Customer service

Back in the UK, American companies were often highlighted as a leader in customer service. So what is the truth? Well, since arriving in the USA in July, we have had mixed experiences.

Mostly folks in stores are good, welcoming and helpful. Financial service companies are variable. Our attempts to get a mortgage were a real struggle, with most companies we dealt with being useless. Some lied, some did nothing, and I couldn't help feeling that they operated without a brain - no personal experience of how to deal with someone with only non-US credit history, so they had to bluster instead of working out how to secure our business. Our bank, though, have been fantastic. They are a relatively small, local company. The staff are invariably friendly and helpful.

Finally, a comment on my favorite espresso stand. The girls there are always friendly and hard working. Some may say that it is put on, so doesn't count. The English have a word for the worth of this negative view, and it rhymes with rollocks. Some people are only happy when they complain. A happy face is always good to see, and only encourages further happiness.

So I conclude that certain US companies do indeed provide top class customer service - but small is superb, big is rollocks.