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The value of customer service

By Amazon, Money / Finances, Rants, ShoppingNo Comments

Many companies these days under estimate the value of good customer service to it’s customers. I have over the last 12 months experienced very poor customer service from serveral large companies including: a well-known British Telecommunications company, a mobile phone company (containing a 2 in it’s name) and a bank (which has singing bank managers in their adds). I thought about creating a wall of shame to name and shame these companies, but I wouldn’t want to give them the publicity. The problem with these companies ofcourse is that they have millions of customers most of which will put up with this poor customer service.

Well not me. I change companies, even if I have to pay more. That’s the value of customer service to me!

However I have decided to name some companies that would go in my Hall of Fame, if I had one. Two companies that have always given me excellent customer service are Amazon and ASDA. Of course you only test a companies customer service when you have a problem with their goods / services. I guess I am lucky that most of the time I don’t have a problem with goods / services that I purchase.

Where does this post come from? You are probably asking yourself. Well over the weekend David and I ate at a resturant. I was dissatisfied with the mash I ordered with my lamb cuttlets. It was suppose to be freshly made (for the price we’d paid) but it turned out to be smash. You know, the horrible instant stuff out of the packet. I complained and got the drinks for free and the meals half price, with an apology. That for me is excellent customer service.

Rant over.

Antony

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Sunday 28 September 2008

Health, Wealth and Politics

By Health, Money / Finances, PoliticalNo Comments

Health wise, every few years I get a terrible migraine. One of those were your eyes are sensitive to light, your ears sensitive to sound and it ends in you vomiting. I have had one of these nightmare migraines yesterday and it has only just started to clear today.

In my earlier blog (Financial Blues) I spoke about my wealth, or lack of it. However I have got my ticket for £100 million euro millions jackpot. I don’t want the jackpot, just a few thousand to pay off the debts I owe and see the black once again.

However one does have to think about what one would do if the jackpot was his. Let’s see, where to start? Well David said I should give 10% of any winnings to charity. So I would probably set up my own charity with £10 million. Then as interest was earned on the remaining £90 million, 10% of the money made on interest would on an annual basis go in to the charity.

Next I would want to clear my debts and see the black. Once I’d done that I would turn my attention to my family and ensure that they where financially comfortable. I would more than likely do it in different ways as apposed to giving them cash. The reason for this is because recently I read an article one of the sunday news papers about a guy who won the lottery. In his life the money caused more, bigger problems than the ones he had before.

Third thing I would do: go on a holiday! Ha ha, I’d take David with me.

While I’ve been off today recovering from my migrane I caught up on this weeks Question Time. There were some interesting discussions around a variety of topics. Inparticular the costs of I.D cards which should total £6 billion and not really make a difference in terms of proving I.D or combating terrism / immigration problems. I’m sure I heard a few years ago that it would cost £3 billion. How the costs sprial, eh? And at a time where the cash could be better spent on dealing with the difficult finanacial situation the country is in. Something for Gordon Brown to consider?

Interestingly a few jokes where made about a female MP Hazel Blears who was on the panel about her becoming the Prime Minister. She had some good opinions / views on directions the country should go and is a local MP from Salford. She seemed very down to earth and I think she would make an excellent PM. Hopefully sooner, rather than later.

Have a nice weekend,

Antony

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Friday 26 September 2008

Financial Blues

By Life, Money / FinancesNo Comments

I don’t often like to talk about money, especially on a public arena. However, things financially are they poor and difficult at the moment. I currently owe £6, 050 in debt. This is for various expenses including my over drafts from when I was studying at university and my car loan.

All of which have been essential expenditure. With the banks increasing interest rates at present I am forced to increase my payments from £230 per month to £380. An overall increase per month of £150.

I am a young professional that earns a decent wage, but this is a big difference. In addition to this my expenditure on food and petrol has increased as prices have rose. I am hopeful that this is only in the short term. But with what I read on the Guardian and BBC – News, it looks unlikely to be a short term thing.

I guess I will muddle through, knowing that there are those who are worse off than me. But I would love to see one day, my bank balance that is in the black not the red.

My only hope is that my family and friends do not suggle too much in this difficult financial time.

With care & hugs,

Antony

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Monday 8 September 2008

Amazon Banners?

By Amazon, Money / FinancesNo Comments

You may have seen recently a few Amazon banners turning up on my pages. I know you may be thinking – what the hell is going on? Well, let me explain.

Loads of people shop online now and Amazon is the lead in the market. This due to it’s vast product selection and historically excellent customer support.

So I have joined the Amazon Associates Scheme. Basically for anyone that buys from clicking a link on my site, I get comission. I am hoping it will raise the £35 annual hosting fee.

So if your planning on shopping on amazon, click on any amazon link, or use the search box on each page under the ‘Coming Soon’ section and you’ll be helping me out.

I hate websites that have advertising everywhere though, so I promise not to go over board with the advertising!

Take Care,

Antony

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Sunday 27 July 2008
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