NationStates Jolt Archive

So, yesterday was my husband's and my 5th wedding anniversary. We got a babysitter, and hit the video store (for which we had a $10 gift card) the plan was to go get a movie and some popcorn and soda, and head home and watch a movie. We were supposed to be back to pick up the kiddos in 3 hours.

20 minutes later we were ready to "check out" and got to the counter, an hour and a half later we were on our way home (did I mention that we were the only customers in the store?)

First they made us fill out for a rental card (fair enough)
Then their customer computer broke, so the switched computers, then it broke, so they went back to the first computer, then it broke, so they called the general manager who told them to 'hit it hard and it will work again' that worked.

Then the printer printed our rental card crooked 7 times, then the fixed it, then they over charged us for the movie, then they couldn't get our gift card to work. Then they couldn't get our rental card to laminate.

Finally we got everything working, and headed home, I put on my P.J.s and started to get the movie out of the bag, and then my husband noticed that the lock on the dvd case was still there and he had to take the movie back to get it 'unlocked' before we could watch it. :headbang:

It has now been 2 hours, and we still haven't gotten to watch the movie. Luckily I was able to convince my babysitter to watch the kids overnight (which meant that I had to get up early and head over there to get my kid ready for school)

Anyway, long story short, after I turn in my rented movie I am not going back to this place.

I vented to my best friend, who says "you aren't going to have any places to go if you don't quit "boycotting" places like this"

I don't go to the Mc Donalds by my house anymore because I came in one day at 10:58a and they wouldn't sell me a Big Mac until 11:00, they made me go to the end of the line because I was "too early" and I didn't get to eat until after noon.

I don't go to the local Burger King anymore because I went in one day 2 weeks ago, and the guy wouldn't make me a croissanwich because like he said 'I am only making sausage biscuits today'


So, how far is too far? How bad would it have to be for you to 'never go somewhere again'?

So, yesterday was my husband's and my 5th wedding anniversary. We got a babysitter, and hit the video store (for which we had a $10 gift card) the plan was to go get a movie and some popcorn and soda, and head home and watch a movie. We were supposed to be back to pick up the kiddos in 3 hours.

20 minutes later we were ready to "check out" and got to the counter, an hour and a half later we were on our way home (did I mention that we were the only customers in the store?)

First they made us fill out for a rental card (fair enough)
Then their customer computer broke, so the switched computers, then it broke, so they went back to the first computer, then it broke, so they called the general manager who told them to 'hit it hard and it will work again' that worked.

Then the printer printed our rental card crooked 7 times, then the fixed it, then they over charged us for the movie, then they couldn't get our gift card to work. Then they couldn't get our rental card to laminate.

Finally we got everything working, and headed home, I put on my P.J.s and started to get the movie out of the bag, and then my husband noticed that the lock on the dvd case was still there and he had to take the movie back to get it 'unlocked' before we could watch it. :headbang:

It has now been 2 hours, and we still haven't gotten to watch the movie. Luckily I was able to convince my babysitter to watch the kids overnight (which meant that I had to get up early and head over there to get my kid ready for school)

Anyway, long story short, after I turn in my rented movie I am not going back to this place.

I vented to my best friend, who says "you aren't going to have any places to go if you don't quit "boycotting" places like this"

I don't go to the Mc Donalds by my house anymore because I came in one day at 10:58a and they wouldn't sell me a Big Mac until 11:00, they made me go to the end of the line because I was "too early" and I didn't get to eat until after noon.

I don't go to the local Burger King anymore because I went in one day 2 weeks ago, and the guy wouldn't make me a croissanwich because like he said 'I am only making sausage biscuits today'


So, how far is too far? How bad would it have to be for you to 'never go somewhere again'?

Perhaps it is not in your nature... perhaps you are 'too nice'... but my advice, ESPECIALLY in dealing with these big franchises, is to complain.

Phone calls work quite well, but letters work even better.

Often, just moving 'one step' up the chain can be good, though... like asking the manager at your local McDonalds who the 'regional manager' is, and contacting them.

It often improves the customer attention at the local venue for ALL customers (not just for you), so it really IS a good thing to do.

