Korean Job Discussion Forums

[ThingsComeAround]

I'm an American, and while we didn't have stellar CS all the time, one could reasonably expect some degree of professionalism from the person on the other end of the line.

Unfortunately, even in these trying times, suddenly it isn't as important to be polite, but to be smarter/angrier/more important than the people they are serving- and that isn't right is it? Isn't the customer always right?

Reason for my post-
Went to Europe a few months back, and I called the airline, they explained to me that in getting an exit seat (I'm a large dude) I would need to book the ticket at the gate, not a second before. But this was after they tried to push the "premium seat" which was selling for 150 Euro. No thanks.
Get to the airport- guess what? Oh, we're sorry. You need to pay for these seats. What? I told them that their company told me that I was offered a free exit seat the day of boarding, should I arrive early enough. At six hours before boarding, that is pretty early!

They relented and gave me the seat.

Flying back, however, it was the same malarkey again. This time, they told me that you can book the seat 30 hours ahead of time. Gee, thanks for that tip. I'm on a flight back to Korea with an overweight male flight attendant passing on my right and a short adjosshi in front, who is reclining...

Next, I call US Air, which is offering the best possible price for a ticket home. She tells me that I can reserve the flight so all I need to do is give her my credit card number. I ask her "This is a reservation- will I be charged?" her response:"Of course!" "What if I need to change the date?" I reply. "Well you just need to pay a fee" she says- almost sounds like she is smiling. "That is not a reservation, but payment" I said. "No, it is a reservation" she responds, getting angry. And she has the nerve to tack on an extra twenty bucks for the ticket just because I talk to her. (personally, I prefer to talk to a human when booking tickets, like to keep people in their jobs.. but her ) I've reserved a flight in the past, no problem. They hold the ticket until a specific date then I have to pay. She never gave that option. Only rudeness!

A few weeks ago, I called the FBI Attache office in Seoul. I ask the girl for details about getting the FBI check done, and she is either lazy, an idiot, or both. I asked her name, she wouldn't say. I asked if I could mail it to them to process, she says no (fair enough). Then I ask where in America to mail it to, seeing as how she was so impatient to get me off the phone. She gives me the FBI website. Okay- you are in a hurry. Well I want some assistance, so I make her wait while my school comp loads it up and have her guide me to the page. Yes I have seen it here (on Dave's). I like to hear a voice in English explain things sometimes. She must have had some "other business" because obviously she got flustered talking with some dinky English teacher. She isn't an agent, she's a secretary. What's her problem?

Can't these people get fired for their incompetence/lack of professionalism? People have been let go for less here in Korea, it seems sad that others with entitlement complexes keep their jobs and treat others... poorly! Any thoughts?

[Underwaterbob]

I agree. The Canadian embassy has one person working from 8:30am to 11:45am for walk ins and you can only make appointments between 1pm and 4:30pm. There's always a line up, they're completely unhelpful and to top it all off they usually require you to fill out forms in triplicate and provide things like witnesses and references, even if you had no idea you needed them beforehand It's also impossible to speak to a person on their phone service, just menu after menu until you get to a pre-recorded message with the information they think you need that you could have just read on their website.

On Korea's side, the nearest immigration office workers have approximately average (for Korea) English skills and approximately three people working at a time to serve the entire province. I have nothing but praise for the immigration office in the Incheon Airport. They can whip off a re-entry visa in a matter of seconds if you're short on time.

[ThingsComeAround]

I've found CS in Korea to be above and beyond that of the US and parts of Europe. Koreans seem to not want to upset their customers. Its just good business practice, in general.

[tatertot]

[tanklor1]

[jvalmer]

CS in Korea is amazing, especially mail service. You're waiting a couple of days to get stuff instead of weeks. I remember a place calling me the next day apologizing that their product would arrive the next day, I got a discount and some extra crap in the box when they delivered a mere 48 hours later.

[redaxe]

I thought the customer service in Korea was for the most part, fantastic. The restaurant ajummas are often surly and the kids working at coffee shops are often very dumb, but at least they have a good attitude and get you whatever you need pretty much right away.

BTW I heard that lonely people in Korea will sometimes call random customer service hotlines just to talk to the girls that answer the phone, because they aren't allowed to hang up on you, so they pretty much have to listen to you and chat with you, and many of them are even required to say "사랑 합니다 고객님!" ("I love you, customer!")

[optik404]

The customer is always right is dead since people like to exploit it

[ThingsComeAround]

The only times I've been denied a product or the service is when the other person couldn't speak English. Even then, they at least give the impression of trying to please.

In America, I usually get the 'you're not my boss' schtick because some genius at their company hides the complaint section of their company.

[Young FRANKenstein]

[Pa Jan Jo A Hamnida]

In America, there is still a degree of pride working in the service industry. Sadly, in Canada such work is considered beneath the people who are employed in it. Which leads to lousy, contemptible experiences when one tries to purchase things. Antagonstic, bitter, envious and directionless folk are a cancer.

[Caffeinated]

[southernman]

I once had a problem in my apartment. That needed a Plumber to fix it.

I told my Directors wife at 6.30 PM. She then had to ring my Apartment owner, who had to ring a plumber.

I had a mate crashing on my sofa between contracts. He rang me up at 7.30 the same night to say the Plumber was there and fixing my Toilet.

I couldn't believe it... and all for free Maybe not real CS as such. But when I've needed tradesmen or professional help for my scooter ( i.e broken off key in ignition and wouldn't start) the service has always been fast, efficient and 2 out of 3 times free. The other time I paid 10 000 Won.

I going to be sorely disapointed and severley out of pocket when I go back home and have the same troubles

As for CS, I think, Internationally Korea stands up very well against other places I've been, in my experience anyway. You are always going to get the occassional bored teenager or uninterested sevice person who frankly doesn't like being interupted by customers.

Because they have more important things to do e.g txting, polishing their nails or even just staring into space

[maingman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLm2FyvDF4w

[maingman]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JLm2FyvDF4w