Here’s a scenario that was originally sent to me a couple of years ago. I’ve shown it to over 5000 people and it occurred to me that this blog is a good way to show it to even more. I have two people role play it in my Customer Service Training programs and keynote speeches. It’s a classic example of what can happen when an organization fails to hire the right people, train people properly, get people to “buy in” to a culture of service (or fails to have such a culture), fails to empower people, or is gulity of some combination of all the above. It gets a lot of laughs but it’s deadly serious as well. Enjoy!
This is so priceless, and so easy to see happening, customer service being what it is today.
A lady died this past January, and Citibank billed her for February and March for their annual service charges on her credit card, and then added late fees & interest on the monthly charge. The balance had been $0.00, now it’s somewhere around $60.00.
A family member placed a call to Citibank:
Family Member: “I’m calling to tell you that she died in January.
Citibank: “The account was never closed and the late fees & charges still apply.”
Family Member: “Maybe you should turn it over to collections.”
Citibank: “Since it is two months past due, it already has been.”
Family Member: So, what will they do when they find out she is dead?”
Citibank: “Either report her account to the frauds division or report her to the credit bureau; maybe both!”
Family Member: “Do you think God will be mad at her?”
Citibank: “Excuse me?”
Family Member: “Did you just get what I was telling you . . . the part about her being dead?”
Citibank: “Sir, you’ll have to speak to my supervisor”
Supervisor gets on the phone.
Family Member: “I’m calling to tell you, she died in January.”
Citibank: “The account was never closed and the late fees & charges still apply.”
Family Member: “You mean you want to collect from her estate?”
Citibank: (Stammer) “Are you her lawyer?”
Family Member: “No, I’m her great nephew.” (Lawyer info given)
Citibank: “Could you fax us a certificate of death?” : “Sure.” (the fax number is given)
After they get the fax …
Citibank: “Our system just isn’t setup for death. I don’t know what more I can do to help.”
Family Member: “Well, if you figure it out, great! If not, you could just keep billing her. I don’t think she will care.”
Citibank: “Well, the late fees & charges do still apply.”
Family Member: “Would you like her new billing address?”
Citibank: “That might help.”
Family Member: “Odessa Memorial Cemetery, Highway 129, Plot Number 69.”
Citibank: “Sir, that’s a cemetery!”Family Member: “What do you do with dead people on your planet?”
What fun it is dealing with “customer service”.
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