Plus... somewhere like McDonalds (who EXIST only on the good graces of custom, and NEED the good publicity), they'll probably give you vouchers and stuff.

Honestly, I'd say suck it up for the fast food places. They're not making the best of money, nor the best of food. They go by their own rules and it is your own fault if you choose to wait instead of going to another place. As for the video place, I'd complain to the manager.

It's fairly rare I actually boycott a business. I boycott Exxon because of their royal fuckup with the oil spill and their improper handeling of it. Can't really think of anything else I boycott.

Perhaps it is not in your nature... perhaps you are 'too nice'... but my advice, ESPECIALLY in dealing with these big franchises, is to complain.

Phone calls work quite well, but letters work even better.

I could complain, but I see it as a waste of my time, it's much easier to just not go there anymore.

I save my phone calls and letter writting for when I have to complain about something worth my time (like my kid's idiot doctors, or the stupid nurses on the GI floor at the children's hospital.)

Honestly, I'd say suck it up for the fast food places. They're not making the best of money, nor the best of food. They go by their own rules and it is your own fault if you choose to wait instead of going to another place. As for the video place, I'd complain to the manager.
yeah, I think part of my problem is that I used to manage a fast food restraunt, so when I see people doing what I consider a half ass job, it just really bothers me. I know there isn't really any point in yelling at the manager, because even if they do yell at the crew (which most won't) the crew really doesn't care, I mean why care when you make min. wage anyway. :rolleyes:

Letters work well.

Just send em a nice looking letter. It'll make them shart their pants

im the same way, if i get unreasonably bad service i wont go back. im not talking about slow or too busy but shit like not getting a big mac because its 10:58.

the movie rental store really should give you a couple free rentals. shit happens and if you have to waste your time, they should compensate you for it. i would give them another chance if they did that for me.

I boycott lots of stuff. Basically, If I'm not satisifed after visiting a place twice, I never go back.

wow... that is irratating though... I perfer the whinning and complaining.

"I want a refund."

I don't go to the Mc Donalds by my house anymore because I came in one day at 10:58a and they wouldn't sell me a Big Mac until 11:00, they made me go to the end of the line because I was "too early" and I didn't get to eat until after noon.


I can't be the only person who though of it.

http://www.patrick-pecher.de/dvd/images/falling_down.jpg

I'm boycotting Air France. Spread the word!

They refused me boarding on a transatlantic flight because they claimed I was late. Gates closed at midday, I was there at 11:55. When I asked where my baggage was, they wouldn't tell me, then, out of the blue ten minutes later, I was told, without anyone making a phone call that my luggage was in arrivals, but nobody took anything off the plane, so that was strange (like my bags were never put on the plane in the first place). And then I was told that I could transfer my tickets and I could fly out the following day without having to repay, but when I got to the desk, they wouldn't refund and transfer. When I asked them about my luggage being checked to the wrong destination (probably why it never got put onto the plane in the first place), all I got as a "Oh, that shouldn't have been". When I wrote a letter of complaint to management, I was told that it was not Air France's policy to provide a refund for missed flights, but I was welcome to fly with them at some point in the future - Ah isn't that nice!

So I hate Air France. I feel my hatred is justified. I also feel that it is my obligation to inform as many people as possible about this injustice. In total, their screw up cost me 1200 eur is travel costs, ticket purchase and phone calls to the US via Irish mobile phone and of course, not forgetting missed work days for people on both sides of the atlantic.

Tell everyone! Tell your friends! Air France will screw you over, will treat you like shit and then ask you to kindly to blow your money on yet another ticket that they'll refuse you boarding with.

I don't know why you all think letters work. Well, they do in that you get a pat apology and maybe another gift card or coupon. But overall, it just gets filed away. If the offending employee does see it it's more of a 'huh' thing than anything else.

This is chains for you. Boycott them, they don't care. Send letters, they don't care. Name recognition drives them and people flop in like moths to the porch light. The people working there have no interest in the store doing well, you're an inconvinience to their day. Take your money to a local store where you money stays in the community and the people in there have an interest in the business.

Granted, that video store could be a local place that just wasn't all that well staffed or organized, but the bulk of what I said still stands.

I'm boycotting Air France. Spread the word!

