Elmer's Brother

Customer Relations?

Comment(s) »

1. I love when you call roadside assistance, for example, and they are in a call center in India with no idea where to send a tow truck...
   
   Real customer relations is a thing of the past, EB.

   Comment by Cate— 2006/09/16 @ 11:16 AM — (Reply)

2. I used to have AOL and everytime I wanted to talk to someone to cancel my service we couldn't understand each other. It was awful. Took me a month of Sundays to get it done.

   Comment by Elmers Brother— 2006/09/16 @ 01:03 PM — (Reply)

3. He'd been to see his old friend, EB:
   "All you did was weaken a nation today, jihadi. sweet dreams, LOA."
   ----"Don't call me LOA. I'm an educator and a soldier in Sheik Osama's Army (SOA); and you're under a fatwa, you SOB!

   Comment by Lover of Angels— 2006/09/16 @ 01:49 PM — (Reply)

4. isnt' everybody LOA...I'll issue one on you...apparently anyone can do it.
   
   Just for the record...is that a threat?

   Comment by Elmers Brother— 2006/09/16 @ 01:52 PM — (Reply)

5. EB,
   Congrats on your fatwa! Every strong Christian should have one.
   
   "Go ye forth and collect fatwas."

   Comment by Always On Watch— 2006/09/16 @ 03:09 PM — (Reply)

6. cpe-65-189-196-58.neo.res.rr.com
   IP Address 65.189.196.58
   Country United States
   Region Ohio
   City Canton
   

   Comment by Elmers Brother— 2006/09/16 @ 01:55 PM — (Reply)

7. Nah, more like, "Why can't we be friends?"(War-the black 70s supergroup, not the holy war).

   Comment by Lover of Angels— 2006/09/16 @ 01:55 PM — (Reply)

8. I had so much trouble getting rid of AOL. Stopped paying them for six months and still couldn't get rid of AOL. Finally got a six month refund and got rid of AOL and will never go back even now that it's free.

   Comment by Barry G.— 2006/09/16 @ 02:11 PM — (Reply)

9. I've found a way to get things done--if you can possibly reach a human. I did it today with Verizon and got my high-speed connection restored on a Saturday afternoon.
   
   I told them, "I have a blog. If you don't get my line fixed today, I'll post about Verizon on the web for all to see, and I'll expose you for the incompetents and frauds you are."
   
   Problem solved in just a few short hours.

   Comment by Always On Watch— 2006/09/16 @ 03:08 PM — (Reply)

10. My sister just says, "Can you hold a second? My publisher is on the other line..."
    
    Things get resolved instantaneously for her. In fact, companies send her free coupons all the time and partial refunds. She'll have bad service at Red Lobster and end up with a personal letter from the company headquarters and 4 coupons for free dinners. It's unreal how fearful companies are of bad press!

    Comment by Cate— 2006/09/17 @ 03:10 AM — (Reply)

11. Better service through threatened publishing! Whatever happened to "serving" the one who pay your salary? Oh, right, my bad, it's not pc!
    Good morning, G*D bless and Maranatha!
    
    tmw
    
    lemon

    Comment by the merry widow— 2006/09/17 @ 12:35 AM — (Reply)

12. Holy smokes, EB!!!
    
    We have the same TV; Philips 42", and it crapped out, too! It would have bad after images (not burn-in), such as if you turn the channel, you can see the last image from the previous channel 'underneath' what is currently on. Also, there was a lot of discoloration across the screen.
    
    That sucker put out WAY more heat than the ones in the store, too.
    
    Ours is in the repair shop right now, and has been for two weeks now.
    
    Co-incidence?

    Comment by Brooke— 2006/09/17 @ 02:37 PM — (Reply)

13. stand by to be offered a replacement

    Comment by elmers brother— 2006/09/17 @ 03:09 PM — (Reply)

14. They said that if this repair "doesn't work" they would consider it.

    Comment by Brooke— 2006/09/17 @ 03:14 PM — (Reply)

15. I want my money back they're $400 cheaper now

    Comment by elmers brother— 2006/09/17 @ 03:21 PM — (Reply)

16. Drive it back to the store with the receipt. When you get to the manager don't let him leave. Stay there and say "what are you doing to do to make this right?" "You are the manager you have the power to make this right." Don't leave, just stay there calm as a cucumber and repeat that every 3 to 5 minutes.

