Sad to say it but...
i deal with about 2000 suppliers a year, some of whom i spend over 5 million with.

Customer services at most of them are just incompetent un-thinking half wits whom if their script doesn't fit what you are saying - English first language staff or not - then you are out of luck. Its not just "small guys" whom get shoddy treatment. even the threat of moving a few hundred grand of business elsewhere doens't motivate the muppets at the coalface to do what is asked - no more, no less.

I had a great one, with HSf*ckingBC. (whom spunk money on sponsoring Heartbeat and most of Heathrow Airport) They wouldn't give me a real switch card - i had solo and had to get cash out before going to the shops as most places didn't take it. I "didn't meet the criteria" - so i asked what they were.
"i'll get my manager" - 10 minutes on hold "you do not meet the criteria my manager said"
"What criteria? You have to make those clear under banking regulations. Also, you lent me 160k for my mortgage, have 10k on HSBC gold VISA, in fact have every other product with you as good customers. What criteria did i fail now that meant i could have over 150k of borrowings with you"
"my manager will ring you"
no phone call, then a letter repeating the very same phrase next day.

Needless to say i threatened them with moving my account which earnt them a fortune in interest - and bingo, 10 days later a switch card arrived.
( bazza van der trance , ooh baby baby, baby baby. Get up on this., Wed 1 Aug 2007, 12:44, Reply)