They refused me boarding on a transatlantic flight because they claimed I was late. Gates closed at midday, I was there at 11:55. When I asked where my baggage was, they wouldn't tell me, then, out of the blue ten minutes later, I was told, without anyone making a phone call that my luggage was in arrivals, but nobody took anything off the plane, so that was strange (like my bags were never put on the plane in the first place). And then I was told that I could transfer my tickets and I could fly out the following day without having to repay, but when I got to the desk, they wouldn't refund and transfer. When I asked them about my luggage being checked to the wrong destination (probably why it never got put onto the plane in the first place), all I got as a "Oh, that shouldn't have been". When I wrote a letter of complaint to management, I was told that it was not Air France's policy to provide a refund for missed flights, but I was welcome to fly with them at some point in the future - Ah isn't that nice!

So I hate Air France. I feel my hatred is justified. I also feel that it is my obligation to inform as many people as possible about this injustice. In total, their screw up cost me 1200 eur is travel costs, ticket purchase and phone calls to the US via Irish mobile phone and of course, not forgetting missed work days for people on both sides of the atlantic.

Tell everyone! Tell your friends! Air France will screw you over, will treat you like shit and then ask you to kindly to blow your money on yet another ticket that they'll refuse you boarding with.
ohmygod my blood pressure went up just reading that. i woudl never ever ever fly them in the future

Wow.....

Personally I complain loudly and clearly about the most trivial matters. After you get three refunds for stale fries, the management makes a special effort. I really can't be arsed boycotting anything. I thought about boycotting that place when I found pubic hair in my salad, but can't remember what it's called.

Moral of the rant? It's your own fault for ever ordering a Crossanwich

Video places? Rental cards? Oh, it's like the stone age.

What you need to do is find a place that has realised that those cards really are unnecessary. Second, you need to decide to abandon video stores and their 80s business idea completely and discover Netflix (http://www.netflix.com/) and similar services.

Video places? Rental cards? Oh, it's like the stone age.

What you need to do is find a place that has realised that those cards really are unnecessary. Second, you need to decide to abandon video stores and their 80s business idea completely and discover Netflix (http://www.netflix.com/) and similar services.

Try MovieLink. No waiting for scratched DVDs in the mail. Download and watch.

First off-Happy Anniversary!

Secondly- visit the offending companies web sites and email a complaint. You'll get coupons for free stuff.
Dont take it personally-these minimum wage employees you dealt with are looking for a chance to deny service, in accordance with their guidelines.
It empowers them and keeps them warm on their long walks home afterwards in a polyester uniform.

You can never boycott to many fast-foods.

I went to the McDonald's drivethrough nearest me house once because I needed to grab a quick breakfast.

Waited five minutes. No one answered.

Drove around front, went inside. Their answer? "The sensor on the pad is broken, we don't know if anyone is out there."

Me: Do you think perhaps you should put up a SIGN or something saying the Drive-Through is CLOSED?!

Idiots. And no, McDonald's corporation did not respond to my letter of complaint. I just go to a different store. There are only about six in easy reach from my house.

So, how far is too far? How bad would it have to be for you to 'never go somewhere again'?
bad food quality - uncooked, bad tasting, old, or poor ingredients.

other than that i don't really care cos i've come to expect shitty service from most stores


i no longer go to fast food "restaurants" on the basis of that food rule (bar subway!), and there are many take-aways round here i don't bother with either.

that said, for most non-food shops (like HMV or whatever) i tend to find good service and rarely encounter any problems (like yours) at all. maybe i'm just lucky :D
oddly enough i think its often the case that people/clerks seem to like or enjoy serving a hippie like myself - i make a small difference to the boredom of their job just by being a bit different myself, and it seems they treat me like an actual person and not just "another customer" as a result :)

So, how far is too far? How bad would it have to be for you to 'never go somewhere again'?
Well, without a car, I don't go much of anywhere I can't walk. I don't stand in long lines because my leg will start to ache. I'm very cheerful with clerks and cashiers, but if they take too long, I put what I was going to buy back on the shelf and leave. I don't get upset, I don't fuss at anyone ... I just leave. :D

I suspect that if more people took this sort of approach, businesses would shape up very, very quickly. The real question is: what's the tolerance level for poor service, lousy products and the frustration which results? :)

I don't think I've ever consciously boycotted anything, but given where I live, we only have one of everything, so it's really not practical.

