Is anyone else finding it difficult to find people who care about customer service any more? I had a rough week last week with suppliers, decided that it was just the week, then came back this week to start fresh and I'm finding the same things. Problem I'm running into is one source suppliers who you can't make mad.
A couple of quick examples. There's a place in town that deals in an industrial line of product. It's all custom stuff, so it's not like you can order it off the internet. I went in last week, placed a $250 order, was told that it would be ready that afternoon. Didn't hear from them that afternoon. Called after lunch the next day, and was told "No, it's not ready" and basically got hung up on. Well, it's 5 days later now, and no product. They are the only game in town, so make them mad and you'll get nothing from them. So I just sit and wait for the phone to ring.
Had a case yesterday, needed a part for a directory system. Just a simple piece of channel than someone had broken in a directory system. Called the manufacturer of the system, was told to buy a new directory at $3000. I told them I just needed the channel and was told to remove the entire directory (which is installed in a commercial office building) and send it to them for repair. I kept pushing that I just needed the channel. I was then told that I was trying to use their patented designs to repair someone elses directory and that people try that all the time. WHAT? First of all, I've bought a lot of product from this company. Second, the directory WAS made by them. So I'm not trying to do anything other than use the original manufacturer to resupply the part. Finally, he tells me that I'd have to go over to the location take a photo and some measurements and send it to them and then they would "decide" whether or not I would be allowed to have a piece of this channel made. I was told that it would also cost several hundred dollars. WHAT? We're talking about a $10 piece of material, $20 worst case. I don't get it.
Is there really so much work out there that people don't care any more? I'm a super easy going guy. I never rant or be rude to suppliers, so it's not like I've said something that offended any of them. Heck, I don't even know any of them.
Of course you have those who nail it every time and do care, but more and more, I'm seeing people with unique products that just don't care about you. Anyone else run into this, or is this black cloud of poor customer service just following me around this month?