No. 8: Popularity pricey for Time Warner Cable
Lots of customers call, the technology is complicated, and people who are without a service they depend on are in no mood to wait, a spokesman says.
Archive for May, 2008
No. 7: Bank of America has growing pains (again)
An appetite for acquisition means trying to integrate different technologies. Plus, miscommunication and confusion about fees have cost the megabank some good will.
No. 6: Trouble in the cards for Capital One?
Government regulators are looking into whether the 'What's in your wallet?' company, known for aggressive marketing tactics, violated any laws.
No. 5: Qwest accentuates the positive
The communications provider -- and partner of fellow Hall of Shamer Sprint Nextel -- declines to talk about survey results but cites recent awards it has received for good service.
No. 4: Abercrombie & Fitch isn’t talking
The trendy clothing company, the only retailer in MSN Money's Customer Service Hall of Shame, has been accused of sexualizing children and using discriminatory hiring practices.
No. 3: Sprint improving but has far to go
The wireless carrier says it has stopped its automatic contract extensions and now rewards agents for solving customers' problems rather than for ending calls quickly.
No. 2: Is Comcast a ‘victim’ of success?
The fast-growing broadband Internet provider acknowledges its reputation and says it's investing heavily in people and training to turn things around.
No. 1: AOL coping with change
Massive layoffs and its corporate parent's big stock drops have made things harder as the once-dominant Internet service provider struggles to reinvent itself.
The next step in the credit mess
Sooner or later, the Fed will have to pay attention to inflation and turn off the money machine. That's what Wall Street is afraid of.
No More “Me Too” Marketing
Before you can beat your competitors, customers have to be able to tell you apart. Here are 3 steps to becoming the leader of the pack.
A Referral Doesn’t Mean Closed Sales
You shouldn't skip steps in the sales process, even with a recommendation. Here's how you can make the most of your leads.
Surprise in housing data
New-home sales rise for the first time in six months, but consumers are still unsure about the economy. Gasoline prices top $4 a gallon in 11 states. Former Fed chief Alan Greenspan says the economy is pointing to a recession.
Let Wal-Mart fix US health care
The discount retailer already has made major inroads into accessible, affordable care through lower drug prices, walk-in clinics and electronic record-keeping. Why stop there?
Beat the recession with tech funds
Consumers may cut back on spending, but they're still buying touch-screen phones and other technology. Here's why tech funds are roaring -- and how you can plug in.
5 foods it’s cheaper to grow
If grocery prices have you thinking about cutting costs with a garden, you may be on the right track. But be careful what you plant; a garden could raise your food costs.