The Discontent Consumer

I have recently fallen prey to a spell of very bad customer service. And unfortunately any person living in the UK will tell you that there is nothing surprising in it. In this country people get screwed over and over again and they are so used to it, they will not complain. But to the point:

The Royal Mail

For months now we have been receiving mail that was not for us. The address sounded similar to ours but was not the same. I mentioned it to our postman a number of times and was reassured that it would not happen again. Obviously it did. I was considering filing a complaint with Royal Mail but my assumptions about institutions of this kind are rather negative so I didn’t feel there was any point. But what happened next was too bitter to swallow, as they say. Namely a 2nd REMAINDER was left at my door about a package that was waiting for me at the post. There was no notice of any kind in the first place, but I did get a reminder. What a pity that I had by the time received reimbursement from Amazon for the package that had been ordered but never arrived.

NHS System or Plan Your Illness in Advance

I fall ill. Nothing serious but because it was a reoccurring event and I needed a sick note for my employer I decided to register with my local GP and book a visit with the good doctor. However NHS has devised a system that would only treat you for illnesses that you had planned in advance. Upon arrival at the surgery I was told that I can register but I will not be seen by any doctor for at least a week because a new patient health check has to be performed. I invited them to do just that but was told that the check does not involve me seeing a doctor. I was also advised to visit a walk-in center if I need to see a doctor urgently.

Once I reached the walk-in center it turned out that it was a nurse-led unit so no sick notes could be issued. Nevertheless I waited patiently to be seen by someone and advised as to my health problems. The nurse, who eventually called my name, was not interested in what I had to say. She was clearly annoyed with me wasting her valuable time for a simple cold and her advise was : register with the GP, drink a lot of fluids, take ibuprofen. That’s a health care for you!

Amtrak

And last but not least is my adventure with Amtrak, not yet concluded. I ordered a package (an expensive one) from BT shop and BT sent it with Amtrak. Two days into the process I decided to check the smart tracking system that Amtrak is providing for its customers. To my surprise the package has evidently been delivered and signed for by some SORAYA. I don't think I need to explain to anyone that I have not seen the package so far, that I am not Soraya and that I don't know anyone with this name. To make the matters worse I spent approximately two and a half hours (150 minutes) in total on hold, trying to reach Amtrak and solve the problem. Sadly, to no avail. I will continue calling on Monday...