Comments on: DesiDeals.net

By: Janie Graham

Janie Graham — Thu, 27 Oct 2011 14:27:49 +0000

I agree that in order to make money (or keep from losing it), one of the best things to do is check out deals. I’m really into crafting myself and I always am looking forward to the big 50% off day when I can get all my supplies. http://www.howtomakebigbucksonline.com is really helpful in finding these deals. However, you’re right. It stinks when there is bad customer service and I’ve experienced enough of that to wonder if deals are worth it.

By: Roger McClannen

Roger McClannen — Fri, 12 Jan 2007 19:59:28 +0000

If you like deal sites like Woot, you might like mine. We list over 50 deal-of-the-day sites, so there are probably some you haven’t heard of. The site is:

http://www.froomb.com

Hope you like it!

By: Sajit

Sajit — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 04:24:12 +0000

Good news, it seems United, because of the press that Consumerist was able to garner, has agreed to rectify the situation.

UAL's Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer, who has made an appology and has promply agreed to resolve this matter. (link)

By: Roonie

Roonie — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 23:52:46 +0000

That is HEARTBREAKING! What the…? I don’t understand how that sort of injustice could continue! Let’s do something – let’s start a complaint site or something! I’m not desi (I’m honorary, thank you very much!) but I am really, really infuriated when good, honest people get cheated out of their hard-earned money.

I’ve been watching too much Che Guevara and pre-evil Fidel Castro stuff lately.

By: Neale

Neale — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 23:47:08 +0000

Returning from my last trip to India, I had an awful experience at Frankfurt. Missed the Luftahnsa connection to L.A., was re-routed via Paris , missed the Air France connection to L.A. Whose bluddy fault? Long story short, I got reimbursed from my night’s stay in Paris, all by filling in a on-line form at Lufthanssa’s website.

Another thing that struck me is the fact that being an American citizen is a liability. Because, the airlines can re-route you more creatively , but not necessarily efficiently.

By: tamasha

tamasha — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 21:29:30 +0000

Cicatrix, upon reading your story, my first reaction was, "Well, we talking about Charles De Gaulle Airport (and Air France)...."

Yeah, that's what I was going to say. I avoid CDG at all costs for transfers.

Side note: Alitalia flys to the motherland via Milan, where you can pick up some delicious parmigiano at Malpensa.

Also, I'm very curious as to what Ben & Jerry's considers a month's worth of ice cream to be...

By: Saira

Saira — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 19:46:16 +0000

I agree with Sajit, customer service is a reflection of the company not of the person handling the complaint. I don't go easier or harder on my desi students because I may assume they have language barriers, generational issues, etc. They, too, have jobs while in school, but so do my single mom students, Hispanic students, and everyone else in between.

I should have also pointed out that I have also had great customer service from reps, who make the changes needed as they feel appropriate. For these, I still ask to speak to their manager and commend their professionalism with handling my tirades, as my commendation will also help for their performance reviews and raises. This is just as important for the company to see. I have even gone to corporate commending an employee at Trader Joe's, who handled a situation to my best satisfaction, even though it cost them $130 in product. But, corporate now knows why I am a customer for life, not for the resolution.

By: Sajit

Sajit — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 19:19:10 +0000

Go easy on the "evil" customer service reps giving you the runaround. They are all desis like us, working the graveyard shift in Bangalore or Gurgaon, earning Rs. 12,000 (=approx $265/month), supporting a family and probably old parents and younger siblings as well.

No one should get a free pass just because they are/are not desi. Just as good customer service should be commended, poor customer service should also be pointed out and rectified. In Mahesh's case, the airline dropped the ball. Mahesh, upon the written instructions of United Airlines went to an actual airport where he was assured that the tickets had been changed, and that everything would be ok regarding the travel of his parents. His family in Omaha went to the airport to reconfirm that all was okay with their flights as well. I couldn't care less about the race, sex, ethnic origin etc. of the customer service representative, as long as the service is good.

By: Floridian

Floridian — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 18:51:57 +0000

Go easy on the "evil" customer service reps giving you the runaround. They are all desis like us, working the graveyard shift in Bangalore or Gurgaon, earning Rs. 12,000 (=approx $265/month), supporting a family and probably old parents and younger siblings as well.

Yup, corporate is the way to go!

Incidentally, my experience with desi call center employees has been pretty good so far.

By: Sajit

Sajit — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 18:03:51 +0000

FYI his name is "Mahesh" (not Manesh).

Thanks, fixed.

I agree with Saira, it is best to get your voice heard by corporate. When I flew to London last month, I arrived and my bags didn't. When I returned, I wrote a strongly worded email and fax, and included the personal emails of the corporate people I found on the Virgin website. Almost instantaneously, I received a phone call with an apology, vouchers for both me and my wife, and a full reimbursement of all the goods I had to purchase that I had a receipt for. Always include corporate on the cc line, even if only for appearance sake.