Poor telephone manner while trying to hire a horse box!

[YorksG]

I tried to arrange the hire of a horsebox for the bank holiday weekend today, having got entries in etc and our waggon being off the road for repairs. I rang a local manufacturer of rather swish horse boxes, to be told that the person who deals with bookings was taking another call and the person I was talking to thought that it was someone booking for that weekend. I left my number and asked them to ring me back as soon as possible. An hour later I rang them back, having heard nothing, to be told,'I was just about to ring you back, I've only just got back to my desk and you should have rung months ago to get our one hire box for the bank holiday, the box will be in Spain all that week'. The tone was somewhat brusque (I am trying to be polite) and rather less pleasant than I would have expected. Interestingly about two weeks ago I was talking to the owner of this firm, while I was stewarding a class that she was grooming for one of her horses, she seemed perfectly pleasant. I have hired a box, for a cheaper price from a non specialist firm, with very nice staff, guess where I will go first next time I want to hire a box

 

[AmyMay]

Hey ho.

 

[EllenJay]

To be honest - trying to hire a box today for bank holiday is a bit of a long shot. Hope you manage to get out and about

 

[YorksG]

I managed without any trouble at a vehicle hire centre which just has the one horse box and no equine connection at all If I am ever in the position to buy a brand new waggon, I doubt I will be buying from the first firm.

 

[Capriole]

Nice staff make such a difference. I hired a van and driver last year and all was fine, then when I hired the same man/van for the return journey the man's partner came along and the entire journey there and back the lady was really unpleasant, bitching about customers. Made me really uncomfortable and I wouldnt use them again. Went elsewhere after that, with a lovely driver.

 

[rockysmum]

Not surprised you were put off. I admit its late for a Bank Holiday weekend but you are the customer.

The sort of places I would go back to would apologise and even in many cases suggest alternatives,

Being friendly and helpful doesn't cost anything and means people will ring you next time they want something.