Name and praise companies and businesses with excellent customer service

[BrezhnevsLuxuriantEyebrows]

Following on from the thread about appalling experiences with companies that people would never use again for various reasons, I'd like to put a positive spin on it and 'name and praise' companies that DO care very much about their customers, deliver top quality service and take ownership of problems when they do arise and actually fix them; and thus deserve to be 'exposed' in a very positive way to others who may or may not wish to give them a try.

If you've been really impressed by a company that you feel values your custom - whether a big company, a small one or even just a local business to you that you believe deserves credit, feel free to share it here.

Needless to say, this is intended for wholly unconnected third-party customers - not for the businesses themselves or their associates/connected parties to advertise and blow their own trumpets!!

I'll start. We've been with a small broadband provider called Andrews & Arnold, based in Bracknell, but who offer their services nationwide - for 15 years now. Their prices may be slightly more than the big, well-known names, but we wouldn't dream of moving from them, as other companies just seem to pale in comparison.

I have been consistently amazed by the top-notch quality of their service, ethics, efficiency and honesty. They want to sell you what YOU want/need, and will actively advise you against wasting money on something if you don't. They have a reputation for taking no nonsense from BT Openreach (I think BTO hate and fear them!), telling BTO what needs to be done to fix issues when they claim they don't know how to resolve them; and they will gladly take on problems that any other companies have tried to fix but failed/not bothered.

You can even phone them and have your call answered in a few rings by an actual person, based in the UK, who knows exactly what they're talking about and won't fob you off. No bots, no menus, no call centres; and they will talk to you at your own level - whether you're a novice or a tech wizard.

I even know when we've had a power cut at home when we're away, because they monitor the connection every second (not the content - they're massive on privacy and civil liberties) every second and will send automated texts when the service occasionally drops and again when it's back on (e.g. "Service on this line lost for 86 seconds" between x & x) - usually caused by a brief BTO network blip, a minor power outage or even if you've unplugged the router for a moment to untangle the wires!

Morriston have quality food at fair prices. Parking never an issue and the store has enough choice but is not too big. Lovely staff. Never too busy. Love the salad bar.

The Bakery by Knife and Fork of Deddington for solving my bread problems. Really nice GF bread and focaccia. Just got my first order, I can finally say goodbye to the horrible supermarket gluten free stuff. Slicing carefully and freezing should mean it's no more expensive either, plus there's no overpackaging.

And, Katkin. Very good customer service. Expensive, but cat is happy and healthy.

My local Waterstones. Friendly, polite staff, interesting products and a nice café also with friendly, polite staff. Basically all you need for a successful business, so why is it so hard to find?!

Hartly Foulds funeral directors, Burnley.

They were incredibly kind to me, I know that is their job but exceptionally so.

I was using my wheelchair so it was a bit harder. It was an RC service so there is an opportunity to kiss the coffin. I couldn't do that so the FD brought a flower for me to kiss that she then put on the coffin.

It was a cremation and a couple of weeks ago we buried the ashes. The FD delivered the ashes to the hotel I was staying in.

Its gone now but there used be a lovely shop here in Coventry called Busy Fingers. It was first and foremost a wool shop but I used to go there for embroidery thread, kits buttons etc. They staff were so lovely and they also had a framing service, specialising in needlework, I have a drawer full of stuff that needs framing hut I can't find another needwork framer. There was always plenty of choice, the man who worked there it was always happy to help me decide on the right frame and lady even helped me wrap an item I had just picked up for a Christmas present.

Andertons (musical instrument shop in Guildford, Surrey). Waterstones.

Brickhaus Lego cafe in Wellington. We went there while we on holiday last week. It was delightful and they could not do enough for us. Best service I've experienced in a long time.

There is a hardware shop in North Manchester called Relionus. They are brilliant. Anytime I need to get something done around the house I go in, explain what needs doing, they ask a few questions and sell me the best stuff for the job. And if for example I need particular screws or fixing they sell me the exact number I need - no buying a pack of 20 when I only need two. No trekking round to find things either - they serve from behind an old fashioned counter like in "four candles" and bring everything to you.

The price per unit is sometimes a little more than B&Q but as you're only getting what you need it works out cheaper.

Harry Benmore mattresses. Sent me a voice note with his recommendations after asking some questions. Mattress got a mark on during delivery, he gave me an immediate choice of replace or discount and advice how to get the mark out
plus the mattress is great. Solid, heavy, good quality

Sainsburys and Aldi are the two supermarkets where I have noticed their customer service has been absalutely fantastic.

Their staff are kind, helpfull, cheerfull and good with people.

Boden
Leeds Building Society
Jones the Bootmaker
Waitrose

DH died recently so I have been extra sensitive to crap customer service from banks and utilities.

