Comments on: “Don’t take it out on our staff”

By: Diazy

Diazy — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 21:53:39 +0000

I agree with this article. I was in business college and the main thing that we where taught was customer service. While I was in England I really could see the difference. South Africa used to be very good at this but in recent years people just stopped caring and the saying ‘the customer is always right’ doesn’t apply for here. I hate being ignored or being talked over but remain silent. That is probably the problem as Adin pointed out.

By: Marcel

Marcel — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 17:38:59 +0000

@Adin: Precisely, I totally agree with you!

By: Adin van Ryneveld

Adin van Ryneveld — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 17:36:59 +0000

That is a crazy sign to have up in an airport! I agree with you that it does not say much for SAA and its relationship to customer service. It got me thinking of something else aswell…we South Africans are often not the most respsonsible consumers either. What I mean is, we are either way too passive and don’t speak up when service is poor – or we go to the other extreme and abuse people when we don’t get everything just the way we want. The high frequency of the latter probably has a lot to do with the creation of such an absurd sign.

Why not graciously inform the sales person, or the guy at the call centre, or the waitress of your disatisfaction…request the service you desire and if that doesn’t get the results you are after take it to a higher power.

I bet that as comsumers we may be pleasantly surprised by how we will be received if we communicate responsibly.

By: Marcel

Marcel — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 20:22:06 +0000

@SAA: I really thought this was unique & now I’m really surprised – that’s for letting me know.

I keep thinking that this sign shows that they’re aware of the problem & not taking the opportunity to do something different.

By: SAA

SAA — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 18:45:51 +0000

Those type of “don’t take your stress out on our staff” signs are quite common overseas. But yes, SAA staff do sometimes have to deal with irate customers – they are unfortuanately not always a shining example of good customer service.