    Comment by Barry G.— 2006/09/17 @ 04:12 PM — (Reply)

17. Unfortunately, the repair shop already has the TV in it's evil clutches.

    Comment by Brooke— 2006/09/18 @ 07:48 AM — (Reply)

18. i've always used the "do you want me to call oprah or dr. phil?" - works everytime and i don't even watch those two!

    Comment by nanc— 2006/09/18 @ 03:27 PM — (Reply)

19. Brooke, me too. I am supposed to find out tomorrow if they are going to replace it. Friday will be a month. As I said I am tempted to ask for my money back.

    Comment by elmers brother— 2006/09/18 @ 05:36 PM — (Reply)

20. Nanc: Our local news has a segment that does nothing but fix untenable situations like that.
    
    EB: After a month of that crap, I'd want the money back, too! However, a total replacement might be OK. You certainly don't want the old one back. Good luck, brother!

    Comment by Brooke— 2006/09/19 @ 02:15 AM — (Reply)

21. well if you and I are any indication I might want a different make an model

    Comment by elmers brother— 2006/09/19 @ 02:17 AM — (Reply)

22. Does yours have the "ambilights" down the sides?

    Comment by Brooke— 2006/09/19 @ 02:20 AM — (Reply)

23. 1 month????? You must be pissed, don't they know the NFL is just underway?
    
    Damaged goods. Demand your money back and get another model.

    Comment by Joe Gringo— 2006/09/19 @ 10:01 AM — (Reply)

24. A MONTH? Give me the store's phone number and fax me your receipt. The bastards.

    Comment by Barry G.— 2006/09/19 @ 12:57 PM — (Reply)

25. got the word today they are replacing it.

    Comment by elmers brother— 2006/09/19 @ 01:04 PM — (Reply)

26. You better have it by Friday. The bastards.

    Comment by Barry G.— 2006/09/19 @ 01:09 PM — (Reply)

27. This could be a blessing in disguise, you know. You are now free of television for a while. It's a different state of mind. Try it; you might like it. After all, you can always go hang out a friend's house and watch football, or check out that kqql sports bar down the street.
    
    I still get the shows I like by using bittorrent. :)

    Comment by In Russet Shadows— 2006/09/20 @ 06:44 AM — (Reply)

28. russet, I agree. We turned our loft into a home theater. We love to watch movies and sports (steelers) together, but that\'s about it.

    Comment by elmers brother— 2006/09/20 @ 01:40 PM — (Reply)

29. Are you going to have it by Friday, Saturday at the latest?

    Comment by Barry G.— 2006/09/20 @ 04:49 PM — (Reply)

30. nope 10-15 WORKING days starting on the 19th

    Comment by elmers brother— 2006/09/20 @ 07:58 PM — (Reply)

31. Don't laugh...because this is true. We bought a 37 in. LCD television from Cosco. The unit was made by Visio. We had it for approximately six months when we started getting lines across the screen. Cosco replaced the unit without any hassles. The new TV works perfectly. Visio also makes a 42 in. plasma but I prefer the LCD. The 37 in. LCD was under $1000. I think they even make a 50 in. plasma now. The contrast ratio is also excellent.

    Comment by American Crusader— 2006/09/21 @ 06:36 AM — (Reply)

32. brooke..I saw your and about the ambient lights. I guess it's a pretty cool feature but not something I would base my decision to purchase on.

    Comment by — 2006/09/21 @ 06:38 AM — (Reply)

33. okay - let me get this straight - you don't have tele - you're not out much visiting your blog friends - wtfarfurgnuggen have you been up to?
    
    pomade

    Comment by nanc— 2006/09/22 @ 08:03 AM — (Reply)

34. Probably some lame job.
    
    The lights weren't a huge thing for me, but the hubby thought they were really cool...
    
    It has now been fourteen days since the repair shop took the TV... Apparently they failed to mention that they ALSO meant working days, because the latest report is that the TV is supposedly fixed, but they cannot bring it back until Thursday.
    
    Of course, if we go and get it, and there's anything wrong, they could simply blame it on our transit... AAAAAHHHHH!!!!

