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Office Depot Employees Need Customer Service Training

Posted Fri June 27, 2008 12:00 pm, by Jennifer M. written to Office Depot, Inc.

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I am furious with the way I was treated at the Gonzales Office Depot #697 today. I patiently waited for 40 minutes with a 4 month old baby and 3 year old child to fax a rebate to Sprint and purchase a desk calendar. There was only one person in line in front of me who needed to mail a package. It took FORTY minutes to help this man, leave the counter twice to retrieve various items from the store, and to pack and repack this item. There more than three other employees with no one to help and the assistant manager was walking around. At no time did anyone else come over to assist other customers.

Then when it was finally my turn, and I have been holding the baby who was more than ready for a nap and entertain my three year old ready to climb out of the buggy, I had written the wrong fax number - it was the phone number instead. I was told I have to get the right number and come back. I asked if she could call the number and get the right fax number and I was told No, that would take too long because you have to listen to the automated response and press a bunch of numbers.

She offered no additional service and I am sure that there is access to the internet somewhere at Office Depot and I am pretty sure that it would take a simple search to locate Sprint's rebate number. NOBODY helped me. I had waited for 40 minutes for nothing. I am a star teacher at Office Depot and have purchased teaching supplies, computers, paper, and many other items. I can honestly say at this time I will NEVER set foot in Office Depot again.

Train their employees at this branch about CUSTOMER SERVICE and how to appropriately assist someone. I would also like some form of compensation for the effort to get out with two small children and drive 10 miles out of my way to only wait for 40 minutes and drive back home. A gift card would be nice I will be changing schools this year and having to set up a new classroom for more than 160 students versus the 60 I used to teach.


Reply



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by officedepottad Posted Sat June 20, 2009 @ 1:28 PM

Wow! Being a ex OD employee I can tell you, the store staff does not
want to step foot into the copy center. It is a department they
consider diseased. I am suprised to hear there was three employees in
there to begin with. Usually it is staffed with one employee who works
8-10 hours without a break.

When you are working with one customer that is exactly that the one
customer you are giving your undivided attention to, they do infact
pay your paycheck. Yes, it does take some time to pack a package and
have is to ups's packing guidelines. This is a service the customer
pays for on top of the price they also pay for the packing supplies,
so yes, they deserve the 40 minutes it took to complete the
transaction.

There is no internet avaliable to the customer and limited sites
employees can go to. Employees are disciplined up to termination if
these policies are not met.

As for the employee not calling for you to verify the fax number you
provided, I personally would have called the number to get the correct
fax number for you, and yes the employee's explaination for why they
couldnt seems absurd, it does boil down to the fact it is your
responcibilty to provide accurate information for the employee to
provide you with the finished service.

If you were so upset I wouldnt have left until speeking with
management. Usually if you complain loud enough you will get your way
with Office Depot. From your comment you deserve a gift card it sounds
to me like you are a pro with this behavior, why this time you didnt
use it to your advantage is beyond me???

In close I feel sorry for your students and children for that matter.
You sound like a very impatient and spiteful person, not traits I
typically like to see in teachers and parents!

Reply
by Celleri k. Posted Thu July 3, 2008 @ 2:55 PM

I never cease to be amazed at the total lack of respect people have
for customer service agents. They are not somehow beneath you because
they work where you shop!

That woman spent the same 40 minutes you did, helping some gentleman
whose problems, while time-consuming, were within her power and
responsibility to help, and she probably felt as frustrated as you
did.

It is not her responsibility to make sure that you have all your
necessary information. As a teacher, you should know that, and how
difficult would it have been for you to call the number yourself?
Moreover, I can almost promise you that Office Depot doesn't have
internet use for its employees.

Asking for compensation because you were mildly inconvenienced due to
your own mistake, just because you had two small children and actually
had to wait your turn in line, is just unreasonable.

