Company: Unknown

Company: Unknown
Business: Extended Car Insurance

I get a call, out of the blue, in the middle of working on a project... a nice-sounding young lady says that my 2013 Hyundai Elantra's warranty is running out and they can provide extended warranty.

First, it's a 2012 Elantra. Second, my warranty is for 10 years or 100k miles, of which I've managed to rack up over 60k miles, but certainly nowhere near the limit.

Before I can say anything - she proceeds that they can get me a quote for what it'll cost and... again, before I can say anything, she'll connect me with the rep who'll give me the details.

Then she drops a bomb, asking me what my name is. I told her that I'm working, don't have time for background checks and if she can quickly get me the quote - fine, otherwise we're done. Following her silly script, she proceeds to ask me if another time would be better. I honestly told her that it's an unknown, since I have a very fluid schedule, again reiterating that if she wants to get me the guy/quote whatever... quickly, we can all get on with the rest of our day.

She politely thanked me and... hung up.

The moral - being nice isn't enough. Following a script is dumb and useless and this approach is a sure way to lose business. I wasn't objecting to getting a quote, I was totally opposed to them wasting my time with a sales pitch, as if that sales pitch would have an ounce of added value to me.

Company: UPS

Company: UPS 
Business: Shipping

I needed to send back few pairs of shoes I ordered at Zappos. I take the box, which was opened, with label printed on a sheet of paper (not affixed anywhere) and just hand it to UPS Store employee. He asks me if I needed a receipt, I told him I didn't... and that was that!

Literally in and out in less than a minute, spending $0, time and energy - thanks to immense customer-friendly approach of Zappos/Amazon & the UPS Store.

Now a prior experience with USPS, and clear reasons why a) I'd never do it there again and b) why they constantly lose money and customers. I walk in and they tell me the box needs to be closed and taped by me, asking me if I have the tape. Normally, I don't carry packaging tape, I carry wallet, I carry keys, but I do NOT carry packaging tape, USPS, and I can't imagine practically anyone else does either. Also, it's YOUR job to package & ship stuff, that's why I decided to walk into your establishment!

Anyway, after buying the silly tape for $3.50 or so, and using 1% of it on my box (the other 99% are still collecting dust somewhere in my garage, likely never to be used again)... I leave irritated, after spending time and money I didn't want to spend.

I'm MORE than happy to spend a bit more at UPS Store, MORE than happy, to get the kind of service they provide and as for USPS... that's the place I'm avoiding at all costs...