Posted in Customer Service Standards / Tuesday, May 15, 2012
A survey recently released by the American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI) revealed that cell phone subscribers are almost equally satisfied with their carriers.
Posted in Service Strategy / Monday, May 14, 2012
Consumers have become increasingly connected through social media and constant access to data through smartphones, which has led them to expect quicker responses from companies' customer service teams when an issue arises.
Posted in Service Strategy / Thursday, May 10, 2012
According to ForeSee's E-Retail Satisfaction Index, Amazon, QVC, Apple, Keurig and Avon are the five websites earning the most customer satisfaction and loyalty.

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Employee satisfaction equals customer satisfaction
Top 5 perks of mystery shopping
How to fight showrooming, earn customer loyalty
What you'll need to submit to get paid for mystery shopping jobs
Brick-and-mortar retailers can offer personalized service, products to stay competitive
Customers involved in social media less satisfied with service
Industries providing the best customer service
The top five reasons customers go to social media sites for service
Recordkeeping for mystery shoppers
How Apple has earned loyal customers
Integrating social channels and customer service strategies
How to remember a mystery shopping scenario
Banks benefit from mystery shopping to ensure lending compliance
Time management on mystery shopping trips
Avoiding the most common mystery shopping scams
Top beauty brands earn consumers' trust
Where customer loyalty programs are failing and how companies can fix them
A brand's customer base can spark loyalty
Call centers aren't going anywhere - how to improve them
Companies turn to mobile to reach ever-connected customers
Improving call center performance
Service strategies that make businesses successful
Improving customer relationship management on social media
Casinos turning to mobile to drive customer loyalty
Not responding to feedback could cost businesses revenue
Coffee shops pressured to provide high-quality customer service
Stores finding innovative ways to bridge online-offline service gap
Industries that offer personalized services earn the most customer satisfaction
Banks offsetting customer dissatisfaction with fees
How retail stores can stop showrooming
Banking customers want local personalized service
Grocery stores blend new and old customers service strategies
J.C. Penney fair and square pricing plan leaves questions about loyalty
Small businesses lack way to measure loyalty
In-store messaging can interfere with brand loyalty
Lexus investing in customer service initiatives
Brands that drive customer loyalty
Earning happy customers through bad reviews
Engaging in a social customer service strategy
Restaurants can reduce carbon footprint, improve customer satisfaction
Sacrificing service in restaurants can cost servers tips
Increasing revenue by decreasing online shopping cart abandonment
Customer relationship management on and offline
Earning customer loyalty the Ritz-Carlton way
How customer experience earns loyalty, and vice versa
Adapting customer loyalty programs to attract connected customers
Customer experience correlates to revenue, study shows
Half of customers report slow payments at restaurants
The importance of live chat for customer service
Consumers rank best and worst grocery stores
Mobile strategy key to brand survival in digital age
Casinos need better customer satisfaction measurements
Good customer experiences can yield a higher ROI, study finds
Companies can curb negative word-of-mouth with social media
How to keep customers coming back
Some banks embracing social media for customer engagement
Companies need to embrace the social part of CRM
Airlines providing on-time service, leaving customers satisfied
Companies plan to use social media for customer service
High-quality call center support can earn loyalty and sales
Companies not using social channels to their best advantage
Banks could boost customer satisfaction with social media
AT&T invests in existing customers with loyalty program
Improving customer experience and revenue
Wireless providers see declining loyalty
What the most trusted and valued brands have in common
Social media can make or break customer satisfaction
Honesty is the best policy for retailers
Providing better customer service online
Companies focusing on personal service to win customers
Retailers invest in technology to inspire customer satisfaction and loyalty
Customers are looking more than just the best deal
Companies earn top customer loyalty ratings, or satisfaction?
