Tell It To Al

Standing in a very slow-moving line at a McDonald’s at Denver International Airport, I observed and photographed this sign.

Then I suddenly lost my appetite.

After reading the sign, I couldn’t tell if the problem at this store lies with its management or its employees.

Either way, I don’t want to eat from a kitchen where people can be fired at the drop of a hat.

I’d hoped that during a recession that people would be nicer to each other, and that customer service representatives, aiming to hold on to their jobs, would try harder to fix our problems. 

Apparently this is not always happening. In a survey by Jacada, an Atlanta-based company that helps companies improve customer retention efforts via call centers, 43% said they thought customer service has gotten worse in the recession.

Click here to read survey.

And what is the No. 1 reason why people even bother dealing with customer service centers?

Because someone screwed up the bill.

Of those surveyed, 69% say they are less willing to put up with it.

Got a customer dis-service story? Tell It to Al right here.