# What do YOU do whe you get bad service? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [February 21, 2003, 9:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-whe-you-get-bad-service/156627 "2003-02-21T21:03:28Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 5\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 6:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-whe-you-get-bad-service/156627/21 "2003-02-23T18:53:35Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cessandra \* > \*\*Oh, I forgot what I was going to say. In your coupon scenario, most coupons say something like “Not applicable with any other deal.” Before getting upset at that, I’d be sure to check the coupon and the free car wash signs for wording like that to make sure I’m not the one in the wrong. \*\* Yep. In general, two combined deals/coupons aren’t allowed. Oh, did we get BITCHED at for that! ---
**Author:** ![mhendo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mhendo/32/3159_2.png) [@mhendo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mhendo)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-whe-you-get-bad-service/156627/22 "2003-02-23T19:54:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by akennett \* > \*\*As a former Wal-Mart \*\* Well, i don’t usually comment on people’s weight, but if you’re large enough to serve as a large retail store you might want to cut down on the chips and ice cream. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![ghandi5569](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/d26b3c/32.png) [@ghandi5569](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ghandi5569)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 8:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-whe-you-get-bad-service/156627/23 "2003-02-23T20:46:57Z")
I read fine print, and if there isn’t anything mentioned about not combining coupons or special offers, then I can do that. I would point that out to said employee on both the coupon and the sign. If I didn’t get what I wanted, I would ask for the manager, point out the same thing to him/her. If it is policy, it should be written. Especially anything with combining offers–most coupons have it written on them because its a pretty standard thing. But if they don’t show me the policy in writing, it doesn’t exist. ---
**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 8:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-whe-you-get-bad-service/156627/24 "2003-02-23T20:53:23Z")
I usually write a letter. However, this hasn’t been very effective the last two times. I always try to differentiate the person from the policy. I was once in a customer service position working for a company with strict policies. I thought they were bad policies, but it was my job to communicate them. I worried that if I said “I don’t like the policy either” (as I was so often tempted to do) the clients would use that as a way to bolster the complaint (“Even your own staff think this rule is dumb!”) to management and I’d get fired–from a job I really needed. So I ended up seeming like an ass to people. I hated that. I try to be clear about what I am upset about in the letter. Similarly, I try to write nice letters when I’ve had outstanding service. ---
**Author:** ![akennett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ee59a6/32.png) [@akennett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/akennett)\ **Post date:** [February 23, 2003, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-whe-you-get-bad-service/156627/25 "2003-02-23T21:11:49Z")
Yes, **mhendo** , proofreading is a good thing isn’t it. For those unable to read my mind (and insist on reading my words) that should read, “As a former Wal-Mart employee…” D’oh! [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-do-you-do-whe-you-get-bad-service/156627.md?page=1)