    Comment by Brooke— 2006/09/22 @ 08:28 AM — (Reply)

35. nanc - it's called work...I am on call 24/5 and one
    of our engineers resigned..so we have hired a new guy
    but it takes about a year before one feels comfortable
    I have been on the job almost a year and I still scratch my head a lot..and then there's the travel...mostly in state
    
    sorry I haven't been around...when I catch up on my sleep, the large list of honeydo's I'll be dropping by more often

    Comment by elmers brother— 2006/09/22 @ 03:50 PM — (Reply)

36. It's FINALLY BACK... Lemme just say. DO NOT BUY A PHILIPS PRODUCT. The hubby had to get into a rather loud conversation about why he would not take off of work today to help this guy carry the television 20' from the driveway to the living room, and how if he needed help he should hire someone, and NOT ask the wife (me) with small children underfoot to help him.
    
    It got back, and I have not gotten my complaint escalated to "consumer relations", who will be contacting us in a couple of days...

    Comment by Brooke— 2006/09/28 @ 01:26 PM — (Reply)

37. Holy Smokes! Hubby hooked the thing up last night, and not only did they NOT fix the problem, they screwed it up worse than before it left! Now, the manual control buttons don't work! You can't turn it off/on, volume or channel up/down without the remote!
    
    I think when "customer relations" calls, I'll be insisting on either a new set, or a total refund!
    
    

    Comment by Brooke— 2006/09/29 @ 02:32 AM — (Reply)

38. Brooke that's the same problem mine had. If you want a refund make sure you ask before they send a replacement.
    My replacement had arrived but it cannot be delivered till
    next Friday.

    Comment by elmers brother— 2006/09/29 @ 04:58 AM — (Reply)

39. you should have had them test it before they left it at your house.
    
    I have not been impressed.

    Comment by elmers brother— 2006/09/29 @ 05:20 AM — (Reply)

40. They would not put it back on the wall, telling me instead that it was "my responsibility."
    
    One guy I spoke with from Philips said the repair baboons didn't have to hang it and hook it back up, and another guy said they should have.
    
    I hope your new set works, EB!

    Comment by Brooke— 2006/09/29 @ 10:21 AM — (Reply)

41. They literally dropped it on my bed (I insisted they put it there so the kids wouldn't wreck it, and it'd be safe until the hubby got home) , and left; they wouldn't test it.

    Comment by Brooke— 2006/09/29 @ 10:24 AM — (Reply)

42. Where are you guys buying those things?

    Comment by Barry G.— 2006/09/29 @ 03:39 PM — (Reply)

43. I got mine at Best Buy, but Philips contracts the repairs out to a bunch of maroons. My maroons came from Sunland TV. They called me and said the new set was in and the earliest they could deliver it was Wednsesday. I asked if they could deliver it in the afternoon and they said no. They only deliver to my area in the mornings. So I asked if I could get bring a truck and pick it up, but they said they needed the box back. Holy cow give me a break, I'm not traveling 80 miles round trip so they can have a freakin' box back. So I told them to deliver it on Friday because Wed/Thurs mornings are not good. Like I said Welcome to Philips' customer relations.

    Comment by elmers brother— 2006/09/29 @ 07:47 PM — (Reply)

44. Brooke, so are they coming back to pick it up or what?

    Comment by elmers brother— 2006/09/29 @ 07:48 PM — (Reply)

45. I got mine at Bose, but the problem with Philips contracting to baboons is the same.
    
    I don't know if they're coming to get it yet; the fabulous "consumer relations" department hasn't called me yet.
    
    Although, after reading this and this, I believe that I may insist on a refund when they do.
    
    Perhaps, if and when I get a refund, I'll ditch the lights and go with a Sony or Toshiba.

    Comment by Brooke— 2006/09/30 @ 03:13 AM — (Reply)

46. brooke you just ruined my day

    Comment by elmers brother— 2006/09/30 @ 04:52 AM — (Reply)

47. Sorry! LOL! The ones that got replacements said those didn't work, either! YIKES!

    Comment by Brooke— 2006/09/30 @ 05:00 AM — (Reply)

48. you're on my list today

    Comment by elmers brother— 2006/09/30 @ 05:07 AM — (Reply)

49. I can see Best Buy bailing on customer service but a Bose store? Don't you pay a premium to buy stuff from a high end place like that? I would take a sleeping bag and a cooler of food and water, cell phone and money to order pizza and stay in the store until THEY put a working new TV in my house. The bastards.

    Comment by Barry G.— 2006/09/30 @ 07:22 AM — (Reply)

50. The price at the time wasn't any more than anywhere else... And the store has been exemplary... Calling Philips on our behalf once, even! I think that at this point, the refund must come from Philips, however, as it has been more than 90 days.

