To think that Covid has become a convenient excuse for poor service ?

[Mellonsprite]

For some firms (not all) ?
Just come back from a couple of days away in the Uk. Lots of car parks still closed, public toilets not opened, Not many inside activities like museums and castles re-opened yet, the officious-ness of the clipboard wielding all in the name of Covid? The hotel Meal meal (Prepaid) was cancelled at last minute, then acting like refunding my fee paid upfront was highly generous of them, apparently they’d ‘mis-calculated due to Covid’. Neglecting the fact that it left us completely high and dry, unable to speak to guest relations via email or phone. Bars closing at 9pm with staff asking customers can we pay up & leave!

@PullTheBricksDown. My GP's surgery are training their Receptionists to treat any request as an intrusion on their time. They are erecting a "tent" in the car park for the elderly to have their flu jabs. Down right ruder than normal and really enjoying shooing people away

Yep. Had a totally trashed windscreen making my car undriveable. Company happy to take my excess but not provide a service as I was not a keyworker. Didn't give a toss that I was a carer for my extremely clinically vulnerable husband.
Also removal ot tea coffee making facilities and toiletries etc in hotels.
No buffet on Pizza Hut obviously but replacement salad basic .
Sure I can think of more.

YANBU

particularly the sainted NHS. The GP receptionists at my surgery use Covid to excuse everything from missing prescriptions, long hold times on the phone to appointments cancelled by them at the last minute. My friend is a nurse at the same practice, its the quietest she's ever seen it, and some staff seem to think they're on a 6 month holiday.

And the local bakery can't slice bread because of Covid. Wtf?

[quote Petlover9]@PullTheBricksDown. My GP's surgery are training their Receptionists to treat any request as an intrusion on their time. They are erecting a "tent" in the car park for the elderly to have their flu jabs. Down right ruder than normal and really enjoying shooing people away[/quote]
Thats for their protection.

I feel like I’m in the Eastern Bloc circa 1980. Queuing up in the rain, being shouted at, not allowed to touch things in shops, everyone is so miserable.

I mostly agree but understand to a certain extent why they have reduced opening hours in bank call centres etc. Right now, public transport is on reduced timetables and buses/trains are having their last service earlier, so workers can't staff call centres till 10pm as we would usually expect, they are having to finish shifts at 6,7,8pm depending on location.

Virgin Media!
The absolute worst!
Can’t even get through to them for a PAC number to change my provider from them to another firm🙄

An awful lot of people offering poor service are going to be unemployed soon.

Nhs audiology. Specsavers audiology is working, why not nhs. What are they doing?

@FluffyKittensinabasket

I feel like I’m in the Eastern Bloc circa 1980. Queuing up in the rain, being shouted at, not allowed to touch things in shops, everyone is so miserable.

Yes!

This is just how it feels.

Milk and More are only dealing with emails for refunds for non-delivered items. Every other email is completed ignored, whatever the subject. We are 5 month in now, companies really need to get their act in order. Unemployment is high, why can't they just take on more staff when they are clearly struggling to keep up with demand (and therefore raking in the profits)??

@Tattygran14

Nhs audiology. Specsavers audiology is working, why not nhs. What are they doing?

NHS get paid whether they work or not. Specsavers need to actually do something to get paid. That's the difference.

Supermarkets. Yes, you Asda
Surly, rude staff , convinced that their newfound ' hero' status allows them to treat you like crap. Fitting rooms closed since March ( hello, guidance has changed), general all round attitude that they are doing you a favour allowing you to shop there.

Automation is coming for a vast number of retail jobs.

No. Just no. Are they so much more at risk than someone who works in a garage, or a shop. Gp surgeries now run for the convenience of staff.

Agree. Including GP and out patients.

Gp surgeries now run for the convenience of staff

It has gone very much in that direction. Of course NHS staff should be able to be safe, but the guilt inducing messages you get ringing my surgery would make a lot of elderly people feel too bad to ask for the help they need. Told you need a mask when you get there - fair enough but you need to tell people first - this was before mask wearing became required in shops and so on. They didn't have any masks to offer people which they should have if they're not warning people in advance. And they've removed all the chairs from the waiting room so everyone coming for an appointment has to stand.

@Vargas

And the local bakery can't slice bread because of Covid. Wtf?

I was in a fancy cocktail bar but could not have crushed ice in a Mojito because, you know, Covid. Normal ice was fine apparently.

Curry’s PC World. Horrid, horrid service.

@FluffyKittensinabasket

I feel like I’m in the Eastern Bloc circa 1980. Queuing up in the rain, being shouted at, not allowed to touch things in shops, everyone is so miserable.

Yes, I’ve been saying that too.

I don't know why NatWest have people queuing outside, and no-one in the bank. Why do they need so much more space than you would have in the supermarket? It's not going to fly now the weather has changed either.

HMRC suck right now. Paid my tax bill almost a month ago. Clearly showing in the bank account. Letter now saying where’s their money. 4 days I have been trying to get in touch to get it sorted out and I still haven’t been able to speak to anyone! Tried phoning and the live chat. Nothing! The government trying to encourage everyone back to work yet this is a government agency and still have half the staff and hardly any of them actually in the office! I just want clarification of where my money has gone! It’s driving me insane!

Morrissons customer services phoneline has been down due to them helping feed the nation. Which is a shame but its been really frustrating.

We need to be careful with hygiene. So because of covid it's a real PITA for me to come clean your restaurant table. The floor hasn't been cleaned since January. Because of covid.