This is a Perfect Illustration of my point…
In my recent item, called “Why I’ll never use Fandango again!“, there is a new response, as of yesterday…
This last comment illustrates, and proves, exactly what I was explaining in my article above…
The company itself responded…
as the second reply, in fact.
Every company “monitors the web”…
They Google their own company names… to see what is being said about them.
No company wants bad publicity.
Especially if they have heard people complaining about them on the web before…
The point is… If you have a complaint about a company, and you’ve been unable to get total resolution to your problem… Or, even if they have resolved it, but you have concerns that their bad practices were intentional… Or, at least, “systematic”…
In other words, if you are worried that thousands or millions of other people are going to get the shaft too…
Post your comments about that company in your blog.
Thousands of people will read them. People do google searches for company names and product names before they buy…
But, even more powerful, the companies themselves google search for their own company & product names… And THEY will read what you write. And that could change their entire policy…
And THAT can change the world…
One Word of Caution
Make certain that what you say is factual. Lying is not legal… when it is defamation. It could be slander or libel.
If you’re not absolutely certain about something — like the company’s intentions (how could you be certain of that?!) — make it into a question rather than a statement. For example, “Does this company have this system in place to INTENTIONALLY cheat every customer? You tell me.”
Be fair. No one appreciates the arguments of a complainer. If you bought something with a non-refundable policy, and you were CLEARLY informed that it was non-refundable before you bought it… And, now, you’ve simply changed your mind… Let it go! It was YOUR mistake, no one else’s.
You, equipped with your computer keyboard and the internet, have more personal power as a Consumer Advocate than you ever realized!
Be sure to also post the GOOD things too… by the way…
We wanna hear about how FABULOUS some place was too…
For example, our waiter last night at Becco on 46th Street, in New York City’s Theater District, was one of the best waiters we’ve ever seen! He’s so attentive and considerate and full of smiles, and even conversation — with seemingly a hundred diners at once… An amazing talent, this guy has… He’s a true pro at the art of customer service. His name is Geronimo. Ask for him.
I think they understand that you can reach a lot of people very quickly over the internet. The Consumerist is one of my favorite sites for this; it is constantly chronicling who is screwing over who and who happens to be providing excellent service.
Now that I think about it, your entry actually did form my opinion about Fandango. Having never used it before, and having read your entry, I had subconsciously concluded to never use Fandango, or keep it at the bottom of my list, or if I ever do purchase something from them be highly aware that something can go wrong. I suppose I’m the kind of impressionable non-customer that Fandango would be worried about never having.
Comment by Eleo — September 23, 2007 @ 4:21 am |