Business & Tech

Which Companies Are Rated With Worst Customer Service?

Data from the American Consumer Satisfaction Index indicates customers are upset with a number of big-name companies -- some that have Buford outlets. Which do you think received the lowest score?

Customer service is what many companies say they pride themselves in. However, consumers say some are definitely better than others.

Which companies have the worst customer service?

24/7 Wall St., a trend analysis company, has drilled down data from the American Consumer Satisfaction Index to come up with that answer.

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See below the nine companies listed as having the worst customer experience in 2012, as reported in USA Today. And some of them have outlets in Buford.

The "customer satisfaction score" is based on a 100-point scale. In part, the score considers customers' price tolerance, percieved value and loyalty.

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Let us know if you agree.

9. Walgreens

Customer Satisfaction Score: 76

Sales at stores open at least a year declined 2 percent in the most recent quarter, while revenue for the company declined 4.6 percent and earnings declined 25.5 percent.

8. TJX Companies

Customer Satisfaction Score: 76

TJX Companies, which owns discount retail stores T.J. Maxx, Marshalls and HomeGoods, has underperformed in the sector's ACSI score in five of the past six years. In one survey, only 18 percent described service as "excellent."

7. The Gap

Customer satisfaction score: 76

Despite more net income, Gap rated as the worst for customer satisfaction -- tied with TJX -- within the 10 specialty retailers survey bt ACSI. The company owns Gap, Banana Republic and Old Navy.

6. Supervalu

-- Customer satisfaction score: 76

Supervalu was among the consumers' least favorite retailers, according to the ACSI. The company, which includes the Save-A-Lot markets, received one of the lowest supermarket ratings. By comparison, Publix received one of the highest ACSI scores at 86, while Whole Foods received an 80.

5. Sears

-- Customer satisfaction score: 75

This company has consistently had among the lowest customer satisfaction scores of the department and discount stores reviewed by ASCI. In addition, media reports have indicated that patrons believe the coupons are very restricted and the delivery service poor.

4. CVS Caremark

-- Customer satisfaction score: 75

CVS Caremark (CVS) is one of the nation's largest businesses in any industry. However, its size has not meant happy customers. In each of the past three years, the company's customer satisfaction rating has trailed Rite Aid and Walgreens.

3. Safeway

Customer satisfaction score: 75

As one of the nation's largest retailers, Safeway has found itself in the bottom customer satisfaction. In each of the past 10 years, Safeway has underperformed supermarkets as a whole in the ACSI. Patrons say shopping there is tedious and that inaccurate pricing is rampant.

2. Netflix

-- Customer satisfaction score: 75

In each year from 2006 through 2010, the company exceeded its benchmarks. So, what happened to drastically change things? One wrong move seemed to be its plans to separate DVD rental and streaming platforms. Customers were outraged, and Netflix has really gained groud since then.

1. Walmart

Customer satisfaction score: 71

-- The company has numerous customer service demerits. In the ACSI ratings Walmart has been the lowest-rated department or discount store in the nation every year between 2007 through 2012. It also has been the lowest-rated supermarket every year since 2005. E-commerce isn't doing so well, either.

Want to know more?

View more customer service scores across many different industries at the American Consumer Satisfaction Index website.

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