Vent - When People Say...

Kavanne

'I'm not angry at YOU but...' <rant about company>

I've had this in all my customer facing jobs (department store, dry cleaners, OXFAM (lol) )

You clearly are angry at ME because *I* am not doing what YOU want RIGHT now. At least be honest about it! lol

Widelats

They should try again, this time without the 'but', or at least say 'however' instead. The '"I'm wouldnt see anyone feel awful, but ..." is the oldest contradiction in English language.

Melissa22_Mum

lol you've had nice people then. Usually it was MY fault and I owed them something.

Little_Miss_Lexi

I'm guilty of doing this a few times, I get on the phone ranting and raving then realise that its some poor person on the end who doesn't deserve it and I always apologize to them and say that I'm sorry for taking it out on them. At the end of the day they are the people dealing with the problems caused by management, They don't deserve to be spoken to like something someone has just walked in.

maggie111

I am as polite as I can be on the phone to Customer Service agents, I understand it's their job, it's not their life, or their profits. I used to work in a call centre.

However, I can't see what's wrong with saying "I'm not angry at you but..." because I'm pretty sure some people don't differentiate worker with the company. Therefore, if I do get worked up I know I could come across as having a go and I try and explain that I am not having a go at them, but if they're the highest level of staff I can speak to in order to convey the problems I am having - I want it clear that I am voicing frustration at the company/situation as best as I can.

In fact, the only time I've had a rant on the phone AT a customer service agent was when I was continuously lied to - which insulted my intelligence and as he was claiming there was no supervisor in the building - the poor man had no option but to hear my rage. I still don't feel bad!

ThinkingOfLinking

Sorry, OP, I admit I also am guilty of this. For example, I now clarify, "When I say YOU, I mean (company name); I know this situation/problem is nothing to do with you." Because sometimes I accidentally slip into the mode of "When you phoned to ask me if I wanted insurance I said no, but I now find I've been charge for it regardless" sort of thing. Because I feel downright sorry for these people as they get it in the neck for something they have no control over and was nothing to do with them in the first place; and I've been there.

The amount of abuse and hassle I'd get for stopping people smoking in an arena..."HELLO, I didn't make the law and have no way of changing it" (I love it though; thank goodness fo the smoking ban).

marleyboy

I would omit the "NOT", If the manager is somehow "not" available and I get passed down to someone manning the phone, until they put me on to someone relevant regarding a complaint or at least attempt to do something about it, those who have the misfortune of working for the company, are representatives of that company (its what they are paid to do), if they cant take the stick, they should consider working at the marshmallow factory

cattie

When I need to sound off about bad service or such, I always tell the frontline people I have to deal with that I know it isn't their fault.

Indeed, I'm certainly not angry at them, but at the bloody management who seem not too care or oblivious to the bad service on offer & would love to focus my annoyance at them if only one could be given the opportunity.