    Comment by Brooke— 2006/09/30 @ 02:17 PM — (Reply)

51. You are way too nice. They have tons of your money and you have an unusable tv. My theory is policy/shmolicy. Fair is fair. New working tv or money and I'm not leaving until one or the other happens.

    Comment by Barry G.— 2006/09/30 @ 02:40 PM — (Reply)

52. Update: Philips "customer relations" has STILL not called us, so the hubby and I took a jaunt to the Bose store where we purchased the TV.
    
    Turns out Bose quit selling Philips TV's because of the bad service/faulty new models. The folks at Bose took down our info, passed it on to the Regional manager, who called Philips and reamed them.
    
    We will be getting a call from Philips tomorrow (not four days...HA) to arrange the details for our replacement TV!
    
    We were also assured that if this replacement from Philips fails, Bose will replace the TV themselves with another model.
    
    I can't say how pleased I am with the folks at Bose; everyone was extremely polite, gave us zero crap, listened to all that we had to say without argument, and have gone above and beyond to satisfy the problem.
    
    Philips, on the other hand, is probably one of the worst companies I've ever dealt with!
    
    So how's your replacement doing, EB? Good, I hope!

    Comment by Brooke— 2006/10/03 @ 03:24 PM — (Reply)

53. Based on the stories you guys are telling, I am glad I am sticking with my Philco black and white with rabbit ears. I bought it in 1959 and it works like new.

    Comment by Barry G.— 2006/10/03 @ 04:00 PM — (Reply)

54. It comes on Friday, I'll let you know.

    Comment by elmers brother— 2006/10/03 @ 05:17 PM — (Reply)

55. Well?

    Comment by Barry G.— 2006/10/07 @ 03:56 AM — (Reply)

56. The TV arrived. A 42" BUT a different model. The stand was broken. I have mine mounted on the wall. Turns out I needed a different wall mount. So I call Philips.
    
    Philips: Oh well we didn't sell you the wall mount that's not our responsibility. (the mount cost $250)
    
    EB: Let me talk to your supervisor.
    
    Philips: "Our responsibibility is to provide you with a comparable TV".
    
    EB: If it was a comparable TV I would be able to use my wall mount. Let me talk to your supervisor.
    
    Philips: He's not here and he doesn't take phone calls.
    
    EB: Okay who do I talk to.
    
    Philips: Here's the address of the complaint department.
    
    So I look online and find the number in New York for the corporate office who gives me a number for the "escalation Dept"
    
    I call and speak to Tracy.
    
    Tracy: a wall mount is an accessory. We're not responsible for replacing accessories.
    
    EB: I bought the wall mount to go with YOUR TV. Now you replace my TV with one that does not go with my wall mount.
    
    Tracy: We do not replace wall mounts. CLICK!
    
    I'm pissed now. I call back.
    
    Some other "customer relations flunky"
    
    I get the same song and dance...this time I hang up on them.
    
    End of story. I get it mounted on the wall. They are sending me a new stand.

    Comment by elmers brother— 2006/10/07 @ 05:22 AM — (Reply)

57. Will you be able to watch the Eagles Cowboys game tomorrow?

    Comment by Barry G.— 2006/10/07 @ 05:05 PM — (Reply)

58. i can but I won't

    Comment by Elmers Brother— 2006/10/07 @ 08:36 PM — (Reply)

59. You should have. Fantastic game.

    Comment by Barry G.— 2006/10/08 @ 03:06 PM — (Reply)

60. OMGoodness... Philips should be replacing ours in the next two weeks. Ours is wall mounted... I think I'm getting a stomach ulcer.

    Comment by Brooke— 2006/10/08 @ 02:37 PM — (Reply)

61. Brooke...just be ready with some extra hardware...see if they will tell you the model number they are sending you, check one out in a store and then get the correct hardware..screws etc.
    
    Barry sorry I missed it. Anytime the Cowboys get beat it's a good game.

    Comment by elmers brother— 2006/10/08 @ 07:35 PM — (Reply)

62. Hubby assures me that the wall mount is universal, so now we're just waiting and waiting for the new one. They call every four days and tell us the same thing: It's being delivered and it'll take 15 days.

    Comment by Brooke— 2006/10/13 @ 09:11 AM — (Reply)

63. 15 working days!

