Warning about free shipping code

Is this maybe a case of "someone with a bad experience tells 12 others" vs "someone with a good experience tells 3 others" (something I learned in marketing. Point being the bad experiences always get more attention than the good ones.) I have spoken to at least 10 different CS people on various occasion, for all kinds of reasons, and never been treated poorly or rudely. One seemed a little "short" one day, but explained that the computer system was running slowly that day and it was making it hard for her to help people efficiently. Come on people, let's hear from all of you with pleasant, happy AGCS experiences!

That is a very good point, Cathy. I typically only use 1 credit card, and I use it on everything to get airline miles. I pay it off each month so that I am never charged interest. My exception to that rule is 2 department stores that reward customer loyalty and like to shop at those stores often. If you spend over $600 per year on your store credit card, you get special discounts mailed to you about 6 times per year and the discount is on top of the sale price. I feel rewarded for my loyalty. I think AG should do something like this.

On another note, AG has all our orders on file by our account number. I can't believe that there is not some kind of computer software that would make a coupon code invalid if it was used by the same customer more than once. I would call AG and ask them this question, but I would only get a Customer Service Rep, and I don't think they really know much about what the intentions of the president of AG or the president of AG marketing.

My overall thought is that AG is a big company with a lot of intelligent people running it. If they didn't learn their lesson on the Samantha DVD coupon and make software that prohibits multiple use of a code, they must not care or they must like the extra sales.

I bought both DVDs and used the Samantha DVD code a lot. I purchased way, way more than I should have at that time and therefore, AG made way more money off of me than they would have without that code. If AG can give employees a 40% discount, they are not losing money when selling at 40% off. Remember, that coupon did NOT say anything about a 1 time use.

AG is the only company I deal with that only rewards new customers, not their loyal, long standing ones. Most other catalog and online companies I buy from have codes and coupons included in my purchases, or send me catalogs and emails with them on a regular basis. AG's attitude seems to be that they've already got us, so they don't need to try to keep our business. I don't feel at all guilty using codes posted on the board.

As for the attitude of that cs rep, she needs to rethink her priorities. There had been a benefit sale in Eau Claire, Wi the last 3 years for the Children's Museum. This is the first year that there won't be one- [img]graemlins/cry.gif[/img] . Last year I found out why it would be the last one. AG only supports communities where they have a business (as least in such a big way). They used to have a phone order center in Eau Claire that employed like 800 people. Because of the huge increase in internet sales, they didn't need it anymore, and it was closed and all of those people lost their jobs. You would think AG's current phone service reps would be so greatful for a job that they would be trying to make ordering by phone as pleasant an experience as possible, not hassling a customer for using a code.

I too have worked in CS areas before. And I have to agree that those are the hardest jobs. I try to be understanding. And I know what it is like to have an unpleasant experience in dealing with customers. I have had numerous good experiences with customer service from AG. Only a couple of bad ones. The good outweighs the bad for me.

I wonder if some of the representatives have some disdain for the codes because of the way their jobs work. I have a few friends who work for call-in catalog companies (we have several in the Madison area) and they get bonuses based on their sales. A code could pull down their nightly average, which I can definitely see as a motivator for code-distaste.

AG is a great company, but a call-in job is still a call-in job.

Yes- but I think they need to realize that without the code, many of us wouldn't be calling at all. So that code is pulling up their sales!