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5 Companies That Excel at Screwing Over Customers
http://www.alternet.org/economy/5-companies-excel-screwing-over-customers
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1. Sprint
How do customers hate thee? Let us count the ways. Over at the Consumer Affairs website, you can actually read 2,366 accounts of rage, frustration and bewilderment with issues ranging from dropped calls to confusing plans to unexpected charges. Here’s a typical cri de coeur from a customer who attempted to deal with a simple issue of moving abroad and needing to cancel plans:
“I spent 7 hours on the phone to solve the problem. 7 crazy hours!” — Petro, Arlington, VA, March 15, 2014
***SNIP
2. Spirit Airlines
Spirit wins the prize for most customer complaints of any airline, and it has dedicated extraordinary effort to the project of bamboozling customers with outrageous fees. Spirit has mastered the art of charging what appear to be low prices and then extracting money through various sneaky practices. Its business model depends on customers not knowing where and how they’re going to get hit. Spirit makes 41 percent of its revenues in fees.
***SNIP
3. Time Warner Cable
Pity the customer of Time Warner Cable. Service frequently goes on the fritz, and should you dare to call customer service, you will be treated to an experience that would challenge the imagination of George Orwell.
***SNIP
4. Walmart
As Time magazine recently reported, Walmart gets abysmal marks on customer satisfaction among retail stores:
“No retailer had a worse ACSI [American Customer Satisfaction Index] score than Wal-Mart’s 71 for customer satisfaction. Not only did the company have the lowest score of any department or discount store, but it also scored just 72 when graded as a supermarket — the lowest in that sector as well.”
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raven mad
(4,940 posts)Wells Fargo.
didn't loose anything to them but time and sanity. Took forever to get papers for my auto title after loan payoff. Took them 2 years to finally send me an over payment check.
MindPilot
(12,693 posts)Took more than a year for them to send me the form that I could get notarized, take to the DMV, stand in line, pay $15, and get the piece of paper that says I own the car.
Cost me $8000 in fees to get out from under a lousy Wells Fargo mortgage, but like a divorce...it was money well-spent!
Ilsa
(64,320 posts)I hate when we only get 4/5 in the OP, but thanks for the link!
DeSwiss
(27,137 posts)
- And I mean that with every fiber of my being.
K&R
yeoman6987
(14,449 posts)Good lord they knew about problems and kept them from the public or even refused to fix the problem. Outrageous.
LibDemAlways
(15,139 posts)The tower nearest me would go down for days at a time and complains to Sprint would be met with a shrug and the attitude that if the tower wasn't operational so what. Truly a shitful outfit.
hobbit709
(41,694 posts)Back when it was Southwestern Bell, any time I had a problem I could call their 800 number and talk to someone local and get the problem resolved within 10 minutes. If you went to their website you could enter your phone number and it would tell you if they were having service problems in your area.
After it became AT&T it all went downhill. The ATT website didn't have that feature and if you called the 800 number it took 15 minutes just trying to wade through the options. When you finally got a person it was someone in South Asia and you could tell they were reading from a script, wanting you to do all the things you tried BEFORE calling them. I spent 45 minutes arguing with some clown before he finally admitted they having service problems. "So you just wasted 45 minutes of both of our time?" was my response.
One time I got a new combination DSL modem/router to replace the old modem and separate router and tried to set it up. After an hour and a half of "Invalid User ID and/or Password" I called them and half an hour of getting switched from one tech support to another we figured out the problem.
They had changed the password on the DSL without telling me. The User ID and password when I first got DSL with SBC was the same as the User ID and password on the primary email box on my account. They decided that the DSL ID and the email ID had to have a different password without telling me. "Would you be so kind as to tell me what my new password is?" They gave it to me and instant connection. I then changed the password from what they assigned to FUCKATT***
CBHagman
(17,491 posts)I too remember getting excellent and personalized customer service from Bell Atlantic. Now there's this veritable ring of hell provided by Verizon -- incessant mailings to urge me to upgrade, an utterly useless website into which comments and requests vanish, and of course the outsourcing of tech support to another continent. Last summer it took a week to find out why I wasn't getting Internet service anymore.
asjr
(10,479 posts)spent so much time on the phone with them I am worn out after I hang up. There may be sneakier ones out there but I have yet to meet them. AT&T remains to me the devil.
llmart
(17,585 posts)I have them for internet and phone landline and they are simply horrible. Not too many choices from what I can see though.
