Online customer services slammed in report

NEWS Online customer service standards among Net traders are very poor, according to a survey published today by research company, Verdict. The company performed simple tests on 20 of the best-known online retailers, and despite a growing awareness that service online should be as good as that offline, the results showed Web-based services lag far behind. Four of those sampled, including Waterstone's and ToysRUs, failed to reply to a simple query sent three times by email; others just sent automatic replies. A hall of shame for bad customer service can be found in the report which is obtainable via Dialinternet which commissioned the survey. For more information see http://www.dialinternet.com .