, mobile, home phone.. you name it I had problems with them. They never payed me $15 that they owed me after I cancelled my phone deal. I'll never forgive them for buying Clearnet (THE BEST CELLULAR COMPANY) just for the ad campaign. *******s.

Oh yeah and refuse to buy either Calgary newspaper for Dowbiggen and Francis respectively

[Ford Prefect]

Originally Posted by Frank the Tank

I knew I liked you!

Why thank you.

My reason for boycotting Molson's goes back to a contest they ran in conjunction with the old Sports At 11 show about the all time NHL dream team. Sports At 11 would play a clue each night regarding one of the players for each of 15 spots on the team. Molson's hoever picked the final five or six spots, which meant participants had to fill in the blanks for who they thought the missing dream team players were. Being a pretty good hockey trivia buff, I was playing along. I figured I knew all of the players that Sports At 11 gave clues for, so I sent in my entry with my choices of who the missing dream teamers were. When Molson's announced the winning lineup, the players they filled in were totally random. One of them was Marty McSorley for Pete's sake, yet players like Red Kelly were left out. Of course there was no winner. So I wrote Molson's a letter telling them it was a sleazy contest, designed not to be won, and probably borderline illegal. I requested they donate the prize, which was pretty substantial as I recall, to a charity of their choice, or I would engage in a life-long boycott of Molson's and tell this story every chance I got. So here I sit telling it ...plus, their beer sucks.

[Eastern Girl]

I once found a bandaid in my food at a restaurant in Toronto called Belamys, which I believe has since closed down. I told them about it and they asked if I wanted something different to eat, I said no, I had pretty much lost my appetite. The kicker was that later, they brought out my bill and charged me for the dinner that I barely had touched. Eventually they relented, I was still really shocked that they were going to charge me for it.

Also, Pizza Pizza will never hear from me again after the guy got really angry at me for telling him my pizza was free because he took longer than 40 mins. to deliver it. He put his foot in my door, wouldn't let me close it, basically extremely rude to me.

Taco Bell and KFC, both because the last few times I went in there, which was years ago, the quality of the food was so low. It was just bad. It's not like I was expecting a fine cuisine, but man, ugh.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

I think it depends on what kind of service you are receiving. Most of the time, even if the CSR isn't in a smiling mood, I would get what I want without issue. I ask for a product, they take my money and give me my change, and we part ways. I don't ask to be treated like royalty. I just ask to be treated with respect.

Today, I received possibly the worst service imaginable. I was rudely reprimanded for not complying to an imaginary rule that no customer would have even known existed. To me, this qualifies as bad customer service.

It's not like I have never worked in the service sector. I have had many jobs ranging from working at McMahon stadium, to staples, to Coop. Even in my worst days, I would refrain from being an ass to a customer (and sometimes, with some customers it is warranted).

As customers, we should expect a certain level of professionalism. Going through the proper channels is all well and good, but there is no guarantee that things will change next time you shop there.

[Nufy]

The Brick McLeod Trail South and Sears Appliance Sales SouthCentre Mall.

Got screwed over by both in the last year.

Will not be going back ever......

[DuffMan]

I used to boycott McCains products, back in the days all of the commercials really sucked. Think Robby Alomar era, "get the McCain taste". Now, I guess they don't rub me the wrong way, or I don't see them enough, because I'll buy their products.

[SoCalFlamesFan]

MyMacDealer.

I often use both Westworld or MyMacDealer in Calgary for my purchases of Mac hardware and software. I've always thought that Westworld was far better, but MyMacDealer is a block from my office so I often drop in there. MyMacDealer also has better stock. I've now found out why.

I was in there recently to purchase some minor supplies. It was the day of Steve Jobs big iphone speach at MacWorld. All the employees were huddled over their computers studying every bloggers word as Jobs spoke... I approached the counter for service and was dismissed. Eventually I got loud and got served.

