Category Archives: Consumer activism

Yet another bad user experience from Amtrak

It's time for my next installment of "Why is @Amtrak service so terrible? It doesn't need to be this way." Check out the last chapter at https://twitter.com/jikamens/status/1217620947781541889. Today's topic: how to make a pre-trip Covid-19 check form as difficult as possible to fill out. #TrainTwitter 1/ I got a notification on my phone that I… Read More: Yet another bad user experience from Amtrak »

Petco violates customer privacy, refuses to confirm appropriate steps were taken to mitigate incident

I recently received a shipment of cat food from Petco which, as far as I know, I had not ordered. I did have a “repeat delivery” order scheduled for that variety of cat food, but usually when Petco is about to send you a repeat delivery order they notify you by email to give you… Read More: Petco violates customer privacy, refuses to confirm appropriate steps were… »

Generic reply to unsolicited vendor sales emails

Dear sales representative who wants me to buy your company’s products, If I’ve emailed you a link to this blog posting, it’s probably because you’ve sent me multiple unsolicited sales emails. Welcome to the club of vendors from whom I’m unlikely to ever purchase anything! No unsolicited sales email I have ever received from a… Read More: Generic reply to unsolicited vendor sales emails »

The arduous saga of applying for a Google Store credit account

I have been trying for three months to open a @AskSynchrony account for the @Google store. It has been an unmitigated disaster every step of the way. It boggles the mind that Google has chosen such a terrible partner for providing this service. For background, I have never been a victim of identity theft, I… Read More: The arduous saga of applying for a Google Store credit… »

Stop & Shop still treating me like a thief, still not training their employees, still not maintaining their equipment

Hey @StopandShop let me tell you why you just lost $350 of business from me. 1/ As I’ve written to you several times before (https://blog.kamens.us/2020/07/11/why-stop-shop-just-lost-500-of-my-business/, https://blog.kamens.us/2017/09/10/please-stop-shop-stop-treating-me-like-a-thief/), it’s bad enough when your Scan-It loss prevention system treats loyal, long-term customers like me as thieves. 2/ It’s even worse when it doesn’t work well. It’s even worse… Read More: Stop & Shop still treating me like a thief, still… »

Lowe’s ships wrong product, it’s apparently impossible to reach someone who can fix it

My letter today to the CEO of Lowe’s: June 27, 2020 Marvin Ellison, CEOLowe’s Companies, Inc.1000 Lowe’s BoulevardMooresville, NC 28117 Dear Mr. Ellison, While I understand the challenges businesses face in providing service to customers in the midst of a pandemic, there comes a time when service is so poor that even in these times… Read More: Lowe’s ships wrong product, it’s apparently impossible to reach someone… »