By Camie Brunell
When did it become acceptable to treat customer service people like dirt?
For almost 12 years I have worked at a small business in Waterbury as an office manager and customer service representative for our family business.
While working here I have met some wonderful people. All of our regular customers are great and treat me with respect and consideration. I strive to do the same in return. I feel I do a good job with how I talk to customers, explaining repairs to them and giving them the best options for their situation.
Last week I had a first-time customer come in. I have never had a customer treat me like she did. The disrespect was unexplainable and I am still in shock. It has bothered me for several days now, to the point that I am second guessing myself, as if I may have done something wrong and may even need to apologize, yet the more I think about it I honestly don't believe that is the case.
This customer's actions and disrespect showed me that she most likely treats everyone that way.
I don't understand when it became acceptable to treat customer service people like dirt? If it was not for all the customer service providers in town, where would we all be?
Even though that customer service person may be the one giving you some kind of bad news at the garage, the person that is taking your dinner order or the employee at the doctor's office, the clerk at the gas station, they did not create or cause your problems.
I understand getting frustrated when things are going wrong or life gets in the way, every customer service provider has the same day-to-day problems as everyone else, but that person on the other side of the desk or counter does not deserve the wrath of your problems. We are all human and we all carry our own baggage with us.
I did not write this letter to complain, I have strong shoulders. I wrote this letter to remind people that we are all working to make a living, to be a community to be proud of. We are all human and should be treated with respect.
The one good thing that came out of this experience, I was reminded of all our loyal and wonderful customers, thank you! You are the ones who make my day, you are wonderful and pleasant and why I love my job!
Camie Brunell works at Ted's Kar Kare.
