Customer Service - The Best and the Worst Company's

I believe that customer service is one of the most important qualities for a company to have, and recently, I began contacting company's telling them I like or dislike their products.  This stemmed from my coupon addiction and specifically from the couponing to disney blog.  On this site they do a thing called 5 a days where they encourage you to email 5 company's a day 5 days a week and tell them that you like or dislike their product and often the company's will replace or refund products you had issues with or just send you coupons if you like them (you never ask for coupons just provided your feedback).  I am not this disciplined and my goal is to email 5 companies a week and I have had wonderful results but this is not what I am wanting to blog about, so if you are interested in this check out her blog.  However, through doing this I have gained and lost some respect for different companies and here are my favorites and least favorites.

CUSTOMER SERVICE CHAMPS!
1.  Burt's Bees - They are my number 1 company because they responded quickly and replaced my items quickly (I think I got my replacement chapsticks that same week!).  I contacted the company because I had gotten a 2 pack of chapstick for Christmas that was supposed to be "soothing and cooling" and I hated it.  It left my lips feeling dry and sticky and I told them that I didn't like it but that I loved their pomegranate chapstick.  They responded to my email within a few hours and I got 2 new chapsticks that week.  I am now even more loyal to the Burt's Bees brand.

2.  Campbell's - Campbell's is another company I can't say enough good things about.  I have contacted them twice, once for their condensed soups and once for Prego sauces.  Both contacts were telling them how much I enjoyed their products (nothing negative to say).  The first time they sent me 3 $1 off coupons for any campbell's brand product and I was emailed yesterday to say they are sending me coupons for my Prego comment as well!  They are a top company because I would still buy their products if they didn't send me anything but they go out of their way to thank loyal customers.

3.  Kimberly Clark - (Huggies, Scott, Kleenex, etc.)  I have contacted Kimberly Clark a few times because I haven't been pleased with their products.  We had trouble with Huggies leaking early on and Scott paper towels were really rough.  I contacted the company and they sent me multiple high value coupons.  They sent me a coupon for a free package of huggies diapers hoping we would try them again along with other coupons for any huggies product (which was awesome b/c I love their wipes!).  I did try the diapers again and in fact liked them more now that she is older.  I continue to use kimberly clark products, especially huggies wipes just because I am such a fan of their customer service.

4.  S C Johnson - (Scrubbing Bubbles, Windex, etc.)  They make a ton of different products so I have contacted them several times both good and bad.  I contacted them first to tell them about how much I loved their shower cleaner and they sent me a coupon for a free refill!  I also had an issue with some windex wipes so they sent me a coupon for a free windex product which was great because I could get any product (because I wouldn't use the wipes again).  They made the list because they stand by their products but also thank loyal customers for using their product.

5.  P & G - (Bounty, Covergirl, Tide, Dawn...pretty much 60% of Wal-mart's products)  Since P&G makes so many products, I have contacted them several times.  Some good and some bad.  Good comments, they said thanks and passed it along but whenever I had a problem (Like when my paper towels were defective and didn't tear) they sent me a coupon to replace them.  They make the list because they want their customers to be happy with their products and they stand by them so if you have a problem, let them know.

*Honorable Mention: Nestle Tollhouse -  I just recently emailed them about loving their chocolate chips and got a free $1 off coupon!  Who doesn't love chocolate coupons!

CUSTOMER SERVICE DUDS
 1.  Kitchen Aid- You may be shocked that I have Kitchen aid as the worst customer service as you have probably heard me talk about how much I love my mixer.  However, I contacted them after I noticed one of my beaters had paint chipping and I was worried about it getting in food.  I was asked for the model number and was told they were sorry but it was no longer under warranty but I could purchase one for $14.95 + $6.95 shipping.  This upset me for a few reasons.  First, kitchen aid mixers are very expensive but they are considered top of the line so I expected top of the line service.  I found out the mixers are only warrantied for 1 year and since it was 1 1/2 years since I got it, I got the "too bad so sad" response.  I responded thanking them for taking the time to read my email and check in to it but also informed them of my feelings toward the response.  I never heard back.  Their are other brands that sell attachments for this mixer that I have used and enjoyed and I will be purchasing a replacement from them, not kitchenaid.  Because of their customer service I will be very hesitant to buy their products again.

2.  Fisher-Price - They ended up here because they were so difficult to get a hold of (you can't email them, live chat is slow and I couldn't get through when I tried to call)!  Then, once I finally was able to contact them I was told the product was made by another company and I would have to contact them, they just sold their name to them.  This was VERY irritating to me, plus, I have major concern that they had no idea or concern that a product with their name on it had problems.  I finally received replacements after weeks of waiting, unfortunately the product is still sub par.

Well, I only had 2 company's for the Dud list, but I consider that a good thing.  I think that companies should stand by their products and keep customers happy and coming back.  I hope this helps.