DaveJ
(5,023 posts)We tried it out and we're ditching it soon. Their on demand is a joke. I'll find a tv series and if I want to watch it from the beginning it's impossible because out of 3 years of episodes, they'll have like 5 random episodes to chose from. Like all cable companies they just want you to watch their 15 minutes of commercials for every 5 minutes of content. Horrible.
BuelahWitch
(9,083 posts)I liked SBC SO MUCH BETTER! Good customer service, no hassles. When they gave me a special price for 6 months, it stayed on my bill for 6 months. Now they tell me I'm getting credits for 6 months, but two months later, BOOM!, the bill is back up where it was. They want me to switch from DSL to U-Verse. I am resisting and looking at other options for when they try to force me to do so.
I actually got a good rep yesterday though. I was talking to him about my bill and told him why I didn't want U-Verse. He said, "Yeah, it's nice to have your phone working when the power goes out!" He sounded like an older man who'd been around a while. I hope they don't fire him for stating the obvious.
Bobbie Jo
(14,344 posts)white hot suns. 
Worst customer service EVER.
pangaia
(24,324 posts)
ileus
(15,396 posts)So I always end up with ATT.
AllyCat
(18,804 posts)I've just renewed another two year contract with them. We have good service/signal and Credo's phone and tech support is prompt and knowledgable. It is surprising to us that Sprint is so poorly ranked since Credo uses their network. We are very happy with Credo.
classof56
(5,376 posts)Sprint notwithstanding, Credo's thus far offered great tech support and customer service. Nice to hear from another satisfied Credo user. I appreciate their policies and politics. About to renew for another two years. 
DireStrike
(6,452 posts)Banks have to make money, and they do it by screwing poor people who can't fight back. These practices are industry standard, so every customer switching banks because they've been robbed is met with a matching customer from the bank they're switching to.
joshdawg
(2,961 posts)should be on the list.
pangaia
(24,324 posts)Here's another FRONTIER UNCOMMUNICATIONS...
1.28 MG download.. that's it. bro...
MLB Network.. I called "customer Serviceless.. got a woman in the Phillippines.. phone line sounded like she was on speaker phone on the Mars Rover. No consonants.. "What?.. please repeat that." "you oes iueh aauio jieiuo. ok?"
? " "HUH?" Any question I asked she just read off one of the 14 official answers on her list...
BTW, since I can not afford $65-85/month I don't get to watch the Final Four today... And I don't think it is streaming...
My mom tried to order caller ID for their residential phone line and got the same customer serviceless operator, I swear. I live 10 miles away and I swear I could hear her outrage upwind.
So they dumped their land line and have gone to cells only.
pangaia
(24,324 posts)Oh they are REALLY going to love THAT customer no service.
sybylla
(8,655 posts)With a pretty good service record. No big corporations to deal with. Actual people to talk to and visit in their stores.
Whoodathunk.
pangaia
(24,324 posts)
spinbaby
(15,387 posts)I try not to deal with Walmart but find myself there regularly because they're my only source of affordable glucose test strips and also because I take my mother and my in-laws shopping regularly and they all like to shop at Walmart. Shoddy merchandise, empty shelves, harsh lighting, bad store layout, endless check-out lines, the place is a freaking nightmare. My biggest complaint with them is that often when I take the old folks shopping, we will come home without one or more items we paid for, even though we carefully check that stupid bag carousel they have at checkout. But yet I can't convince them that they are not getting the best deal at Walmart.
hobbit709
(41,694 posts)Walk in, head to the pharmacy section, grab 2 boxes, check out and get the hell out of there.
greyl
(23,024 posts)DaveJ
(5,023 posts)There are better alternatives. I used to be fooled into thinking Walmart was less expensive, but Walmart pockets the profit they get from their 'buying power' and doesn't pass it along to the consumer. Actually since I stopped shopping there I've found cheaper prices elsewhere and much higher quality. I'm thinking about creating a website that lists items and their prices side by side that proves it.
Also when i shopped there, the low quality items that broke or clothes that tore easily ended up costing me more money to replace.
