Dear Sir,

Where oh where is customer service? Does it still exist? I'm beginning to wonder.

After three attempts to phone my bank this morning (July 12, 2021), and holding for approximately ten minutes each time, I gave up. Why can't we call someone in Bermuda who speaks so you can understand them?

I have to say that the present Government Covid “hotline” number is answered more quickly than the bank I use.

When it comes to some sections of the retail trade, it begs the same question — where is customer service? I visited a shoe store recently, hoping to find what I wanted. There were two other customers in the store and three salespeople. The salespeople were too busy having a conversation among themselves to ask if I needed assistance. I left without making a purchase. (The only person happy about this was my husband!)

When some of us worked in the retail business — back in the day — we remembered that it was the customer who paid our salary. It wasn't difficult to smile and let people know we were happy to see them in our store and glad they chose us for their shopping needs.

Do we need more training in customer service? I think not; it’s simply courtesy, friendliness and making people happy. Not a lot to ask, is it?

LIBBY MADEIROS

Devonshire