Beware the Buyer

I emailed Comcast recently as they ask to hear from their customers and offer on their website several ways to do so. My request was simple, I thought, it was a question really. Why not offer, like in a grocery store, a healthy choice? A package deal of channels that is healthy for people, particularly children. Starting with PBS and other children's stations and offering the customer the option to select what they would like to watch. I thought it kind of like going to the health food section of the grocery store, sometimes the consumer pays a little more for the produce that was grown in accordance with organic standards but may justify that expense by balancing it with the long term health benefits of limiting the accumulation of pesticides in the body's of your loved ones. (Not to mention savings in health care costs.)

Guess what! I received no response from Comcast. Not one. Not a thank you or even an explanation of why the company can not offer healthy TV to their customers.

I am convinced after having had several unfortunate "customer service" experiences with several corporations that there is no such thing. Businesses in this country is not concerned about the consumer and customer satisfaction. Were they ever, really?

I get particularly worked up when it comes to my children. About a month ago I went to a box store with my kids and while I waited in check out I gave them a couple of dollars to go to the snack bar and get a little something to hold them over till we got home for supper. When I met up with them, I was horrified to find that my 9 year old son had purchased a power drink Slushee! Horrified. Did you know that there is a chemical in those drinks that erodes the enamel on teeth? This is not a simple case of brushing off the sugar to prevent bacteria from collecting thus causing cavities. As I understand it, the chemical literally dissolves the enamel like acid. (Unfortunately, I haven't the chemistry background to explain the process scientifically but I encourage you to look it up or ask your dentist.)

In any case, I complained to the attendant who was very clearly clueless. My complaint: That is an adult drink, I said, you wouldn't put beer out there like you put that power drink now would you? The attendant kindly found the manager who then handed me a card informing me I could share my complaint by calling or writing the customer service department.

AHHHHHHH!

To combat this, I try not to buy from the organizations whose customer service is nothing of the sort. Sadly, my list has gotten rather long and, to be honest, my reasons are not only because of vacant customer service. It is the distinct and unmistakable lack of care. And perhaps the people who work for these corporations haven't the option to work elsewhere, I understand being stuck with a job. Maybe they haven't the education or never were informed of healthy choices. So in that sense I don't fault them. It is the lack of care, lack of empathy and lack of kindness. Carelessness, blatant carelessness. I understand mistakes. I do. But, how can one person look at another, listen to another, read another person's words or comments and not be compelled to care?

I argue that caring is not just good business practice. It is the healthier choice for the person who conveys care and the one who receives it (even Disney understands this...Or, at least, I think it does...)