I was going to let my experience go but though if the situation is addressed, I would be doing all the next customers a disservice.
The guy who checked me in needs immediate coaching on how to work with customers. It has nothing to do with age (he's older than I am. I'm 54) but it's common customer service protocol that if you're taking longer than necessary, you apologize - even if it's just a one-time apology.
We registered online, including entering all the license information. When I got there, yes, I was in the system but it seemed like my name was the only thing in there because of all the questions I was asked and him needing to enter it.
- He needed my address (which was already there),
- the front and back of my licenses (which we entered all that info already),
- a 3rd, THIRD, phone number "as a back up" he said. I said, "You already confirmed one number to me, you asked for an alternative number so I gave you my mobile number, so you're not getting any other number."
He said, "Well this is a new screen and it's asking for one."
To which I replied, "I don't care. Do you really think it makes sense to have three numbers on file? I know you didn't make the system but you need to tell management that they need a system that can pull info from one screen to another because this is really inconvenient and frustrating for the customer."
I had my son in the car and hot lunch for the family to take home right after my "quick stop" at U-Haul to get the truck. Apparently I was wrong to think to put all information online prior to my arrival because it would speed up the pick-up process would be a good idea.
I'm not kidding when I say three to four other customers came and went while I was still there ... waiting ... while he was staring at the screen trying to figure things out. This also doesn't bode well for the girl who was at the other counter - and super fast with the other customers - and didn't notice I was STILL THERE after she helped 3-4 other customers. ??.
I think I got there at around 9:15-9:30AM and didn't leave until after 10AM. If I were in his shoes, I would not have started the rental time for when we made the reservation for - 9:00AM because:
1. I didn't walk out of that office until after 10AM and
2. The cargo van wasn't even ready and sitting outside, Plus,
3. How does that make sense? You charge people for using your products. I didn't use it until 10 am. It doesn't hurt U-Haul financially, but it does leave a real bad taste with the customer. But he did. He left it at 9 am starting time. What sense does that make?
He knew I was frustrated because I asked at least twice, "How much longer is this going to take?" I'm pretty sure most people would hear a question like that and know that this person is concerned about the time or length of time the process is taking and therefore.
1. apologize,
2. give the customer some idea of how much longer - since that's what the customer asked the employee who is representing U-Haul and/or
3. explain to the customer:
A. "I'm so sorry it's taking so long. I'm new" or
B. "I'm sorry. I'm still learning this system" or
C. "I'm sorry. I know you've been waiting a while. I appreciate your patience. Let me get some help to speed this up"
... or some other rational explanation, not an excuse.
I got nothing!
This is what was said to me, "I dunno. I gotta fill in the information the screen is asking me." THAT'S what you're going to say to an obviously fidgety, anxious customer, who told you that he has his son and food to take home in the car, waiting.
.
I'm sure you know how far an apology goes. If he was new and that's why, fine. Tell me. We've all been new at jobs before. Every single person who has ever worked has been new at a job. But even so, that new employee needs to know it's not about THEM, Mr. U-Haul Representative Employee. Customers can't read minds.
Tell me. Talk to me. Tell me something like you feel bad it's taking so long but you're doing your best. Perfect! Tell me that. I'd understand 100%. That's all I would have needed to hear. Customers don't want excuses. Just a reason ... and there's a big difference. Customers is one of the reasons you actually have a job. If you didn't have customers, you wouldn't be open. 40,000,000+ people filed for unemployment because of the Covid. Forty million! Be grateful you're not in that number and make me feel you're happy I chose U-Haul.
I really don't think that's asking too much.
Greg Johnstone
gdj3535@gmail.com
262.408.3204
