Just buying a billboard and printing a slogan doesn't make it true.
This afternoon I saw a billboard on the highway that proclaimed that customers were #1 at Wachovia. I almost drove off the road. That's one of the funniest things I've heard in a long time.
I have lost track of the number of times I have failed to get a straight answer from a Wachovia person, and no one will accept the word of any other staff person. They are masters of shifting responsibilty to someone else, however.
If you work at Wachovia and I have inadvertently lumped you in with all the slackers at your bank, I'm sorry. I'd like to think there were some people at the bank who knew what they were doing and related well to the public. I just haven't found any yet.
I think that billboard should come down before someone has a accident.
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The attitude of poor service starts with poor management. People that are pro-active and service oriented get killed and move on or give up.
I agree with you on this one... If you are going to talk the talk, then you need to walk to walk. I have too often found that when someone needs to brag that they are #1, it usually means they aren't. What happened to the old school philosophy where you treat your customers right and they speak volumes for you.
Steve,
I guess there are many bill boards that need to come down (and finally are coming down as this kind of advertising isn't working)! I like your statement "Just printing a slogan doesn't make it true"! Great message!!
Nice point! I probably would have driven off the road, that is definitely a driving hazard, the billboard before it should read "caution ahead."
I don't blame you for almost driving off the road after seeing that...glad you didn't. That takes the cake for that bank. They have no understanding of what customer service is. We were told we would have an answer on a loan within 3 days, max! Needless to say, we didn't and pulled our accounts away from them. You don't do what you say, you don't get the business!
I agree, the billboard should come down. Truth in advertising?
Steve,
You know me pretty well. I would have wrecked! I like Michelle's comment...the billboard before it should read "caution ahead."
Hi Steve,
I've heard many a complaint about Wachovia, and some bolder reports in the news....Very interesting that they're tooting their own horn!
Michael
Gene,
Management ultimately is responsible, but when they don't shoulder it ... :)
Steve
Ryan,
So true. Positive WOM and referrals work. In this case trying to pursuade us of something that obviously isn't true won't work. :)
Steve
Dorie,
Thank you. Very often people will puff themselves a little to create a tagline or advertising message. This is beyond puff, however. :)
Steve
Good blog Steve. The funny thing is that if Wacovia did not toot their own horn... who would?
Michelle,
Be forewarned, you may actually see it in your travels. :)
Steve
Good thing you didn't wreck. I bank with BB&T and usually have good customer service.
Cris,
They definitely have no understanding of what customer realtions are - from what I have experienced- and now from what you and others are sharing. :)
Steve
Karen,
That is funny. I should have taken a picture but I was too stunned to stop and do it. :)
Steve
Michael,
Possibly because no one else will? Still doesn't make it true. :)
Steve
Bill,
You have that one right. I certainly wouldn't - and haven't. :)
Steve
Wendy,
A breath of fresh air to this thread. Thank you. :)
Steve
Steve, it's a little roadside humor, just like the old Burma Shave signs.
Guess I won't do business with Wachovia unless I find that one true gem.
The reason they can do this is people believe the crap and don't check and verify. Most people walk around with blinders on and say OH WELL it can't or doesn't effect me.
John,
I like that. Hadn't thought of it that way. :)
Steve
Teral,
That could take some doing - wouldn't even know where to start. :)
Steve
Charles,
You have a point there. Maybe they think they can manufacture public opinion by a slogan. That will fizzle though when people actually try to work with the bank. :)
Steve
Hi Steve
The businesses with exceptional custom service will thrive that rest will go out of business.
Good luck and success.
Lou Ludwig
Lou,
Wachovia has already gone out of business - they just refuse to go away. :)
Steve
Steve - Great post and your post is so true, anyone can print on a sign or billboard that they are #1. Who would know and if they weren't #1 what is any one going to do about it?
VB
Robert,
It's a little like the college football games where a team is beating their arch-rival for their only win of the year and everyone is waving the "we're number one" sign. :)
Steve
Steve - Yes it is!
Robert,
Thanks. Have a great day and a good week ahead. :)
Steve
Steve - Your post has been Featured at ............
CUSTOMER SERVICE
Robert,
Thank you. Appreciate the feature in your group. :)
Steve