Reply


You hit the nail on the head by Teresa B. Sat July 5, 2008 @ 8:15 PM

by dulynoted Posted Tue July 1, 2008 @ 3:10 PM

With two kids, not enough employees to get waited on, apparently
standing in line for 40 minutes...I would have NEVER waited that long
in line for anything under those circumstances.

There are always other options out there for faxing...libraries, most
convenient type stores offer this service and many print shops. Even
the your local city hall/civic center may have a small fee for faxing
for its residents.

While they could improve on how to staff employees, its truly amazing
that you expect to be compensated for something that was your fault as
much as theirs. Being a teacher you should understand the importance
of reviewing a form/letter before its sent.
You could have re-checked the fax number before getting into line
instead of assuming that they should call the phone number to get the
fax number.





Reply

by Ticia Posted Sat June 28, 2008 @ 4:15 PM

If the wait was too long why not use one a self-service machines. They
have them at both Office Depot and Staples where I live and they have
instructions printed very clearly attached to them.

Oh, but then in second paragraph you mention how they should call your
company and fix your mistake.

Now I know. You are the type who G-- forbid has to do anything while
in store, I mean you're there to pay their (notice my correct usage of
them :) ) salary so why should you do anything.

Reply


Self Serve... by Just Brenda Sat June 28, 2008 @ 7:33 PM

well guess i'm an A by Ticia Sat June 28, 2008 @ 9:13 PM


Pepsi Cona by Donno Sat June 28, 2008 @ 11:20 PM

pepsi cona by Ticia Sun June 29, 2008 @ 1:58 AM


That's why I didn't know about it. I've never experienced test marketing. by Donno Sun June 29, 2008 @ 2:13 PM


I see your point, Brenda by BellaSera Sun June 29, 2008 @ 10:23 AM


I think by Just Brenda Sun June 29, 2008 @ 11:08 AM

Get your facts before making assumptions by jmorrill Tue July 1, 2008 @ 1:18 PM


I guess you are one of the lucky ones... by dulynoted Wed July 2, 2008 @ 4:28 PM


Re: Office Depot Employees Need Customer Service Training by Beeracuda Sat June 28, 2008 @ 9:47 AM


The lure of a freebie, perhaps? by Donno Sat June 28, 2008 @ 12:23 PM

Customer Service is key by jmorrill Tue July 1, 2008 @ 1:27 PM


Having children wit you IS NOT AN EXCEPTION by RedheadwGlasses Tue July 1, 2008 @ 1:59 PM


Thank you! by Beeracuda Wed July 2, 2008 @ 6:33 PM


Sense of entitlement indeed. by BellaSera Thu July 3, 2008 @ 2:05 PM

by Harleycat (aka Usual Suspect #2) Posted Tue July 1, 2008 @ 3:39 PM

that you had your children with you and you should not receive special
treatment because they are with you. If someone waited on you before
me just because you had kids with you, they would get quite an earful
from me!

Reply


Closes at 5PM? by Harleycat (aka Usual Suspect #2) Tue July 1, 2008 @ 3:45 PM

Amen by Jessica P. Wed July 2, 2008 @ 2:45 AM


UGH!! by Beeracuda Wed July 2, 2008 @ 6:27 PM

True by Jessica P. Wed August 6, 2008 @ 2:13 AM

by BellaSera Posted Fri June 27, 2008 @ 4:30 PM

Jennifer, the first paragraph of your letter may be entirely valid.
I'm not sure what the reason for the delay with the other customer
was, but it seems that the assistant manager could've helped out,
particularly when he/she noticed the other customer was taking far too
long.

But as for the rest of the complaint, I don't see how this is Office
Depot's fault.

