In yesterday's newspaper there was an article about Swiss keeping their money (in 1000 notes) under the mattress. That's pretty funny considering the bank culture in the country.
Whole article in German
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
What's with these countries in W Europe?
Having lived in several different countries and continents and living in well off countries let me tell you there is one amazing thing is going on in each and every one in Europe. And that's the lack of competition. In the US the competition is fierce therefore you got to have a fairly good product and customer service as well as price. And then there is Europe...where businesses get offend when they are faced with reality that they only exist because we, the customer actually buy the products and he/she should be the king. They get offended when you compare prices and go with the one which is cheaper or choose them whichever other reason.
Ok, to be fair I have worked in marketing all my life and I am completely aware of the balance a business should keep in order to be profitable (aka not abused by customers) but still satisfy its customers and when they complain they should be taken seriously.
Here, in Switzerland, there are a few examples from my own life when I had to face how businesses operate here. And let me tell you, it's not what you would expect.
1) I needed a special business insurance so I asked for two quotes. When one of them was basically double the price of the other one and had to turn it down, I got no response whatsoever. I actually wrote the gentleman that I would be happy to co-opearte on other insurances when needed etc and yet no response at all. Seriously? It's like being in kindergarten.
The 2) is the same story: I needed an accountant, so I talked to two accountants, having a 10 min chat, asked how they think about the business, price etc. After deciding and turning down one of them, I got an email saying how I dare to do that and he invested in me so much time. Make no mistake: when I left I asked how much I owe him when he said, no worries that's a marketing cost. Really? But when I turn you down, you write me an email saying how a mean person I am? That's simply ridiculous.
Nr 3 happened to me recently. I ordered a LOT of fitness equipment. After packing it out it turned out that one of them is defective and cannot be properly used as such. I emailed/called the company and for 3 weeks I did not even get an email or any response how we can solve the problem. Typical situation: you are a king until you spend your $$ then we do not give a &*@@ about what you are doing especially when complaining. So, no other choice, I took it onto social media and got some response at last. No, the defective equipment still does not work and had to listen to the customer service complain how I dare to do it plus they are very busy, but at least they said they would have a look at it. Again, that's crazy because the parts needs to be changed...instead someone might come out some time to have a look at it (pics is not enough) and then we will see what happens. So, they are really busy, but I should be patient and have the time to write several emails, calls, messages whatever until I get a response.
Actually, the Netherlands is the same from this aspect too. The king is the business the customer is something essentially bad they have to deal with. And these are not the only ones... I really do miss the US sometimes.
Ok, to be fair I have worked in marketing all my life and I am completely aware of the balance a business should keep in order to be profitable (aka not abused by customers) but still satisfy its customers and when they complain they should be taken seriously.
Here, in Switzerland, there are a few examples from my own life when I had to face how businesses operate here. And let me tell you, it's not what you would expect.
1) I needed a special business insurance so I asked for two quotes. When one of them was basically double the price of the other one and had to turn it down, I got no response whatsoever. I actually wrote the gentleman that I would be happy to co-opearte on other insurances when needed etc and yet no response at all. Seriously? It's like being in kindergarten.
The 2) is the same story: I needed an accountant, so I talked to two accountants, having a 10 min chat, asked how they think about the business, price etc. After deciding and turning down one of them, I got an email saying how I dare to do that and he invested in me so much time. Make no mistake: when I left I asked how much I owe him when he said, no worries that's a marketing cost. Really? But when I turn you down, you write me an email saying how a mean person I am? That's simply ridiculous.
Nr 3 happened to me recently. I ordered a LOT of fitness equipment. After packing it out it turned out that one of them is defective and cannot be properly used as such. I emailed/called the company and for 3 weeks I did not even get an email or any response how we can solve the problem. Typical situation: you are a king until you spend your $$ then we do not give a &*@@ about what you are doing especially when complaining. So, no other choice, I took it onto social media and got some response at last. No, the defective equipment still does not work and had to listen to the customer service complain how I dare to do it plus they are very busy, but at least they said they would have a look at it. Again, that's crazy because the parts needs to be changed...instead someone might come out some time to have a look at it (pics is not enough) and then we will see what happens. So, they are really busy, but I should be patient and have the time to write several emails, calls, messages whatever until I get a response.
Actually, the Netherlands is the same from this aspect too. The king is the business the customer is something essentially bad they have to deal with. And these are not the only ones... I really do miss the US sometimes.
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