Who has the worst customer service in Canada?
Any Seinfeld fan remembers that scene from the third season where Jerry and Elaine get stumped by a snooty car rental agent.
You know the one, where – despite Jerry’s calling ahead – the woman informs him they’re out of cars. It leads to old Jerome dropping this beauty: “See, you know how to take the reservation, you just don’t know how to hold the reservation. And that’s really the most important part of the reservation – the holding.”
Anyway, it’s a nice little nugget of pop culture that reflects how poor customer service was (and continues to be) in modern-day commerce. But whose customer service is the worst?
As a contributor to a finance/consumer-related blog, you begin to realize there are certain companies and businesses that draw the ire of readers no matter what the subject.
For instance, Rogers could unveil the cure for cancer tomorrow, but all anyone would want to talk about is how they gouge us each month for cable TV, and if they have to wait one goddamn minute longer on hold to speak to someone about it, they’re going to explode.
It’s a no-win for companies like these. Air Canada, Sears and Bell seem to draw similar fury from pissed-off Canadians.
Of course, in most cases these reputations are deserved, and we shouldn’t feel totally bad about trashing those companies who have trashed us first.
As it happens, the Consumerist today wondered which industry has the worst customer service, a loaded poll that’s garnered the kind of results typical to what we’ve come to expect.
Based on their readers’ feedback, the big losers are still telecom companies and airlines, notching about 32 per cent and 24 per cent, respectively, of negative consumer appreciation. Banks also featured noteworthy disdain: almost 10 per cent of Consumerist readers thought financial institutions had the worst customer service of any industry.
But what if we took this a step further and tried to highlight which Canadian companies – not just industries – boasted the worst customer service in the nation?
Certainly Rogers, Air Canada and Sears get honourable mention here, but which businesses continue to rub you the wrong way? Based on your experience, who has the worst customer service in Canada?
By Jason Buckland, MSN Money
Posted by: margra | Aug 5, 2021 3:23:34 AM
No question Bell is the worst closely followed by HP Canada! Next is Air Canada followed closely by Rogers. Thats what happens when the government allows monopolies. Whos going to compete to keep these bums in check!
Posted by: M | Aug 5, 2021 3:24:06 AM
MTS!!!!
Posted by: Cory | Aug 5, 2021 3:40:16 AM
Superstore.
I asked 3-4 employees where an item was and none of them could tell me. I ended up chasing a staff member down an aisle yelling "Excuse me, EXCUSE ME!!!" as she completely ignored me. The customers in the aisle all turned to see who was shouting. Finally 1/2 way down the aisle she turned around and said she was a cashier getting off her break. After informing me she couldn't help me, I said she could have at least acknowledged me trying to get her attention. Then she said (in a very condescending way) that she hadn't heard me before.
At least the other employees I had talked to were polite and apologized for not being able to help me.
Posted by: Cory | Aug 5, 2021 3:43:57 AM
...and Walmart. I've had floor staff just shrug at questions and walk away from me. I worked in retail for years, and we were trained that if we couldn't answer a customer's question to find someone who could. Beyond that, we were told -even if we knew we were out of an item- to take the customer and show them we were out.
Posted by: joe | Aug 5, 2021 3:52:23 AM
I would have to say any government run organization that is in place to help
the population whether it be financially , legally , or any form of public health and safety issues
seems everyone you speak to from any one of the numerous numbers provided on there Canadian Government website have no idea what there talking about and send you on to the next number until you finally get back to the same spot you began , the same person you started out with in the first call , sending you in a maddening frenzy of miss-information and total frustration forcing you to give up finding such help and go on struggling with the same issues only they can help .
this has happened so many times I can't even count .
.. not making this stuff up people ..
Posted by: wg | Aug 5, 2021 4:10:57 AM
HP CANADA has THE worst customer service I have ever encountered! Not only did they bounce me around from person to person, in one particular phone call I was shockingly insulted numerous times! And when asking for specific information regarding my case, they simply would not give it to me. Dealing with HP, I felt as though they thought I was some kinda dodo that'll just settle if they repeat the same thing over and over...and over again. And the real kicker? All this guff was being thrown at me while my comp was in repairs for the THIRD time, for the exact same problem, while still under waranty. So, in anticipation of having to deal with possible issues that may arise with a company, keep in mind......always save a paper trail, whether it be receipts, emails, etc. Also, keep track of who you speak to and what info they provide you with (i.e identification numbers, policies, etc.) as well as any personally directed statements they may make. If they're recording your conversations, use this as a valuable tool to refer to (if you'd like to make a recording of your own, let them know you're doing it beforehand). Above all, keep your cool...as frustrated as you might be, you'll sound more confident using your collected "evidence" as opposed to wavering emotional outbursts. But if all else fails and you've considered taking legal action, be sure to mention this to the company in question...the mere thought implanted may be just enough. Never simply give in...as a proactive consumer, you'll know when you're entitled to more than whatever bones they throw you.
Posted by: I would have to say Costco Wholesale South Edmonton Location | Aug 5, 2021 4:17:17 AM
The girls at the membership desk are too busy on the phone on personal calls to attend to paid members in line who are 1. wanting to return an item? 2. wanting to renew membership or sign up as a new member!!! 3. finally my favorite doing a inventory check on merchandise.
