Where do you receive the best customer service?

[SheSaidHummingbird]

Inspired by a few threads. Not really a 'shopping' dilemma so don't think this belongs in that topic but happy for this thread to be moved.

Where do you feel that you experience the most kind/ supportive/ polite/ attentive/ mood-boosting in-person customer service? Could be from anywere: shops, salon, bank, pub etc. Anywhere that you are a customer, client, service user.

And what makes you feel that the service is great?

For me, it's the library. I always come away feeling really good, I'm asked how I am, how has my week been, or I am helped with something on my phone or the computer that has been worrying me all week, or simply having spoken to a kind-hearted person.

Please share yours!

Wrens Butchers, in Thame - quality product, knowledgeable good humoured pleasant all male butchers/staff, paper carrier bags, receipts, advice

Thame House dentists, all female staff, efficient, up to date, patient, excellent service

Thame Library, a quiet haven with helpful staff, in a civilised town.

Amazon - faultless around here, speedy, & efficient

doing their best in a sea of mediocrity - looking at you Sainsbury, Waitrose and Robert Dyas, Lloyds Bank, Glynswood Art Supplies

@VacuumPacked Definitely Amazon, I agree, but I'm finding it more and more unusual to experience great in-person, face to face customer service. Though I also understand that staff in many sectors aren't treated kindly, are working long hours and are generall fed up, so I can easily forgive when the service is less than.

It just makes such a different to a person's day when you are served with a smile, kindness and humour.

Local fishmongers and butchers. Great range of products, very knowledgeable, always cheerful and busy. They are both real assets to the area.

I always find Argos really good. Actual people answer the phone and they sort out returns/issues very efficiently. Premier Inn also very efficient/friendly, never had a fuckup there.

When I got my first job in BHS 20+ years ago, they drilled you on manners, service skills and smart presentation, so neat hair etc. This was to anyone be they the Saturday kids on 6 hour contracts, or their full time store managers. Now, retail is so desperate for staff, they'll stick anyone in a name tag on minimum wage & manners/service aren't considered skills.

However, my local Waitrose staff are wonderful, B&M locally are also pretty good and we have a lovely independent farm shop where all of the people onsite are lovely people and incredibly knowledgeable about their products.

My dentist!

M&S. Their services Just Work, and when I need to return or have a query it’s seamless. TBH I prefer dealing with a well oiled system with a human back up as necessary, rather than human first.

The best: Amazon. In my experience they go above and beyond and I don't even need to get out of bed 🤗
The absolute worst for years and years now? Tesco Extra. Can only speak for my own Customer service staff always chatting in a group with their back to you. Make you feel like you are interrupting their fun.

The Saturday staff are usually good, but this week it was a rude girl who very obviously wished she was anywhere else 😬
Have been that girl though (in another shop) so I have empathy somewhat..

Lovely helpful chap in my next nearest post office on Saturday morning 😊

Waves at @VacuumPacked I also live in Thame and agree.

Octopus energy
My dentist
Marks and Spencer - they seemed to go through a period of being staffed by ladies in their 50's and over who didn't give a shit but more recently the demographic in my closest one has changed and they are all really helpful.

Every B&M I have ever been in have lovely friendly staff, even when they are really busy. Always a smile and a little chat, ( mainly about my multiple bars of Caramac. Don't judge.)
Their staff training is brilliant, and I did e mail their head office to let them know how exceptional their staff are.

Air Canada, due to some cricumstances I had to drop a leg of a prebooked flight. I called and fully exepcted to take the cost of changes and cancellation on the chin. The amazing lady on the other end of the phone, waivered the fee to change the ticket, moved the 2nd leg forward by two days and got me a refund for the first leg. She was so incredibly kind and understanding. 5* review from me.

We now travel an hour to a butcher in a small village who have the best produce, deals and staff. I think most people in a drive able distance use them.

Last time I was in I seen a traffic warden approaching my abandoned car 🙈 (like I say small village+lots of people= parking chaos) the butcher sent me out to move my car then came and found me carrying all my bags/boxes of heavy goods.

I just want to preface this by saying I'm not a regular at Greggs (honest) and go because I get free coffee with the 02 Priority app. However, every time I go in they are so happy and friendly I always come out feeling really chirpy.

Also every time I've ever been to Timpsons their customer service is excellent. Once they fixed a watch strap without charging so DH bought them some doughnuts he was so impressed

Thank you, neighbour !

My local Starbucks has a lovely friendly lady there who makes everyone feel.welcome, as does our local independent coffee shop. Next I find great and also the local farm shop. JD sports is my worst on the flipside, they act like they are doing you a favour selling you a £150 pair of trainers, same with sports direct, they huff about being asked for certain sizes of things

Locally our dentist, if I go on my own the receptionist asks after my husband and kids which I like
Also our library, I'm a frequent user and we always have a chat. It's a community library so I'm keen to keep it going.

Booths
My local Costa
A few local independent coffee shops
o

The White Company (this was on my 'which shops make you feel happy' or whatever it was post the other day too 😂)

The coffee shop at our local park goes above and beyond ~ they know DSs name and are always lovely with him.

The little corner shop down the road from my dads place. I like more 'interesting' (very sugary and bad for me! But I don't drink alcohol so it balances out, or so I tell myself!) soft drinks - the American ones or new flavours from here. Any time I go in the guy will appear next to the fridge and show me what they have in that's new. And if it's one that's selling out quickly, he'll have hidden one for me 😅 Now reading this back, it may be less good customer service and more that I'm keeping them in business with fizzy drink sales 🫠

The obstetric department at my hospital. Everyone there, from the receptionist to the midwives and my consultant are so kind and supportive and provide such good care.

My local chemist.
its about a thousand years old, desperately needs a lick of paint and revamp but the lady behind the counter is lush.
She knows customers by name, chats and is just warm and friendly.
She will help you no matter what your enquiry and does it with no fuss or ceremony.
While waiting for my prescription she greeted at least 4 people by their first name.

Stuff like “it’s not ready yet Bill, nip and do your shopping at the Co op and I’ll have it ready by the time you are done” big smile and wave from Bill and off he went.
Asking how another woman’s daughter was doing but not holding up the queue or causing delays.
Gave me prescription with a huge smile and said “see you soon”.
A pleasure to go into that falling to bits little shop.

Ocado

My local optician

Robert Dyas - I had a problem with an online order recently and they were amazingly helpful!

This week, the Apple Store. Vey patient and helpful

Our local deli are so friendly and chatty. Their food is also fabulous

The independent toy shop on the same road - our dc are older teens now so I don’t shop in there as much as I used to but I went to to get some ideas for my charity Santa gifts and the lady owner couldn’t have been lovelier.

Car sales place down the road, again independent. Sensible advice, really friendly and helpful.

In n Out car garage in Cardiff West. They’ve been so helpful over the past couple of weeks, freely offering advice and recommendations and saving me a fortune. I’ve been going there for years and will definitely continue and recommend them to all of my friends!