Maybe you can just order to glucose strips online and never have to enter the store.
sybylla
(8,655 posts)I haven't had to work hard to convince my relatives to not go there any more. If you have to stop at a second store to get all the groceries you need, why go there in the first place? Even my mom, who was once a diehard Walmart fan has quit. I heard a unanimous chorus rise when I mentioned that a couple of days ago in front of a large group of family. It surprised me that so many from different communities all had the same experience.
pangaia
(24,324 posts)their green onions are good. ssshhhhh...
Better than Wegmans or Trader Joe's.
That's all I buy there...
But the smell of the place... god awful !
Edited because I couldn't spell their.. 
loudsue
(14,087 posts)2003.
Well, guess what? I have an old PC that has Windows XP and Office 2003, and they work perfectly every time. Every time Microsoft comes out with a "new" Windows, I hear nothing but panic, problems, and pissed-off customers, telling about how they can't transfer over files without taking a week or month to get everything situated. Complaints about nothing working properly....kicking out all the other software on the computer.
Not everyone HAS a week or a month to fix microsoft's problems!!!! I hate them I hate them I hate them!!!!! Ok. Hate's bad, ok? But they so totally suck. Their greed knows no bounds.
I LOVE my Apple!!! But I need Windows based Office to interface with some companies/institutions, so I have kept my PC (it's an antique, also).
hobbit709
(41,694 posts)without their updates to screw it up it will probably work better.
loudsue
(14,087 posts)The messages indicate that even virus protection software won't help, because Windows XP won't be able to accommodate the virus software updates??? WTF??
hobbit709
(41,694 posts)MSE will still update for another year and some. Other antivirus programs will still work. Hell, you can still get AVG to work on Windows 2000.
The main way to avoid problems is to NOT use Internet ExploDer.
loudsue
(14,087 posts)"Trying to get me to spend money for nothing!" Exactly.
I only use Internet Explorer to send the Office documents that the companies/institutions need as Windows-based documents. I log on, and send 'em, then log off. Quickly!
For all other internet use, I use my Mac.
hobbit709
(41,694 posts)you don't have to use IE even on a Windoze machine.. Firefox, Chrome, or other browser will work just fine.
LAGC
(5,330 posts)If hackers figure out a way to inject code to compromise key system networking processes, all those not using a firewall could be vulnerable to mass-infection, since there will be no more Windows updates to patch such holes.
In fact, its very possible hackers are sitting on an exploit right now, waiting for the deadline to pass, knowing Microsoft will no longer be addressing such vulnerabilities.
The bottom line: it's just plain dangerous keeping ANY Windows XP system hooked up to the Internet past next week. Folks should either upgrade, or just keep the system permanently off-line.
loudsue
(14,087 posts)Really....how friggin' much trouble would it be for MS to keep XP online. It would win them incredible good will from a few customers....the rest of the customers are busy buying the newest thing anyway. But it's like Toyota: they keep selling more cars because people still TRUST THE OLD ONES. You either make and maintain a good product, or you don't.
Microsoft won't ever get it.
hobbit709
(41,694 posts)The biggest security problem with M$ is the fact that their browser is an integral part of Windoze-that creates a giant hole with access to the entire OS.
I have gone to risky sites and have on occasion gotten warnings from my various security software that something was blocked. I have never gotten a virus on that computer. The only virus I ever got hit with was on a disk that someone I trusted gave to me-he hadn't scanned it before he burned it and I didn't since I assumed he had.
The major cause of all infections is the ID ten T error.
I can't count the number of infected computers that were completely up to date on patches that I've had to clean.
I won't use Internet ExploDer or Outhouse Distress.
eppur_se_muova
(41,862 posts)and provides just about the best security around, if you buy the full version. The free version can only be used for batch scans, not continuous real-time protection, but has worked very well for us.
pangaia
(24,324 posts)loudsue
(14,087 posts)I just looked it up, and I'm glad you pointed me in that direction! 
MindPilot
(12,693 posts)Yes, if you are able to give MS enough money, they will continue to provide security patches.
mainer
(12,548 posts)ergghhhh.