I dismissed it and dropped in their again the other day to ask about the new Airport Extreme. I'm really interested in picking one up and decided to buy from a local dealer instead of ordering from Apple directly. I walked into the store (which was empty - whereas Westworld is always bustling). Again, I was ignored - even when I stood at the counter. Behind it, three gentleman were huddled over thier computer. I actually had to say 'hi' to get any attention. The youngest member looked up - and said 'can i help you?'.

I asked a very simple question. 'When do you think you will have the new airport in stock?'. The kid laughed. The oldest gent, without looking up from his screen, said in a very sarcastic voice - 'Come back on March ninth at exactly 4:07.' -

The kid then replied 'we don't know.' he then returned to his computer. I turned to the older guy and asked if he was talking to me, and all he did was ignore me and lean into his computer.

I dunno. If this is the response of first time Mac buyers - and add to that the arrogance and cult like behaviour of mac owners - no wonder so many people are turned off.

Personally, I don't have time to follow the myriad of mac rumour websites for the latest info. And the least I expect is service and politness. I certainly don't expect to be laughed at or talked down to.

Now I know why all my 'mac' friends hate MyMacDealer and why they always have hardware in stock, whereas there are often waiting lists at Westworld when new stock is first coming onto the market.

The good news is that my MacBookPro is the best computer I've ever owned.

[UofCFan]

I agree with Schanks North. Although I haven't quite given up on them, they don't get near as much of my money as they did for a while. Basically, if you don't automatically order a jug of beer and the most expensive thing on their menu as soon as you sit down, they forget you even exist.

Although in that respect, they're (sadly) like a lot of places. If the bar/restaurant isn't going to make a killing off of your table, they could care less what kind of service you get. But, like I said, I haven't completely walked away because I've spent enough time there to know who will give you service regardless of how much you're planning on spending.

[4X4]

UHaul sucks. Enterprise is more or less teh same price and the trucks are new (as already mentioned by another poster). Just seconding it. Ooh, they are also giving a free pass to panorama right now.

[habernac]

turek fan, your sig is killing this thread again, please edit.

[I-Hate-Hulse]

Sukiyaki in Eaton's Center Food court has earned my ire for the shrew that works there. I've cut back there.

I've always had nothing but bad luck from Gigabyte mobo's and D-Link Networking equipment. They're out.

I avoid Telus like cholera, ever since they shafted me during a Clearnet / Telus hardware upgrade. I'm totally Telus free right now.

[ZDogg]

My most hated list. In order of how much I hate them!

Spence Diamonds - see my rant in that thread.

Bell - Worst Customer service ever. However, I am stuck with them until Shaw gets NHL Centre Ice back. At least they give credits when you complain enough.

Dennys in Lethbridge - Worst service for a place that had 3 tables being served. And I gave them a second chance, it was even worse that the fist experience.

UHaul - I booked for a specific day. Unfortunately they didnt tell me that day starts at 5pm??? Brutal.

[Incinerator]

My Boycott List & Duration:

Earls: snotty and slow service - 5 years

Joey's Tomato: Same as above, gave it another chance since a friend insisted on their steaks a couple weeks ago, waited an hour and a half for a table. Still not impressed.

Peter's Drive-in: Did not go near it ever since the e.coli scare

Bubblemania: Cheap bums wouldn't take debit & credit cards but did not have the big notice like most Chinese restaurants on the tables and door, had to run across the street at 2am to First Calgary ATM for cash in -30 weather. - 3 years

Moxie's on Red Mile - Flies mooching off my steak 3 times in a row in 3 different visits. I'm a regular at other Moxies but I've boycotted this location.

McDonald's - Just stopped eating there about 6 years ago, no real reason.

Anything owned by Taste of Asia: Sun's BBQ, Calgary Court, Forbidden City, Pebble Street, Misai - dirtiest & most disgusting Chinese operation in Calgary bar none. I try to stay far far away unless forced there by relatives/friends/clients. Their market share in Calgary's cantonese cuisine is too large to avoid sometimes.

