The Struggles of a Customer

By: @Zamaradi_M

I am one of those customers who are referred to as difficult customers. And it's an honor to be called that. I am earning my money the hard way, if I spend it I definitely want what's worth my money.

As every other human being I am a customer. A customer to so many companies and small businesses. From Mangi dukani to Ustaadh gengeni to Vodacom and Zantel all the way to Stanbic, Banc ABC and Standard Chartered.

But I hate being a customer! If celebs hire stylists I wish I could hire someone to represent me to all my service providers! Growing up I thought Mathematics was the most difficult course but now I thank God I did not opt for Customer services. The way customer service reps work, I think theirs must be the most difficult course. Like, did any of them get at least a D-?

Mangi dukani, I come first. Wait in line as a good customer that I am, then out of nowhere comes a smoker, cuts the line and you serve him first! Seriously? I guess smoking is an emergence!

Ustaadh gendeni, I am cooking and I realize that I need to get something quickly. I run to gengeni with my mismatching ndala and what do you do, ask me to wait when you talk with your buddy on the phone!

Telecoms! Where do I start with you? That famous solution from your call center agents; 'tafadhali fika ofisini kwa msaada zaidi.' You realize that we all have jobs to keep enh? The problem is not with my device, why do I need to come to your office?

I have worked as a call center agent for almost two years and when we get to this point, let's just say somebody is having a shitty day already, and that somebody's name does not start with Z!

Then, my dearest banks! From paying TZS. 40,000 just to get a 6 months bank statement (do you manually make statements or just print from the system?) to keeping me on hold for five good minutes. You know I am paying for that call enh?

My inspiration for this piece came from my bank (Thank you). I reported a problem since morning and was told it was resolved only to go check now and find out it was not! I finished my 20 minutes of Cheka Nao screaming! I asked the customer care rep to call me back as I could not afford even one more minute today. It is 1530hrs and I am sitting here patiently waiting. Banks close at 1530hrs.

I don't wanna wait in vain for your call....

UPDATE:

It is 31st May and I did not receive that call but checked and my problem is resolved. If that customer care rep called he would probably get a big shout out. His loss anyways...