LibDemAlways
(15,139 posts)I had in Hawaii last summer was full of bugs, and the last time I tried to rent from Enterprise, my name popped up in their database as "Do not rent to this person." Turns out my crappy auto insurance company, Liberty Mutual, had been slow pay when I used Enterprise when my car was in the shop after I was rear ended by some jackass who was texting at the time. So, naturally, I was being blamed for the late payment, although the contract clearly stated that the insurance company was picking up the tab. Nothing worse than being screwed over by not one but two incompetent corporate entities.
allan01
(1,950 posts)what !!!!! no comcast ??????? no staples ??????????? hmmmmm. not even at and t? dang/
stonecutter357
(13,045 posts)
Arcanetrance
(2,670 posts)But they hold exclusive rights to NFL games which really sucks
L0oniX
(31,493 posts)AlbertCat
(17,505 posts)...... no
NEWS CORP??????
littlewolf
(3,813 posts)and I haven't had any problems with them.
but we have very basic like 9.00 a month basic.
so they pretty much leave us alone.
AT&T I never had a problem with ever. In the Navy
all of our communication lines went thru them.
troubleshooting was a breeze. now Home service might
be different, but from a commercial use, no problem.
beac
(9,992 posts)I am in terror of the merger with Verizon b/c Verizon is pretty much the devil and when I had to use them at my old address there was a problem EVERY MONTH and dealing with them was a complete nightmare.
Verizon should DEFINITELY be on the list.
Liberalynn
(7,549 posts)Sold my sister the Geek Squad protection. Told us it covered routine cleaning, repair, etc on all problems software, hardware on three computers.
When we needed to use it, suddenly it was on one computer, only hardware etc.
When my sister complained it was a rip off they said no it isn't if you bring in your one computer and it has a hardware problem we will still fix that.
No apologies though for the misrepresentation.
Screw you Best Buy that is the last time you are going to get the chance to screw us. No wonder they are on shaky legs even though they have little competition especially around here.
rickford66
(6,063 posts)I've had their help on more than three devices. On one laptop that needed a new drive, they also provided a Windows XP disc since the laptop didn't come with a disc. You just have to push a little and persevere. I have been on the phone with them a couple times but that route isn't always helpful, but they did try. I did find out that there is an AARP discount for the service only after I bought it. Don't forget. These guys are only low paid local computer freaks. They probably look up most of their fixes on the internets just as we do.
Liberalynn
(7,549 posts)with than the "Geeks" themselves. I can't speak to the quality of the Geeks actual knowledge on fixing my computer as we never got to that part, since their management refused to honor the extended warranty their sales personnel had sold to us promising great things, which they never had any intention of keeping.
rickford66
(6,063 posts)The Geek Squad support option (I believe it's called) is a type of insurance for several items. Your extended warranty is for the item you purchased. The Geeks Squad option certainly covers hardware (labor not parts) and software. I'm reading right off their literature ("Troubleshooting assistance for all computer related issues. Hardware or software installation. Operating System installation and repairs. On-demand access to how-to videos. Discounts on Geek Squad services"
. I didn't buy the extended warranties with my laptops because the manufacturer's warranty wasn't too bad so I bought the Geek Squad support for not much difference in cost to cover several items. Plus within 30 days you can return computers to Best Buy for replacement, repair or return. If it works for 30 days, it'll probably work for a couple years. Long enough not to be obsolete. Keep screaming though. Work your way up the management ladder. At some point, someone will want to either make you happy or want to shut you up. It worked for me with Chrysler years ago.
Liberalynn
(7,549 posts)We should have asked for higher management assistance. I ended up taking my PC to a local non chain repair shop. If my sister's computer or my laptop have issues though we will take the issue up with Best Buy again.
rickford66
(6,063 posts)They've put everyone else out of business. Radio Shack is closing up. Not many choices where I live. I won't go into a Wall-Mart if I can buy an item anywhere else at any price. I only go into Sears to buy their vacuum bags or an occasional socket. We try to support all the Mom and Pop stores we can. I go to a small hardware store first before I drag myself to Lowes or Home Depot. The American people still don't realize that buying cheap is suicide for our economy.
Liberalynn
(7,549 posts)One I am going to start following more. The local store actually fixed it quicker and for cheaper than BB was going to charge me.
rickford66
(6,063 posts)You're probably helping poorer employees also.