The absolutely outstanding five star ones have been: NatWest, Nationwide and Aviva (finance not insurance).

The one I won't be using in the future is Prudential. I'm having to go to probate just for them. Aviva sorted everything over the 'phone and the money (similar amount to that with Prudential) was in my account within 48 hours. Prudential still have my late husband's money.

Government departments, without exception, have been excellent too. A special mention to Equiniti who pay out military widows' pensions and the Veterans Agency who coordinate it all. I received my first payment in exactly two months from DH's death.

Not me directly but elderly Grandparent in Law.

Pets calm down pet treat company.

DH's Nana (in her very late 80s) was recommended their joint support treats at her knitting club for her elderly dog. She is not great on the phone nowadays (struggles to hear and really struggles with heavy accents) and also really nervous at buying online so she was waiting for us to come to help her order them. She phoned them up on speaker phone (didn't want to put card details in online) and they were so kind and patient with her. No aggressive up selling, calmly listened to her long winded explanation at how she knew about them, spoke to her about her dog and listened to her once again long winded stories and talked her through how to use the treats. Patiently answered all her questions. Told her to call them back if she needed any help at all with the treats. They have an online catalog but when she said she struggles online they said they would send her a leaflet instead with all their products on. It was so nice for her to feel successful ordering on the phone.

She has since recommended them to someone else in the village so good customer service does pay off.

4wire teaming up with barns & stables.
I wanted a decent catico and tunnel for my house cat, I'd tried four or five other companies all of whom either quoted sky high prices or said it can't be done .
I contacted 4wire sent them a description of what I wanted and a couple of photos with rough measurements I got a full quote the next day and within 2 weeks to guys from barns and stables came out and built it .
Great service !

Thanks, all - so good to know that there are still plenty of amazing top quality companies out there ❤️

Timpsons !

E&S hardware shop in the High Street Malmesbury, Wiltshire. Very knowledgeable about all diy, paints ( they are a supplier for the Little Green co, cleaning products, gardening products. Amazing place.

Vodafone. I know lots of people on the other thread had issues with them but they have been excellent . I moved to them after finally breaking free from Virgin and I chose a broadband package for £38. This year I had to renew my contract and they gave me exactly the same deal for £30. Their connection is reliable and I have never had any problems with customer service.

Octopus. Just brilliant. They suggest the amount of direct debit but give the customer an option to readjust it, which gives me confidence that I won’t be overpaying. The customer service is great and easy to contact.
They also value loyalty. When I fixed my contract last year, they gave me a slightly better deal to the previous one even though they prices had gone up.

AO
Bought a dishwasher, fridge and range from them. Rang the day after ordering with each one to arrange delivery and talk through fitting options. They also sold insurance and were completely clear that they were selling and I could end the conversation if I didn’t want to be sold to (whereas another company I worked with would say they had ‘important information about your purchase’ to keep you on the phone).

Every delivery driver has been very polite, answered questions and worked quickly. They also gave my kids bright green teddies with AO on which they were thrilled with 😂

They have worked with cleaning influencer I follow to provide free appliances when they she is completely gutting and cleaning very serious cases (ie fridges where just cleaning is not enough, the item is a health hazard). On top of the free appliances they sponsor the content which is the only way the lady can afford to do the free cleans which take her days.

NatWest for helping my mum when sorting bank stuff after my dad died. They were kind, caring and had time for her.
P&O Cruises - great call center with knowledgeable staff that knew the ships and could offer helpful advice on cabins. Service onboard was amazing too.

Nationwide. Their service & attitude to their members is completely different to those of the big banks. And they are keeping their branches open. And they actually reward their members’ loyalty. I don’t know why anyone banks with anyone else.

Monica Vinader - dd had a bracelet for her bday 3 years ago, the clasp broke recently. I hadn’t realised but they will repair or replace up to 5 years after purchase, no quibbles. Dd now has a brand new bracelet!

Micro Scooters

I emailed about an issue with the adjustable handlebars, literally 5 years after owning it, a member of staff did a video call with me talking me exactly how to fix it, and it worked.
Brilliant bit of kit, brilliant after sales.

Nationwide - when someone fraudulently used my card, I rang up and they just showed compassion and kindness, and got it sorted immediately with minimal fuss. But it was the tone of the woman on the phone that spoke that I remember.

Sainsburys delivery drivers are mostly very friendly and helpful - this week I was home alone and heavily pregnant. Delivery driver kindly carried all the crates into the kitchen and helped me unload them. They did the same when I was pregnant first time. Admittedly they probably thought it would take me a long time on my own! But they were still cheerful about it.

AO
Sainsbury’s online
Nationwide