I had to ring the council....

[Arch]

... with a council tax query, and it's the sort of thing I hate doing, I'm not all that comfortable on the phone except with family and mates. Also, it's one of those things I kept putting off, so it got worse and worse in my head.

Ring ring ring...

<click> recorded message cuts in, 'oh bugger' thinks I, hundreds of options...

No, it was a very simple, 'if you want to do so and so, ring this number, other wise, wait for an answer' message

ring, ring

"Hello, Maggie speaking, how can I help?"

Explained query to Maggie, who turned out to be one of the friendliest people I've ever had to deal with on the phone - seemingly genuinely so. She's sorted me out, and was unerringly lovely about it.

Thank you Maggie, at York City Council.

 

[Chuffy]

Send this as an e-mail to them, don't change a word. Believe me, they will appreciate it.

 

[buggi]

what Chuffy said +1

 

[Dave5N]

Yeah, do it. Call centre staff often endure the most unimaginable, unimaginative abuse. Say thank you to Maggie, not us.

Better still, copy your message to her boss and the York council Chief exec.

 

[Globalti]

Councils have bucked up a lot. I just wish hospitals were the same.

 

[Carwash]

I also had to call York City Council about six months ago with a Council Tax query. My experience was much the same as yours Arch - they were very helpful and friendly, and seemed organised and knowledgeable. Which is more than can be said for me when I have to answer the phone here!

 

[Hilldodger]

I hope your new Cycling Demo Town bod is just as nice

 

[killiekosmos]

This is the level of service you'd get from most Councils!

 

[Arch]

Yeah, I realise I should contact the council too, I will..

 

[Chuffy]

I may frame this thread....

 

[colly]

Yes do it.

People are only to keen to grumble so I'm sure it makes a change have someone offering praise for a change.

I once wrote in to Virgin complaining about the cable and internet connection and the problems I had getting it sorted out. At the end of a long saga I finally got an engineer who had a bit about him and rather than just doing 'his bit' and buggering off he stayed with it until he knew the connection was up and running ok.
I took the trouble to also write in mentioning the bloke and how impressed I was that, unlike everyone else I had been dealing with, he stuck with the job until it was finished.
I actually got a phone call from a director thanking me for the letter letting me know that it would be on his work record for future reference.

So like Chuffy said it will be appreciated.