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Writer's pictureAnne L (Agius) Gelicrisio

The Customer is Always Right?


An example of how awesome the people of Paris are, even when it comes to resolving customer complaints.


Today I returned to the shop with my original proof of purchase, viewed below, following instructions from Microsoft Customer Service online chat representatives - whom I spoke to yesterday in the spirit of resolving the matter without the confrontation - who advised me to re-enter the store with my receipt and insist they produce the product key to access Ms Office 365 for the HP Laptop I purchased, as it is a promotion between Microsoft and Hp; which was supposed to come with a free 12months subscription...


When I went back to the shop last weekend, I was told by an English Speaking Sales Representative that it's the same as the box number, but of course when I tried it, it didn't work.


Today, I was initially denied because staff believed they had to contact Microsoft who are closed on the weekend (I was told). I couldn't wait till Monday because I am writing a book and it didn't make much sense to me that Microsoft had to be contacted prior to resolving this problem, as Microsoft told me themselves that there is nothing more they can do, that their agreement for this promotion is between Microsoft and Hp not between Microsoft and the store where I purchased the lap top; they confirmed that it is the store's legal responsibility to give what the customer pay's for and by right, they should just generate a new product key code upon presentation of my receipt, which they can easily, that they do not need my lap top for this.


This is the second time into the store so they all knew that I had not yet been provided with the product key code to access Ms Office 365.

After lengthy delays, waiting outside next to my trolley alone, service staff under the instruction of management, tried to send me away without the product key; he'd been instructed to take back my computer to reinstall the program with a working product key (but I'm trying to finish the last chapter of my book titled BETRAYED NOT BEATEN, which is saved on my new lap top and contains highly sensitive information, and therefore I was in no position to part with my lap top until such time the script for my book is ready to be presented to the publisher in the UK...).


I believe it was an honest mistake on their part and I was trying to get them to understand that I understand that; these are very good people, who upon purchasing my lap top, they threw in a zip bag to protect the lap top for one euro, it was all I had left after saving my donation money diligently for one month, so the last thing I wanted to do is argue with them; however, I could not leave without the product key to activate Ms Office 365.

It was my understanding that the product key was supposed to be printed on the receipt, which they failed to do upon purchase and after lengthy delays, they admitted it was their error and that they need to fix it.


My many years of experience as a customer service champion in both the banking and retail industries, tells me that if it's not the customer's fault, the problem must be fixed without delay, as so not to inconvenience the customer - even if that means getting another product key from a closed Ms Office Activation Box that has not yet been sold and then replacing it on Monday, when Microsoft (and their head office) are contactable.


After trying to communicate this with sales staff, the manager (who did not speak English) finally approved my request and handed me a product key and a new receipt with today's date; the problem was sorted. The entire conversation took place outside becuase I had to guard my supermarket trolley, which was leaking water at the bottom from an accidental broken glass (as a result of dropping it on the way over).


The hard copy of my original receipt was not given back to me, which shows no product key printed; however, I have saved copies on my computer - some of which are attached to this post.


THE PROBLEM WAS FIXED AND APOLOGIES WERE EXCHANGED.

VIVE LA FRANCE


Half an hour later, the café down the road gave me their unsold goods, a bag full.






VIVE LA FRANCE

OX

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