The Adversarial Consumer Society In Practice - Who's side are you on? Blog Discussion

bylromarha

The lady I spoke to was very pleasant.

My husband is a regular Viking customer, having been wooed by their CS years ago. They were quite happy to only take my order for 10 reams + CD player...even though we'd had the 10 reams at 9p previously(they've been doing this cheap paper offer quite regularly)

The email seems very polite on both accounts. Mr Carvell sounds like he's doing his job properly for his business and Mr Lewis is doing his job too. Never the twain shall meet on this matter.

As for being rude to staff, (the only part that Martin and Rich agree on), I think anyone who was should realise that nothing is to be gained from this, but I am unsure as to how Mr Carvell can identify them all as MSE users. If I worked at a call centre, a rude customer would just make me dig my heels in even more and resist giving them whatever they felt was their right.

This offer has made us continue to view Viking as the best stationary supplier in the market and will continue to politely use their service...especially now that their MD seems like he's actually a good guy. Who knows, he probably stoozes his mortgage and uses saynoto0870 himself.

oh_heck

these people who abuse others who are just doing a job like this have no manners, morals or compassion:rolleyes: so there's little point in appealling for them not to do so again


fortunately while they say they are MSE'ers ,thankfully they are a tiny percentage,the majority wouldn't treat people like this ,in my view

mandarin_2

oh_heck wrote:

these people who abuse others who are just doing a job like this have no manners, morals or compassion:rolleyes: so there's little point in appealling for them not to do so again


fortunately while they say they are MSE'ers ,thankfully they are a tiny percentage,the majority wouldn't treat people like this ,in my view

Now listen up......oh_heck has spoke! Strange that such a newbie is so familiar with the manners, morality and compassion of MSE'rs

Brave enough to put your sig back I see!

raeble

As this site has got bigger we seem to be getting more and more posters that are less interested in money saving and more interested in money grabbing. It is not right to have a go at the person on the other end of the phone. I've had to deal with irrate customers and all the training in the world does not help you to deal with the feelings they invoke with their aggressive ranting.

Poppy9

Cat72 wrote:

I think it is nice to hear from him and is good that he wrote, I dont mind his language thatis common day usage and heck good on him he sounds genuine.

We are being made immune to bad language through daily use. Would you like it if a shop assistant replied to your question with "are you taking the P'ss ?" If its not acceptable in person it's not acceptable in written correspondence. Personally I appalled at the vile language displayed in public, on TV, radio etc. I am no prude and sometimes the need to swear is there - however in everyday language - no. I was brought up to believe it's a sign of a poor vocabulary.

oh_heck

mandarin wrote:

Now listen up......oh_heck has spoke! Strange that such a newbie is so familiar with the manners, morality and compassion of MSE'rs

Brave enough to put your sig back I see!

Brave .............never :rolleyes:

strange........oh_yes;)


newbie...............no:D


manners ,morality and compassion ..................in abundance:j


single login.......................absolutely:rotfl:

scottishchick27

I was one of the one's who took up on this offer, got my 10 reams of paper and cd player. Was highly delighted with them. I wasn't rude or aggressive to the CS and found them extremely courteous. I have now been sent a catalogue and there is a lot of things in it that I am going to purchase. I wouldn't have heard of them if it hadn't been for the posting.
For every MSE'r who took advantage of the offer and will never purchase again there will surely be another who will make purchases now and again. I'm sure in a year's time he will perhaps notice an increase in profits that will go in some way to recompense any loss the company has made from this special offer. It's in long term that he should be thinking.
PS - No-one deserves to be abused for doing there job so I would say to all MSE'rs who are guilty of aggresive behaviour towards any CS - wisen up. They are only doing a job like you and me.

Smiley_Mum

I have used Viking Direct for various stationery items in the past, my most recent being a cross cut shredder. I have always been pleased with their service and quality of products, prices. The fact that they have a freephone number too for ordering is/was helpful too.

I think it is ashame that there are the small minority that spoil it for others by getting greedy and/or being mean to people who are only doing their job.

Cat72

We are being made immune to bad language through daily use. Would you like it if a shop assistant replied to your question with "are you taking the P'ss ?"

Not wanting to get into a language debate, its not what you say but the way that you say it. One person can say "p'ss" and mean it offensively and another can jut say it in a jovial nonchalant manner. Any word can be used offensively.

I dont care how people talk as long as they good people. Not everyone has been privay to a good education and " swearing " has always been around.

howalsh

I always thought Viking Direct was a bit "fly by night" with its various offers and cheap catalogue, but I now have more respect for the firm & would be more likely to use them in the future. Perhaps the freebies could be offered on the, say, third purchase rather than the first? If the boss is reading this & thinks its a good idea, I give Martin permission to let him contact me & shower me with rewards!