I don't think I've ever consciously boycotted anything, but given where I live, we only have one of everything, so it's really not practical.
ONE of everything? :eek:

Doesn't that mean the prices are higher? How far away is the next town?

Smash the windows, loot and burn the shops.

(you might need some friends to help you)

ONE of everything? :eek:

Doesn't that mean the prices are higher? How far away is the next town?

Actually, we have none of most things, although we have two supermarkets. To get to shops selling stuff like books, CDs, clothes etc. takes about 45 minutes on a bus. A damnably expensive bus.

So, how far is too far? How bad would it have to be for you to 'never go somewhere again'?

I don't go any further than my mailbox. I use Netflix - it's far cheaper than any rental place, they have a wider selection, and there's no hassle about getting a movie or returning it.

imo there is very little that's "too far"

Sure, the employees are human, earning a crapwage - and probably wouldnt give much of a damn even were their wage higher.. but..

You're doing your nation, community and the company itself a service by helping along the principals of competition. If you put up with a bad product, bad service, high pricing - you're screwing everybody over notjust yourself imo.

What to do about it? copy the letter and send it to your local paper, watchdog, standards agency, tv whistleblower, w/e.

The one thing the consumer values most, ofc is time. If complaining is a hassle, if boycotting means an extra 30mins walk, if pricechecking stores is required - majority of ppl will continue to shop by convenience/habit.

It's this that means the avg individual is always the one footing the bill for incompetency, greed, laziness... pfft

anyway, got no point /end rant

imo

I boycott lots of things. I don't usually think of it as boycotting. Service is part of the experience of eating/shopping somewhere. If I don't enjoy the experience its not like I'm intentionally trying to hurt the business I just go somewhere I enjoy. Why go to a video store that gives you 2 hours worth of hassel when you can go to one 20 minutes farther away and save over an hour and have a much more enjoyable experience in the process? Makes sense to me if you choose not to go back.

There are lots of small businesses here. I prefer them over chains. Though in some areas you don't have anything but chians.

In my experience the turnover rate in fast food places is high enough that if you come back later in the year there is a whole new set of employees, so the experience can be much different.

Video places? Rental cards? Oh, it's like the stone age.

What you need to do is find a place that has realised that those cards really are unnecessary. Second, you need to decide to abandon video stores and their 80s business idea completely and discover Netflix (http://www.netflix.com/) and similar services.
oh I do netflix, I was just spending a gift card that I got as a present.

Smash the windows, loot and burn the shops.

(you might need some friends to help you)

Thats more of a quick way to start a civil war........

But making a huge fuss in the middle of a packed store does help.

Hell, even make some random stuff up to make them look bad :p

I don't know why you all think letters work. Well, they do in that you get a pat apology and maybe another gift card or coupon. But overall, it just gets filed away. If the offending employee does see it it's more of a 'huh' thing than anything else.

This is chains for you. Boycott them, they don't care. Send letters, they don't care. Name recognition drives them and people flop in like moths to the porch light. The people working there have no interest in the store doing well, you're an inconvinience to their day. Take your money to a local store where you money stays in the community and the people in there have an interest in the business.

Granted, that video store could be a local place that just wasn't all that well staffed or organized, but the bulk of what I said still stands.
That sounds like me...

I don't know why you all think letters work. Well, they do in that you get a pat apology and maybe another gift card or coupon. But overall, it just gets filed away. If the offending employee does see it it's more of a 'huh' thing than anything else.

This is chains for you. Boycott them, they don't care. Send letters, they don't care. Name recognition drives them and people flop in like moths to the porch light. The people working there have no interest in the store doing well, you're an inconvinience to their day. Take your money to a local store where you money stays in the community and the people in there have an interest in the business.

Granted, that video store could be a local place that just wasn't all that well staffed or organized, but the bulk of what I said still stands.
well said, that man :fluffle:


I can't be the only person who though of it.

http://www.patrick-pecher.de/dvd/images/falling_down.jpg
and lol thats an awesome movie! :p