mom@shiloh Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 We are making a large purchase, approximately $5000. One company gave us a quote that is slightly less and has perhaps a better product and is more well-known, but doesn't return phone calls promptly and is generally snooty (imo) when I ask questions. The other company returns calls promptly and is very friendly and doesn't make me feel like an idiot. Which would you go with? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 I can't answer your question - I think it's quite personal. But it reminded me of clip from QI. Warning: rude words but very funny. L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 Is it a product that is going to need ongoing customer support? If not, I'd go with the lower priced company. If it does, I'd go with the one with the better customer service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Murphy101 Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 I can't answer your question - I think it's quite personal. But it reminded me of clip from QI. Warning: rude words but very funny.L My wife was looking for an iron basket... I had no idea such a thing even existed! Me either!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tita Gidge Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 We are making a large purchase, approximately $5000. One company gave us a quote that is slightly less and has perhaps a better product and is more well-known, but doesn't return phone calls promptly and is generally snooty (imo) when I ask questions. The other company returns calls promptly and is very friendly and doesn't make me feel like an idiot. Which would you go with? Customer service is important to me, especially when we're talking about a pricey product. If the window guy at McD's is rude, well ... no biggie. If the window guy installing new vinyl windows is rude, well ... it's a bigger deal. Only you know if it's a big enough deal that a well-known, less-expensive product beats out chasing down the vendor and being talked down to. I can say that for me, it'd depend be so situation specific that I couldn't begin to advise you. What's your gut saying? BUT. I can say without hesitation that I lean towards better customer service - especially for purchases requiring a professional install or follow-up. Things like a hot tub, paint job, car repair, fence, etc. I feel like it's the safer gamble to go with a lesser-known product so long as I'm able to keep getting ahold of the vendor. Returned calls and general pleasantness go far in assuring me that a company is likely to stand behind its product/professional and will continue to value its customer by offering great service. A company that is hard to get ahold of now, pre-sale, isn't going to be any easier to chase down if problems arise post-sale. So you may pay less, but end up stuck. You may get the more well-known product, but no one to repair or return it to if there are problems. I'd consider the higher price a peace-of-mind insurance fee. And then I'd not worry about a lesser-known product, it may be cutting edge or newer and thus less known ... or it might be this company goes with a product it can stand behind, as opposed to the product that markets best. Whichever, knowing communication with the company is easy and reliable ... that's who I'd go with, myself. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lavender's green Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 It depends on the item and if it's the sort of thing that might have defects and need a replacement. My in-laws bought a fridge that died after only a couple of months from a manufacturer's defect, but the company gave them the run-around for several months before reimbursing them. It's not exactly cheap to buy a fridge and be forced to buy a second one two months later! I know my budget couldn't handle that very easily, so for major appliances I'd prefer a company with good customer service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 My wife was looking for an iron basket... I had no idea such a thing even existed! Me either!? An ironing basket is a plastic basket that you use to pile clean dry clothes in after you take them off the line/from the dryer. It's a fairly standard British term. L Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 People in the US don't much iron ( now I've offended those who iron! Sorry!), so we just call it a laundry basket. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LibraryLover Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 My sil in Europe used to iron *everything*, including knit undies and sheets.I'll clean the heck out of a bathroom, but there will be no ironing of sheets by me, that is for sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jean in Newcastle Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 I have an ironing basket. It is always full. Every night I pick out one shirt for dh to wear the next day and iron it. It has long been on my to-do list to iron everything in my ironing basket. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mom@shiloh Posted May 31, 2013 Author Share Posted May 31, 2013 Well, my first instinct was to go with the pricier, less-known company because I don't like rude people. After I thought about it for longer though, it occurred to me that someone else who I spoke with at the company was very pleasant several weeks ago when I went in and returned my phone call right away. It's just the woman who is in charge of this aspect of the business that I don't like. So, I think we'll go with them anyway. Thanks for the thoughts. btw, I don't iron either -- my mother would be appalled to know that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lanny Posted May 31, 2013 Share Posted May 31, 2013 Any company that does not provide outstanding help, before you make a purchase from them, is NOT going to respond to you, after you make a purchase. Your thread reminded me of when we built our house. We went into the store of one very well regarded company. We were going to make a purchase of approximately USD$15K or $20K.. We were left on our own, to browse and we were virtually ignored. We left after awhile. We then went to the store of their competition. Somewhat less famous, but a very solid company. They got the order because they gave us outstanding help, before we placed the order. This was for the tiles for the floors (and in some rooms tiles for the walls). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzie in Ma Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 I am adamant about good customer service. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted June 4, 2013 Share Posted June 4, 2013 Depends on the product and the price difference. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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