List of companies that offer good customer service

I do wish that shops would open earlier and close later. I live in a city centre, and most shops here open around 9 or later and are closed by 5:30.  I'd like to be able to pick up something before work or on the way home. I work outside the city centre, so I can't go during my lunch.

I'm sorry you can't shop after work. I wonder how other working people do it?

I am glad that these retail employees can have a normal life and know they are going to be off and be able to plan things. Based on that I would willingly endure the inconvenience.

I'm in the same camp as the people who want to be left alone when shopping, and just want a competent response to questions or problems.

Sky TV were awful, and whenever I called them over a period of about 3 years I'd get either useless incompetence or snarky arguments about how problems weren't their fault.  They were just terrible, and even when I went to finally dump them for good it took 20 minutes while they desperately tried to make me stay with them.  (Search my posts for "sky" for some good rants - haha.)

We've had Plusnet for broadband & phone for about 4 months, and have thus far been mostly happy with them.  We had a problem where our line speed dropped dramatically and there was a ton of noise on the line, and they were eventually able to resolve it.  It took longer than I'd have liked, but some of that was waiting to see if their efforts were working, and their customer service people were always friendly and helpful on the phone.

I've had an Orange cell phone since arriving in the UK in 2007, and they've always been nice and helpful both in the store and on the phone.

Amazon is excellent.  I can buy from the UK or US site, using a US or UK account, and have my purchase sent to a UK or US address.  They're the only company on Earth (that I know of) that doesn't care where I live, where I'm paying from, and where I want my item sent.  They just take my money and do what I tell them and that's really all I'm looking for.

As jayvee said, the utility companies baffle me.  We moved into our new place in October 2010, initiated a change of gas/electricity supplier immediately, and the process just finished last week.  90 days to switch from one to another is utter madness.  I contrast this with getting electricity put in my name in an apartment in New York City, which took one phone call that lasted 3 minutes.

I get the feeling that in the UK, some of the older companies that used to enjoy a monopoly (gas, power and phone, mostly) and didn't have to try to make customers happy are not as attuned to their customer-facing requirements in the 21st century.

Oh I've some good 'uns to add to the list:

My NHS dentist - I love her!  (see my UP/IA post today) 

I fell in love with Sainsburys again today.  It helped that I went about 8:30 am & the store was almost empty & I had time (and the physical space) to browse without people breathing down my neck, getting in my way, or ramming me with their trolleys.  We don't go to Sainsburys often because we have to drive there, and we can walk to any shops that we need just down the street from where we live.  But Sainsburys has so many cool (and more expensive foodie) products that our little neighbourhood Morrisons doesn't carry.

Riverford Organic Veg - Great service. They tell you where their farms are - one is near to us.  You can go & visit the farms if you want to.  They tell you where each item in the veg (or fruit) box was sourced (UK, Spain, etc).  They also have travelling field kitchens in the warmer months where you can go & watch (and eat) cookery demonstrations.  Great recipes & tips on the website that share how to cook or what to do with different veg, etc.  Love them!  Our delivery even made it through to us on a very snowy day in December, when just about everything else in the area had shut down.

My local butcher. 

I have had very good customer service in the places mentioned, ie John Lewis, Waitrose, Sainsbury's &  local shops, my private dentist as well as my local council! Generally speaking, the areas of customer service that have let me down here have been telephone based delivery  services (hideous experience with Next and Ikea home delivery)and I think that is mainly down to training issues, as another poster pointed out.

I've come across another good customer service experience this week - Streetvan. Minimal time on hold, knowledgeable, autonomous and friendly(not obsequious!)phone service, reasonable prices and convenient locations. It must be based on the same business model as Zipcar in the states, and I had very good experiences with them in NY.

I have worked in customer service and I know what I'm talking about.

Me too. 

Lloyd's TSB - always good customer service.

My Honda dealership.  We bought a certified used car and the battery died this weekend and they were out within 40 minutes. 

Lloyd's TSB - always good customer service.

Really???  And they're #1 on my Horrible Service list.  It's good to know others have had a better experience than mine.
 

My NHS dentist - I love her!

As for NHS dentists, Dr. Robin Maunder in Knaresborough is WONDERFUL!   

We've had Plusnet for broadband & phone for about 4 months, and have thus far been mostly happy with them.  We had a problem where our line speed dropped dramatically and there was a ton of noise on the line, and they were eventually able to resolve it.  It took longer than I'd have liked, but some of that was waiting to see if their efforts were working, and their customer service people were always friendly and helpful on the phone.

My partner works for PlusNet (though not in the call centre, in systems) and would be happy to hear this. Hes been there on and off for over 10 years and very proud of the service they provide.

For myself? The best service Ive received here is at:
Waitrose/John Lewis (theyre one in the same)
My local Sainsburys
Currys - In store service, not phone.
Coca Cola UK (called them about a bottle of classic coke tasting like a combination of Diet coke/Dr Pepper Zero. They sent out a box to send the bottle back - with pre-paid postage. Three days after being returned to them, received £10 in coupons as a thank you/apology)
Amazon
La Quinta Inn via Twitter. Helped me sort out buying my mother a gift card by giving me a us local dial number and email address for customer support
Royal Mail - ordering partners Kindle before Christmas. Complained on twitter and they were able to get me a contact number for the sorting office it was sent to.

Ive had awful service with O2 in store and on the phone. Too long of a rant to post here but luckily I have a 30 day rolling contract that gives me some leverage with them when coming to complain.

I think UK customer service, in general, has improved a bit over the years.  I remember endless encounters with staff in stores, etc. who wouldn't even say hello back to you or acknowledge you in returning your receipt.  It was really strange to have me (ie. the paying customer) get blanked by the staff, and I was the one thanking them!!  lol

My DH and British friends all agree with me (esp. if they visited the US).   

I learned to just take my money were my mouth is and support businesses who have decent/good customer service.  If they want my money, than they should earn it!  The only problem with that, is that in some cases (ie. Royal Mail), you don't have many choices...

My list of consistently good customer service: Sainsbury's (!!), Amazon, Zen Internet, Gap...oh shoot...my mind has gone blank!   

With regards to the Royal Mail, every time I've had to post or collect anything, they've been very nice to me. Waiting in a long queue isn't any fun, but the actual service has always been good.