    Comment by Elmers Brother— 2006/10/13 @ 05:40 PM — (Reply)

64. Still not here... And the "mold" attacking the TV is getting worse.
    
    *sigh*

    Comment by Brooke— 2006/10/17 @ 10:48 AM — (Reply)

65. Well, it's finally here, and seems to work OK.
    
    However, the model they replaced ours with has less multimedia (USB, flashcard, ect) hookups, and is valued at 2/3rds of what our original TV was. The folks from Bose are looking into it...

    Comment by Brooke— 2006/10/30 @ 09:47 AM — (Reply)

66. I smell class action.

    Comment by Elmers Brother— 2006/10/30 @ 11:58 AM — (Reply)

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[ Top level ] #1: Cate on 2006/09/16 02:16 PM#2: Elmers Brother on 2006/09/16 04:03 PM#3: Lover of Angels on 2006/09/16 04:49 PM#4: Elmers Brother on 2006/09/16 04:52 PM#5: Elmers Brother on 2006/09/16 04:55 PM#6: Lover of Angels on 2006/09/16 04:55 PM#7: Barry G. on 2006/09/16 05:11 PM#8: Always On Watch on 2006/09/16 06:08 PM   #9: Always On Watch on 2006/09/16 06:09 PM#10: the merry widow on 2006/09/17 03:35 AM   #11: Cate on 2006/09/17 06:10 AM#12: Brooke on 2006/09/17 05:37 PM#13: elmers brother on 2006/09/17 06:09 PM#14: Brooke on 2006/09/17 06:14 PM#15: elmers brother on 2006/09/17 06:21 PM#16: Barry G. on 2006/09/17 07:12 PM#17: Brooke on 2006/09/18 10:48 AM#18: nanc on 2006/09/18 06:27 PM#19: elmers brother on 2006/09/18 08:36 PM#20: Brooke on 2006/09/19 05:15 AM#21: elmers brother on 2006/09/19 05:17 AM#22: Brooke on 2006/09/19 05:20 AM#23: Joe Gringo on 2006/09/19 01:01 PM#24: Barry G. on 2006/09/19 03:57 PM#25: elmers brother on 2006/09/19 04:04 PM#26: Barry G. on 2006/09/19 04:09 PM#27: In Russet Shadows on 2006/09/20 09:44 AM#28: elmers brother on 2006/09/20 04:40 PM#29: Barry G. on 2006/09/20 07:49 PM#30: elmers brother on 2006/09/20 10:58 PM#31: American Crusader on 2006/09/21 09:36 AM#32: on 2006/09/21 09:38 AM#33: nanc on 2006/09/22 11:03 AM#34: Brooke on 2006/09/22 11:28 AM#35: elmers brother on 2006/09/22 06:50 PM#36: Brooke on 2006/09/28 04:26 PM#37: Brooke on 2006/09/29 05:32 AM#38: elmers brother on 2006/09/29 07:58 AM#39: elmers brother on 2006/09/29 08:20 AM#40: Brooke on 2006/09/29 01:21 PM#41: Brooke on 2006/09/29 01:24 PM#42: Barry G. on 2006/09/29 06:39 PM#43: elmers brother on 2006/09/29 10:47 PM#44: elmers brother on 2006/09/29 10:48 PM#45: Brooke on 2006/09/30 06:13 AM#46: elmers brother on 2006/09/30 07:52 AM#47: Brooke on 2006/09/30 08:00 AM#48: elmers brother on 2006/09/30 08:07 AM#49: Barry G. on 2006/09/30 10:22 AM#50: Brooke on 2006/09/30 05:17 PM#51: Barry G. on 2006/09/30 05:40 PM#52: Brooke on 2006/10/03 06:24 PM#53: Barry G. on 2006/10/03 07:00 PM#54: elmers brother on 2006/10/03 08:17 PM#55: Barry G. on 2006/10/07 06:56 AM#56: elmers brother on 2006/10/07 08:22 AM   #57: Barry G. on 2006/10/07 08:05 PM#58: Elmers Brother on 2006/10/07 11:36 PM#59: Brooke on 2006/10/08 05:37 PM   #60: Barry G. on 2006/10/08 06:06 PM#61: elmers brother on 2006/10/08 10:35 PM#62: Brooke on 2006/10/13 12:11 PM#63: Elmers Brother on 2006/10/13 08:40 PM#64: Brooke on 2006/10/17 01:48 PM#65: Brooke on 2006/10/30 12:47 PM#66: Elmers Brother on 2006/10/30 02:58 PM — reply to this comment.

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