Business needs a wake-up

‘Disgruntled’ writes:-

THE level of service in Vryheid has reached dismal levels. This past year, my family had a bar made by [a local company], and only now, about eight months later, is it actually properly operational.

All that had to be made was a base for three wine barrels to stand on, and a counter to cover them. Yet when it first arrived, the counter top had a crack along the side, and the base was not flat so the whole bar wobbled as soon as you put any pressure on it.

After about three months, the bar was then collected to be repaired. Only this past week was it eventually returned, after countless unanswered phone calls (I don’t see much reason for having a business card if one is to ignore all calls from clients), and while it is sturdy now and without the crack, there are simple finishing details which were clearly rushed or overlooked – details which I learnt not to leave out when I did woodwork in Grade 4, such as the joints between the pieces not being sanded smooth, and the areas around holes which were drilled also not being sanded.

I’ve been trying to contact the owner, and have left countless messages at his office asking for one simple thing – an apology to my parents for this appalling service, and the disrespect shown by ignoring calls. Seeing add my endeavours were fruitless, I felt my last resort was to warn others so that they do not fall in the same boat as we did.

I may only be a student and have not entered the business world just yet, but I do know that simple respect for your clients goes a long way, and I will not tolerate having my parents disrespected so, and treated as though their support, albeit merely a bar, means absolutely nothing.

It’s time that this town caught a wake up and started being more conscious of all clients – not just the big ones, and that businesses (not just the one mentioned above), start working on their service to clients.