On two occasions I have patiently waited in line and observed two older women working and it wasn't busy for that time in the morning, but you could tell one of two was on the phone on a personal call as she didn't give anyone in the line up direct eye contact.
The other lady was busy returning items & signing a person up at the same time... As soon as the woman on the phone finished her call she told her co-worker it was her coffee break now and left as if she was going shopping in the store?
I was completely upset that she wouldn't clue in the line up was quite long to call for help perhaps! Some people shopping are on a time schedule and can't be standing in line for 15 minutes over pure ignorance.
The other woman came back about no sooner than 5 minutes with some demo food and gave some to the other woman and informed her she was going now on her break!!!
I believe a couple of us complained to the supervisor on duty at that time, but the one lady seemed to be buddies with her when she stoped her walking back on her break and they both laughed pointing in the direction of where I was standing...
Posted by: cristi | Aug 5, 2021 4:25:19 AM
My worst customer service experience has been Tony Roma's restaurant...not just one specific restaurant - but at least 5 now in 5 different towns. Not sure what the heck management is doing, but 5 different restaurants in the same restaurant chain?? Something is seriously wrong. it's always the same in all restaurants...i've waited for a half hour after being seated for the waiter/ress to come and ask what i'd like to drink (never mind ordering food). I've waited 1 1/2 hours for my food to come (on one occasion there was only 4 tables with people in the restaurant). I once ordered a chicken dish that came with vegetables and rice...i was served without the rice - when i asked what happened they said they ran out of rice and i didn't need it anyway because it's only purpose was to keep the chicken warm. I asked for a discount since i didn't get all of my food and the waitress kept insisting i shouldn't get one because the rice was "only to keep the chicken warm". Tony Roma - i give up. after experiencing you're crappy service at 5 DIFFERENT RESTAURANTS in 5 DIFFERENT TOWNS, I'm not giving you any more chances.
Posted by: Ashley | Aug 5, 2021 4:36:43 AM
ROGERS, and BEST BUY.
Posted by: Al | Aug 5, 2021 4:42:53 AM
By far....... Air Canada. I had booking concerns and it didn't stop at there. Even upon the plane I got nothing but bitchy Quebecois ancient flight attendents...never again will I fly Air Kanuckistan.
I'd rather fly highjacked, pilioted by Al-Quida.
Dear Air canada pres....if you or one of your minions reads this my post, i am a real person not a blogger or a kid pretending to be pissed. There are thousands of people like \me. You need to clean house. First get rid of your relic flight attendants, when you have vericose veins it's because you've worked too long!!!!! retire all ready!!!!
Posted by: Elena Browning | Aug 5, 2021 4:48:57 AM
Bell and Telus definitely. The TTC ticket takers at Union Station are a close second.
Posted by: Satisfied WalMart Employee | Aug 5, 2021 5:11:59 AM
Maybe all of you people complaining about the service at Walmart should try treating the customer service people a little more like equals instead of like servants or your personal slaves; Then you might get treated a little better yourselves.
Posted by: Turquoise | Aug 5, 2021 5:27:12 AM
I've spent half my time in the USA where I am from, and half here in Canada for the past several years, and have immigrated here permanently. So far, my vote for worst customer service, is Sears. Sears Canada in fact lacks any sort of customer service, fails to know almost any of their policies, to know how to do a gift card, and once they did, sent it to the wrong address....twice. Pathetic. Low inventory, zero customer service personnel of any sort available in the store...and the one per 4 departments or so that IS working, is frantically ringing up purchases, with no time for anything else.
In general, however, Vancouver's idea of customer service must be considerably different than that of the US. Grocery store clerks bump and shove past, clerks are rude, refuse to assist, and managers seem to not care. All behaviors that would result in firing in the US. Evidently customer service is a thing of the past here????
Posted by: Sherry | Aug 5, 2021 5:28:08 AM
I'm with the last person who posted a comment. BELL!!!!!!!
Absolutely horrible! Everyone I know just dreads it when they have to call Bell for ANYTHING!
Posted by: Willy | Aug 5, 2021 5:46:54 AM
I agree Bell has the worst customer service, i switched over to Bell in May and nothing but trouble. You can talk to 10 different people and they all give you a different answer. Also when you phone them, your call goes to India, just like Sears. When you deal with Bell keep a record of who you talk to, and their employee #.
Posted by: sophy | Aug 5, 2021 6:03:55 AM
BELL there is no one worse then Bell
Posted by: Suz | Aug 5, 2021 6:22:09 AM
Bell Canada by a long shot!
Posted by: Steve | Aug 5, 2021 6:33:08 AM
I would have to say Home Depot and Bell
Posted by: Dissatisfied WALMART Customer | Aug 5, 2021 6:39:03 AM
Posted by: Satisfied WalMart Employee | Aug 5, 2021 5:11:59 AM
Maybe all of you people complaining about the service at Walmart should try treating the customer service people a little more like equals instead of like servants or your personal slaves; Then you might get treated a little better yourselves.
How can we treat someone like equals when we can't even find you? And when if by chance i do, you don't speak any english?
Posted by: Jenitalia | Aug 5, 2021 6:51:12 AM
BELL! They're sneaky little bastards and will try and screw you ANY chance they get! Then give you the whole run around about trying to cancel their service! Glad I got rid of their sorry ass!