Friday, October 07, 2005 at 2:49 PM

I'm boycotting Panasonic. Period.

Nothing wrong with the camera. I like the camera, simple enough for me. It's their service that pissed me off.
  1. I called the only helpline provided on the warranty card. I checked their website for more phonelines in case this number isn't the correct one that I should call. Found that this number is the most appropriate one out of all 3. I called and told them I'm experiencing problems connecting my PC and camera. Their program hangs on me everytime I clicked on the 'Check memory card' button. This is what happened next. The girl on the other side of the phone gave me 2 numbers to call. I called the first one and repeated my problem. The girl who answered told me this isn't the correct line to dial and asked who forwarded me the number. I think she's going to investigate the Customer Helpdesk and lash out at that girl who gave me the wrong numbers. Let's just hope that girl can get away, alright... After that, this 2nd girl gave me yet another number to call. Then comes the 2nd problem.
  2. This number is the right one. But why is it I had this feeling that the guy on the line wanted to hang up asap? I can't feel much sincerity from his voice that says he wishes to help a customer solve the problem. Yes, I admit I don't know my computer well enough. But how am I suppose to know what programs came with the computer when I got the computer 2nd hand? It's alright if he can't help me, but I hope to hear a more sincere voice. Service DNA, please.

These events reflect 2 things:

  1. Their Customer Helpdesk staff do not know their stuff very well. Not well enough to give me a correct number. I believe it may be a minority only, as I always want to believe in the good things rather than the bad. Call me self-deceiving or optimistic. Whichever.
  2. They need to reflect on their service and attitude. Alright, perhaps the people I happened to get, happened to have a bad day. I understand that working is tough work, especially on such days. The theory part of working skills says that as a part of the service line, we should always keep anything from affecting our work, as much as possible. It's hard, but we all have to learn, don't we? I'm sure many customers don't mind getting little help in the end, but what they wish to receive, is a pleasant experience with the company. And you can say I didn't.

Maybe God wants me to understand that working is no child's play, that's why I shuddered at the thought when Mabel warned us against certain actions which may result in suspension of her business. It just takes a very minute action that nobody thought of as significant, to ruin a business completely. Honestly, I'm really afraid I will make a blunder when I start work after A-level. Small mistakes are alright, coz' we will learn from them. Sure, we learn more with the grave mistakes probably, but that is no joke. Not at the stake of a business. When I decided to work at Settlers, I set my mind on helping the cafe fluorish. If the cafe suffers any loss, big or small, due to me, I know I will feel like even my death cannot atone my mistakes. And I'll feel all the more terrible, guilty and yes, feel like killing myself. Maybe not so much if the employer isn't someone I know. Now Settlers seem like a family business kind of thing, it's like killing my baby with my own hands if I do something seriously wrong. Of coz' I won't go and kill myself really, but the mental torment will really be too much to bear.

One thing I can learn from today's lesson though. Put all those quality traits required in the service line into good use when I start work. That day the 4 of us trainees gave 8 traits and we have to practise what we preached. I know I may not be able to adapt very well initially, coz' I'm not outspoken nor outgoing, and worse, a little anti-social. Ok, just leave it at I don't like interacting with total strangers. I only talk to those whom I know quite well. Yes, it's ironic coz' friendship is built only when we start interacting with strangers. Friends are strangers to begin with. But when I try to picture myself putting a good performance at the cafe, I really feel happy. Tough as it may be, I will still try to learn as much as I can and get a dose of being in the service line. I know it's going to be an enriching and beneficial experience, and I'm looking forward to it.

rhapsody in blue.