Companies win with timely customer service
iPhone wins for customer satisfaction
Banks, retailers don't necessarily lose loyalty after security breach
Customers more satisfied with automotive dealer service than independent shops
Barnes and Noble earns Customer Service Champion Award
Cable service and internet providers not meeting customer service standards
Tips for improving customer satisfaction surveys
Sears' rescue plan includes technology to improve customer service
Retailers can improve customer loyalty with big data
Some industries are falling short of customers' expectations
Consumers rank fast food companies high for customer satisfaction
Blending customer service and social media marketing
Mobile deals beat brand loyalty, study shows
How companies can get the best return on experience
Gerber revamps ecommerce efforts to meet needs of evolving clientele
Call center representatives get higher reviews from customers
Study finds home improvement shoppers not loyal
Tackling competitors head on with mobile marketing and apps
Demographic targeting key to airport retail
Consumers over 55 aren't happy with retail stores
USAA top credit card issuer
American Express offers top notch customer service
Daily deals inspiring customer loyalty
Grocery store increases sales with customer loyalty
Citigroup enlists smartest computer to improve customer service
Retailers can use smartphones to improve customer service
Bloomingdale's launches new program to encourage customer loyalty
New study finds big banks offering superior customer service
Most loyalty programs don't keep customers coming back
Customer service linked to employee loyalty
Mary Kay cosmetics among top 20 brands that delight customers
NYC cabs could offer better customer service with new credit card processing
How ecommerce stores can improve the customer experience
Contracting company earns customer service award from Angie's List
Using social media to improve customer service
Zappos maintains loyalty with customer service
Study shows customer satisfaction a main driver of retail sales
Customer experience can be improved with mobile payment methods
Big banks losing customers because of poor service
Shoppers not as entranced by mobile shopping as expected
Write the customer into the mission statement
Retailer goes tech-savvy with digital employee
Netflix's customer satisfaction slump offers a cautionary tale for retailers
Southwest Airlines ranks highest in customer experience
Neiman Marcus improving customer service online
Facebook commerce not a hit with customers or retailers
Travelocity scores high for customer satisfaction
Visa has best customer sentiment ranking of card brands
Survey reveals which grocers score the highest in customer satisfaction
Retailers falling short when connecting to tablet followers
PwC offers revenue-growth methodology for airlines
A personalized incentive program
Survey: Kaiser Permanante the most well-liked health insurer
Molding the customer satisfaction survey to perfection
Daily deals are out, social loyalty is in
Company launches loyalty program aimed at money trashers
Discover reigns supreme in credit card loyalty
Coke is the world's most valuable brand
Consumers pay down credit card debt in 49 states
President of Office Depot has mystery shopping experience
'Surprise and delight' is savvy strategy for creating a pleasant shopping atmosphere
User experience is a two-way street
Undercover operation aims to root out student aid fraud
Some restaurants looking to 'right-size' their meal proportions
Social videos can boost retailers online marketing strategies and customer engagement
January sees four-month high in retail sales
Customer service tactics to improve retention
Subscription-based services puts the customer in control
Call center issues to consider
Contractors prefer big box retailers over distributors
Restaurant industry to top $600 billion for the second year in a row
Women-friendly auto dealership list created
How to improve call center agent productivity
Businesses must adapt to quicker modes of customer communication
Consumers want more social media support from brands
Restaurant supply company optimistic for industry
Video mystery shopping among 2012 trends
Are your marketing efforts cohesive and consistent?
AT&T's customer loyalty questioned
Exceeding expectations breeds retention
Homebuilders honored for their customer service
Dunkin' Donuts continues to delight
Super Bowl ad displays customer loyalty for Samsung
Studies analyze automobile loyalty
Report: Online, mobile banking see rising satisfaction
A 'top-down' approach to customer experience management
Avoid ad-hoc management of social media
Study: Customer loyalty falling
Auto insurance customer satisfaction sees slight uptick
Feedback app aims to improve performance management
Insurance incentives keep customers happy, loyal
Dealerships vie for customer satisfaction awards
Dressing rooms get customized treatment
Company offers loyalty program through Facebook
Seminar to discuss expectation matching
Study: High correlation between engaged users and in-app purchases
Printers' top loyalty scores named for fourth quarter
JCPenney announces pricing and marketing overhaul
Restaurants prepare for increased business on Valentine's Day
Study: Retailers making sites more user-friendly
Study: Monetary stress affects performance
Vancouver restaurants test out QR codes
Apparel retailers grab nine of 10 spots in customer service survey
Customer service begins at the top
Product offers incentives for TV loyalty
Mystery shopping initiative reveals Ottawa transit's trash problem
Two of federal government's online offerings earn high marks from ACSI index
Illinois pizza place retains customers with rewards, customer service
Constant Contact brings loyalty to mobile
Sometimes large retailers get it right
Banks bring gaming to the forefront
Staples Canada to improve processes with reports
Angie's List spotlights the most talked-about business sectors in 2011
CRM going mobile
Research investigates how financial institutions can use social media to 'speak' with consumers
Social networks falter when it comes to influencing shoppers
Turning Twitter into a customer service tool
Big banks unlikely to lose customers
Retailers hit email marketing high in 2011
Restaurants to battle for market share in 2012
Study: More people willing to switch banks for loyalty rewards
Customer service initiatives could net retailers $25,000
Foxwoods ups ante on customer service
Mobile coupon redemption rates to hit 8 percent by 2016
Uniform performance management system coming for civil servants
Study: Kohl's has tightest relationship with customers
GUESS utilizes iPad functionality to improve customer service
Mobile coupons help brick-and-mortar retailers compete with ecommerce
In the new year, 'peoplize' store operations
Retailers search for strategies to pump up January business
A recent study from PricewaterhouseCoopers set out to determine if customer loyalty and satisfaction was based on more than just offering rewards.
