The Companies You Hate

"Remember Ma Bell? Remember when you could make a single phone call to get a telephone extension added or change your service options? Or get something repaired -- usually at no additional charge? Did the breakup of AT&T(T Quote) get us better service for a lower price? Everybody hated Mother Bell but she was a model of efficient customer service. I mourn her passing every time I need a simple change to my business phone service -- or even my service at home."
-- John Ambrust

But it's not just the phone company anymore.

"I have been trying to get a DSL line installed by Verizon Communications (VZ Quote) for a full month, no exaggeration. They have voice menu after voice menu after voice menu. I placed order after order and it was constantly cancelled by a machine. It took two days of being on the phone for hours at a time until a live human being actually checked into the situation.

Yesterday, I read that JetBlue Airways (JBLU Quote) was offering $49 fares to assorted Florida cities. I got on the Internet and found out no such fares were available except from the special deals icon. But, each time I tried that, I got a message that this page was not available, therefore these fares are not available."
-- Elizabeth R.

"Petco (PETC Quote) is one of those companies that has far exceeded the tolerable level of time and toil cost. They don't even have low ... prices, but have tried to trade on the attraction of one-stop shopping for all your pet needs. The sad truth is, they have reduced the sheer numbers of sales associates, completely skipped the training of those associates and adopted sloppy upkeep of the physical stores. The result is a verrrryy long wait at the cash register for the chance to talk to a clerk who doesn't know anything about the animals' needs or the products for sale, and a store that is dirty and disorganized."
-- Sheila Hellman

'We Don't Care'

Even the icons of the economy don't escape unscathed.

"I bought a computer package from Best Buy (BBY Quote) for $500 with rebates. Then I got home and gave up trying to figure out the dozen or so cash register slips and mailing instructions. I threw all of them away and ended up paying $1,100 for my package."
-- Robin Bene