Are you British peeps really so demanding?

[christophe]

Hey, I know there are a lot of British around here and I have a little question. I don’t want to offend someone but.
I work at this furniture factory and we export everywhere around the world. It happens a lot people send something back because there’s something wrong with it.
But 50% of what goes to Brittan comes back, and all for some stupid reasons.
We had British businessmen coming over to inspect the way we construct the furniture and every week we still have tons of complaints.
I was wondering if it’s really a fact people over there complain so mush.

[emilystrange]

we're pretty bad at complaining, i thought...

[christophe]

Maybe that’s it.

[Thrash Harry]

I think something got lost in translation there. I believe Ms Strange means we British generally don't complain even when we know we should.

[christophe]

I think something got lost in translation there. I believe Ms Strange means we British generally don't complain even when we know we should.

oeps
strange, I allways thought you guys where the first to complain.

[Thrash Harry]

and all for some stupid reasons.

Too many chips?

[Purple Light]

I totally agree with Harry on this one, as a general rule 'we' are so quiet & hate to rock the boat in most situations.
I don't think half of the UK even realises they have a voice!

U should try dealing with Greek people every week. THEY complain!!!

[christophe]

Here take a look yourself maybe you own a table I made.
http://www.mintjens.be/
I really chould get my english tuned up.

[Purple Light]

Here take a look yourself maybe you own a table I made.
http://www.mintjens.be/
I really chould get my english tuned up.

Nice little shameless plug there christophe!
U on commission or something!?

[christophe]

no and infact I would advise not to buy from them.
when I'll have my own company 'then' I'll post even more plug.....

[Almiche V]

I think something got lost in translation there. I believe Ms Strange means we British generally don't complain even when we know we should.

oeps
strange, I allways thought you guys where the first to complain.

I don't know about complaining. Moaning though - top notch!

"And if you complain you might as well not bother. And when have we had a nice day.........?"

[Purple Light]

no and infact I would advise not to buy from them.
when I'll have my own company 'then' I'll post even more plug.....

[Gary]

Having worked in customer service since i was 16 id say the british are quickly becoming a nation of whingers.. and yes i work for Argos and yes we sell second hand goods.. but its not out fault.. honet guvnor..

[smiscandlon]

I'm the supervisor of a complaint-handling department in a 'major UK bank' (think of adverts with an annoying speccy geezer dancing badly and singing about giving you 'Xtra').

In my experience customers these days are more and more willing to complain about things, whether justified or not, and this is being encouraged as our culture becomes more 'American'.

I do think, though, that British consumers are less likely to be confrontational - e.g. reluctant to complain by phone or in person, but quite happy to write long, scathing letters. The Brits are, after all, the masters of sarcasm and irony.

Everyone should have the right to complain if they receive shoddy service, damaged goods or whatever, but what is more disturbing is the incidence of people who seek compensation for the 'stress and anguish' they have been caused.

The 'compensation culture' we are developing is being demonstrated in so many aspects of society.

"Have you suffered an accident or injury at work....."

[kafka]

I love complaining, personally. Do it whenever possible. Mainly because most people are useless gits who don't make any effort. It's far worse in America than in Blighty, though...

[trappist]

"Have you suffered an accident or injury at work....."

Yes I have - groin strain...

[smiscandlon]

"Have you suffered an accident or injury at work....."

Yes I have - groin strain...

Tee hee!



(Umm, I assume you were being saucy and haven't actually suffered a work-related groin injury. If so I'm sorry for laughing and I hope it gets better soon. )

[Thrash Harry]

If so I'm sorry for laughing and I hope it gets better soon.

I don't think anyone's started suing for forum abuse yet. Or have they? Sh!t. Better watch myself.

[Mrs. Snowey]

I do think, though, that British consumers are less likely to be confrontational - e.g. reluctant to complain by phone or in person, but quite happy to write long, scathing letters. The Brits are, after all, the masters of sarcasm and irony.

Erm, how did you open my"complaints" folder on me computer?

However, I love complaining - the bigger the company, the better, makes them feel wanted

[Thrash Harry]

Here take a look yourself maybe you own a table I made.
http://www.mintjens.be/.

I can see where you're going wrong, Christophe. Lose the Made In Belgium stamp and replace it with Handmade In Italy. You should then be able to double your prices and halve your complaints.

I really chould get my english tuned up.

Mais non, mon ami. Your English is much better than my French or Italian, and I've got a degree in them, allegedly. Unfortunately, your willingness to learn our language only reinforces our belief that we are still a world power and that you are very fortunate we deign you with our presence at the European table. This is beef, not horse meat, isn't it?

[andymackem]

We have a reputation for muttering darkly and not doing anything much about it, rather than going and demanding to speak to the manager.

But a well-worked complaint can be great fun. I particularly enjoy the way phrases like "staggering professional ineptitude" can be deployed at clueless morons.

Best of all, it leaves them whimpering like a spoilt child who's just been told "no!", and they can't complain because it's not abusive or offensive.

I must confess that I did once disappoint myself while complaining. There had been several problems in a flat I was renting, and one of the power socket housings had been damaged. It wasn't actually dangerous unless you tried to stick your fingers through the crack, but since I had nine genuine concerns I needed something to round off the list.

To my eternal shame I hypothesised about the potentially fatal consequences had the property (which was family-sized) been let to someone with a young child or inquisitive toddler.

Now I'm waiting for an advert promising me compensation if I can imagine a vaguely plausible way in which I might have been injured by someone else's negligence: no pain, no real blame, but hopefully still a claim.

Or maybe I could claim against my subconscious instead, for emotional distress?

Or maybe I should stop talking bollocks and go to bed.

[Hojyuu-obi]

I really chould get my english tuned up.

Mais non, mon ami. Your English is much better than my French or Italian, and I've got a degree in them, allegedly. Unfortunately, your willingness to learn our language only reinforces our belief that we are still a world power and that you are very fortunate we deign you with our presence at the European table. This is beef, not horse meat, isn't it?

Oh my.

[James Blast]

Why don't you all just deliver a top notch, on deadline, what you asked for service like I do?

<ducks the incoming>

You'll still get paid less than your worth and treated like a deviant out to subvert the system.

[Thrash Harry]

Oh my.

My point, exactly.

[Thrash Harry]

You'll still get paid less than your worth and treated like a deviant out to subvert the system.

But only cos you let them.