Schanks South - racist bartender ignored me for 15 minutes when serving everyone that walked up after me NEXT to me. Walked out and never went back in 5 years

Melrose - I'm still a regular but I'm starting to contemplate a boycott and go back to Schanks' North, at least I was always treated well up at Schanks N, Melrose's waitresses have been very snotty and slow of late, the service is non-existant and full of attitude EVERYTIME for the past 5 visits until the tab is run up to well over $70, and dammit I tip 30% everytime since I'm a regular...I don't know WTF happened to that place, everyone used to be so nice.

[Stranger]

Petro Canada

Nothing against them. I just figured the government gets enough of my money through taxes when I buy gas, let alone when I fill up at the gas station that they own. (The government has since sold their shares in Petro Canada, but I still won't go there.)

[Temporary_User]

Ginger beef chinese. I know its a chain here. I went to the one on 14st. SW and I think 16th ave.
first time I ate there it was good, I liked how i spent money so they gave me free dumplings.
Next time i went I ordered, and thought it should only take ~15 minutes so I would wait in there. ended up waiting like 45 minutes, while I saw many deliveries go out. Then to top it all off when I got home and was eating I found a hair in my food.

All Tim hortons, I dont know what it is about them, I just dont like their sandwhiches, and will never eat one again. I might still stop in for a donut or coffee, but havent since Ive had to two experiences with their sandwhiches. Im really not a donut or coffee guy.

A plus tailor shop its on 17th ave sw and 12st.
I took a shirt in to get tailored. normally I only get jeans done and I just take those to my dry cleaner b/c its more convienient for me to do so.
So i goto this tailor and try to get some help on how to get the tailoring done. Normally a tailor will look at the clothing and on you, and help you determine how to go about the alterations.
This guy (its his own business) askes me how I want it and I try explaining to him how I would, but let him know I really dont know much about it, so ask for help on how to go about getting it like that.
The whole time he was just rushing me and even went as far as saying he was 2 weeks behind and he needs to hurry up.
I ended up grabbing my shirt and walking out. He throw his pencil in the air in disgust as I told him I wont be using his services.
Now keep in mind this whole incident took less than 5 minutes. so I wasnt wasting his time
If I spend $150 on a shirt and am going to spend ~$25 to get it tailored I expect some quality service
NEVER AGAIN GO THERE
A plus tailor on 17th ave SW

[Incinerator]

Originally Posted by fotze

Are you short? I always get treatment in bars and I have attributed it to being short. I think short equals not much money for some reason.

Also, what is with anyone in a retail type job giving snobby attitude. This bag in a kitchen design store last week gave snooty attitude because we don't dress like we have money, preferring to help the just arrived power couple in leather jackets. Listen, melanoma face, there is an extremely high likelihood that EVERY person that walks into your store makes more money than you, so I think you can cut the attitude, unless you are a doctor moonlighting as a faucet salesperson with too much perfume.

I'm 6'0, don't think I'm really that short

I purposely dress down when I make big purchases just to see if I'm getting the service I'm expecting, also I like dressing like a bum even when I'm working with clients, it's actually worked to my advantage because I'm straying from the stereotype of my profession (and actually proving that through my service, of course).

I know it sounds cliche but clothes don't make a man.

[TheyCallMeBruce]

Originally Posted by Temporary_User

All Tim hortons, I dont know what it is about them, I just dont like their sandwhiches. I would still stop in for a donut or coffee, but I rarely eat/drink either one.

I'm a bit confused by this comment. So you would buy the donut or coffee but not eat or drink it?

[steveo]

boston pizza.

I went there with a few friends to watch the game. We waited a few minutes in the lounge to see if they had seating, finally a table opened up and we sat down. we sat there for about 20 minutes w/ no one even giving us menus, asking us if we needed any help. people who came in after us were being served before us. So I got pretty ****ed and we up and left. That was about a few years ago, I have never returned to a boston pizza since then.