Customer service in America is downright shameful…

[mtraininjax]

Good insight to something we all see everyday, services....from an email newsletter I received.

I just don't understand why so many people in the service industry don't seem to care about service anymore. We've already lost so much of our hard-goods industries â€" steel, auto making, and electronics â€" to overseas businesses. It's hard to imagine the service industries would die, too.

But from the day I just had, I worry the U.S. has lost its edge, even in service. And if that happens, we can say goodbye to the dollar. There will be no reason to spend money in the U.S. anymore. When you can get plenty of natural resources and technology in South America, Asia, and Australia â€" and get it with service and a smile â€" why deal with U.S. attitudes?

I don't want to sound like a snob or an elitist. But while traveling yesterday from Bozeman, Montana to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, I was assaulted by an endless string of rude and incompetent "service"…

It started at the airport. I waited to check in on my flight at United, while the agents stood to the side, yakking for more than 10 minutes about their lives and their kids. Eventually, one of the airline's captains, waiting in front of me in street clothes, got out of line and interrupted the gabfest, asking, "Ladies, can you help this customer?"

Later on the plane, four obnoxious attendants huddled in the first-class galley for most of the flight, talking and laughing at the top of their voices. I was sitting next to a retired Marine who now provides private security for celebrities. He was shocked his client would ever pay first-class rates for this sort of service. They were getting paid to attend, so why weren't they?

It got worse at the Ft. Lauderdale airport. I stood in line at Budget, waiting to ask about an upgrade on my rental car. As I waited, agents chatted and walked back and forth aimlessly. Some carried papers in their hands, others sat alone in front of computer screens, and some were talking to each other.

I was the only person in line, and no customers were at the desk.

After 10 minutes, an agent called me to the desk. He repeatedly interrupted my answers to questions about the insurance and gas options.

At one point, he said I should sign up for the expedited Fast Break system "since I clearly didn't want to be interacting with people." I told him I am a Fast Break member, but needed an upgrade. He mumbled, "Geez, why didn't you tell me that before I filled everything in?"

When I chuckled, he started challenging me, like some street punk. Eventually, he handed me the paperwork and pointed me to the door to get to the car â€" without upgrading me. At that point, I just drove away. I'd had enough.

I'm sure some people will dismiss my concerns as self-absorbed. "Get over it," you may be thinking. "Everyone has those experiences traveling."

Sadly, that's the point…

I see this everywhere in the U.S., and it saddens me. I was brought up to believe you've got to give more than you get if you want to succeed. And that means service. From my first job as a dishwasher to my careers on Wall Street, as an eye surgeon, and writing these advisories… I have tried to treat everyone as my customer.

But that's increasingly rare… I see a new attitude of entitlement. People of all ages demand things for nothing. Employees on the job for just a few months expect the same perks and privileges of those who've been working there for years. Worse, people forget that unless you can produce a service or good I want, I'll take my money elsewhere.

It's a mindset that extends all the way up the corporate ladder… If a business cannot deliver an experience that creates loyalty and meets the customers' expectations, it's bound to fail. I spent last night writing to United and Budget to let them know my expectations are higher than what they delivered yesterday.

I hope we can keep the service ethic alive in the U.S. and this country and the dollar strong. But after a day like yesterday, I'm getting worried. As I look for investments and businesses to own, I also look at the corporate culture and philosophies of its leadership.

Whether you're investing in stocks or renting a car… I urge you to do what I do… Spend your hard-earned money only in businesses you respect. And only give it to those willing to work a little extra for it.

[Lunican]

Publix stands out to me as achieving a high level of service.