Reply

I don't know by Marty5223 Fri June 27, 2008 @ 4:37 PM


I have never seen someone come from the retail floor by Bill R. Fri June 27, 2008 @ 4:53 PM


Yes, by Just Brenda Fri June 27, 2008 @ 5:33 PM


My Staples by Donno Fri June 27, 2008 @ 5:43 PM

Thanks for the info by Marty5223 Fri June 27, 2008 @ 6:11 PM


I worked in the shoe department of a local dept. store. by BellaSera Fri June 27, 2008 @ 8:38 PM

Yeah by Marty5223 Sat June 28, 2008 @ 7:49 AM

by Marty5223 Posted Fri June 27, 2008 @ 3:59 PM

That wait sounds like the USPS. Some customers think that once they
get to the counter they can be counter hogs for an hour. I watched in
dismay a few months ago at my local post office while three people
kept having the clerks figure and refigure the cheapest possible
method of shipping. I heard every method numerous times and believe
me the difference was not even that much. This went on for at least
10 minutes. The clerks really could do nothing to speed these
customers up.

I began to look for the hidden camera. I thought this can't be real!


Finally I had enough and said EXCUSE ME your turns are over. Everyone
clapped! There was at least 20 people in line and they all wanted to
say what I said and supported my outburst with applause.

I have noticed that lack of help in retail is possibly a sign of hard
retail times, that these stores don't have much staff in them. I had
to wait to pay for a couple of copies last week behind 10 people at
one of their stores. The clerk moved pretty fast, but still was not a
line I wished to wait in to pay for 2 single copies.

Just curious could you not of called on a cell phone and got the
number instead of the clerk?




Reply

reply by jmorrill Tue July 1, 2008 @ 1:22 PM

Glad you at least tried by Marty5223 Tue July 8, 2008 @ 12:28 PM

by Harleycat (aka Usual Suspect #2) Posted Fri June 27, 2008 @ 3:34 PM

You'll never step foot in Office Depot again but wait, you will if you
get a gift card. How do you plan on using it if you won't go there?

I really can't understand how people, who have shopped at a store or
dined at a restaurant many times in the past with no problem, will
swear off a store based on one bad experience.

Somebody did help you, you were not prepared. You get an F on the
project.

Reply

by Donno Posted Fri June 27, 2008 @ 2:00 PM

Why do you need or want a gift card for Office Depot if you will never
set foot in Office Depot? "I can honestly say at this time I will
NEVER set foot in Office Depot again." Oh, but "A gift card would be
nice..." so you can set up your new classroom. Blast the way the
store is run, say you will never come back, and then ask for a gift
card.

Does the fact you towed your children to Office Depot make you any
more or less deserving of service? Does it determine whether you
deserve any "compensation" for being poorly prepared? No.

This whole thing occurred because of an error on your part.


Reply


by Bill R. Posted Fri June 27, 2008 @ 1:55 PM

Jennifer,
Once your wait got too long you should have asked for a manager.
Not having the correct FAX number and their not allowing customers to
use their phones is one you for your part and the company for sticking
to their policy.
Your final paragraph coliciting compensation for the effort, the drive
and the wait as well as a Gift Card is worth a chuckle or two
considering that you stated you will NEVER set foot in Office Depot
again.
Next time...get a Manager.
BillR.

Reply

by Eddie M. Posted Fri June 27, 2008 @ 1:53 PM

So you are mad because YOU weren't prepared with the correct info.
This is not Office Deports job to try and find the correct number for
you.

As a teacher, I am sure that if a student came to you unprepared, they
would have to suffer consequences of that action (or inaction) just
like you did.

"I can honestly say at this time I will NEVER set foot in Office Depot
again."...."A gift card would be nice I will be changing schools this
year and having to set up a new classroom for more than 160 students
versus the 60 I used to teach."

Why in would you want a gift card for a store your NEVER going to
again?

I would agree having t wait 40 minutes while other associates are
walking around is ridiculous, butat any time did you ask for help?

Reply


As a teacher, I thought the exact same thing by Donno Fri June 27, 2008 @ 2:04 PM


I agree by Eddie M. Fri June 27, 2008 @ 2:45 PM




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