Uben
(7,719 posts)They have gotten so cheap since they took over K-MArt. Screwed me out of $250 worth of reward points, but it certainly made sure I would never set a foot in another Sears in my lifetime. I promptly cut up my credit card (had it since 1972) and told their supervisor in accounts to kiss my sweet ass goodbye. And they wonder why they are failing. Duh, you're stupid!
Kmart bought Sears.
Uben
(7,719 posts)I have never dealt with such rude and obstinate people as those in Sears' accounting office. I just know the company has gone waaaay down hill since being acquired, IMHO
beac
(9,992 posts)DO NOT EVER use either of these companies (same parent company) for your move!
They will steal boxes, break furniture and generally treat your belongings like shit and then, when you complain, they will say "We are sorry we fell short of our goal. Thank you for sharing your concerns with us. We will try to do better next time." Their "restitution" process is a joke and you will NEVER be made whole for the losses/breakage.
Even if you THINK you are using a local mover, if you see the Mayflower or United logo at the top of their estimate RUN FOR THE HILLS! I wish I had checked Mayflower/United's reputation online but I trusted a colleague's recommendation to the "local mover" who turned out to be a Mayflower affiliate.
HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE, HORRIBLE COMPANY!
loudsue
(14,087 posts)But since I had some things moved straight into storage, I didn't know for a couple of years that they stole a solid cherry board off my canopy bed. WTF are they going to do with one 6-inch thick solid cherry board? Actually, it would have made a beautiful shelf, or even a frame for a fireplace.
They also stole a box of very cool kitchen gadgets.
LibDemAlways
(15,139 posts)a short move across town. Their truck broke down and they never called us to let us know. Finally, after a few hours, my husband went out looking for them and found them pulled over on the side of the road. The two guys were casually smoking cigarettes.Husband determined what was wrong with the truck, bought a part, and installed it. Truck finally arrived 8 hours after it started out on a few minute trip. No apologies from Mayflower, through we were eventually reimbursed for the part. Never again.
Laelth
(32,017 posts)-Laelth
MuseRider
(35,176 posts)should be on that list after the screwing we took with their home wireless TV deal however Sprint is the worst of the worst of the worst. At least with Verizon our mobile phones work almost flawlessly every where we go. Sprint did not even work in our house with a Sprint tower a block away. Sprint deserves to be at the top of every bad list there is although it sounds like Spirit Air should also remain at the top. What screw jobs.
lumberjack_jeff
(33,224 posts)Verizon sucks and they charge a premium price for that abuse.
MuseRider
(35,176 posts)If you need that then sadly the premium price is the price you have to pay. I hate it, I hate them but if you can't use your phone even in your house, I would say the price that Sprint charges is every bit as expensive since you get nothing for it. We have to face the fact that they all suck. Some you can avoid and some you can't. For us we need our phones. We don't need to fly so we have given that up unless there are emergency family issues. Pick and choose, that is all we are left with because in reality we are getting screwed by almost every company and there is no longer anyone to protect us from being driven into poverty if we use things like we always have. Pick and choose from the list of cannibals.
pangaia
(24,324 posts)lumberjack_jeff
(33,224 posts)pangaia
(24,324 posts)But don't quote me. They use other companies' towers.
They have very low rate plans- and more expensive ones..No contract is required.
I get very good connectivity for the most part...
Of course if you call 'customer service,' it is someone usually in S E Asia. but the very few times I have had to call they actually CAN answer questions if you are patient with the phone lines and their English. I haven't had to call anyone in maybe 2 years..
I use my cell very little now.. but will use it much more in the near future...
I'd just say they are worth a look to see if they offer what you need.
ellie
(6,975 posts)The promotional rate I was receiving expired and they called me and offered me another deal. It was a pretty good deal and they sent me a confirmation email. Then I got my bill and it was $20 more than the deal they offered. I chatted online, because there is no way I was going to call them. They told me the math was wrong. It was their math! What the hell?! When I pointed this out to them several times and they are adjusting my bill for six months. What a fucking scam. Just outrageous.
Logical
(22,457 posts)
BainsBane
(57,750 posts)Because they definitely need to be on that list.
ananda
(35,070 posts)I'm not sure why, but it might have something to do with Google Fiber coming.