Survey: Canadians hate waiting in line most
Do your customer relationship strategies translate to the web?
Disengaged employees hurt customer service
Retention more important than acquisition
Survey addresses customer satisfaction in a Missouri city
Are you hiring competent workers?
Call centers an important customer service factor
Gaudet: Price now secondary to customer experience
J.D. Power: Consumers more willing to spend on bikes
The RATER system: Accommodate your online reviewers
Study: Netflix falls, Amazon rises in annual satisfaction poll
Restaurant's customer service initiative designed to compete against top Italian chains
Inspection grades hit Hartford
Majority of South Dakota bus drivers past satisfaction test
Companies' holiday gift return services ranked
Mobile banking initiatives plagued by security concerns
Retailers need to strike respectful balance with point-of-sale research questions
Are your employees prepared for the holiday stretch run?
Mobile technologies improve customer satisfaction and loyalty at Barney's
Consumers prefer research to shopping on mobile devices
Retailers pulling out the stops for final hours of the holiday shopping season
Survey: Utilizing mobile technologies leads to customer satisfaction and loyalty
Tracking U.S. consumer expectations on social media
Sears AutoCenters partner to develop mobile marketing game
Old school cameras offer new school data
Infographic: Customer service has strong outlook in 2012
Tex-Mex restaurant uses secret shoppers to eradicate poor food reputation
Who's monitoring your social media pages?
Travel service makes strides with customer experience surveys
California workers recognized by secret shoppers
Customers becoming more vocal than ever
Washington rail system hires mystery shopping firm
More than one-quarter of Americans plan to give restaurant gift cards
U.S Banks score high on American Customer Satisfaction Index
Consumers are holding out for free shipping
Retail customer service simpler than it sounds
100 million Americans to dine out on New Year's Eve
Mobile apps and sites are a requisite of retail strategy
Without a hit holiday toy, retailers strategize
Tap into consumer emotions with sonic branding
December ASCI: CUs soar, big banks still behind
Study looks at retailers' webpage efficiency
Malaysian company looks to enhance customer satisfaction and loyalty with family-oriented casinos
Survey finds some retailers lack customer service
Verizon tops major carrier customer satisfaction, AT&T falters
Big banks make headway in customer satisfaction
Are you adapting to loyalty trends?
Small gestures equal big gains during holidays
Some customer service call centers more effective than others on Cyber Monday
Retailers can improve customer experience via text message
Retail etiquette tips to remember
Customer satisfaction initiatives grow in down economy
Yelp provides customer satisfaction management benchmarks
Rising holiday ecommerce figures put pressure on retailers
Study: Businesses not upselling with authority
Study: Empty shelves result in loyalty loss
Location-based app used at Apple store
Are restrooms a window to a business' soul?
The repercussions of poor customer service
Customer satisfaction up at banks
Performance management should be quick and frequent
Businesses acknowledge customer satisfaction across all sectors
Retail customer service ranked by consumers
Retailers increasingly using social media to collect consumer experiences
Jobs and the tenets of customer experience management
Half of all Americans to shop on Black Friday weekend
Last-minute discounts may be tough for holiday shoppers to find
Restaurateurs see increased focus on consumer interactivity and transparency
How small retailers can leverage customer service to remain competitive this holiday season
Cash-strapped consumers focusing limited cash on valuable gifts this holiday season
More than three-quarters of Americans concerned about restaurant food waste
Payment options may impact product perception
Shoppers tune in to atmospherics
Discounted products now the norm, expected among shoppers
Make sure you collect and retain your mystery shopping receipts
Consumers relying less on credit for grocery purchases
Consumers trying new fashion retailers in spite of weak economy
Radio and TV still top channels for discovering music
American consumers still holding on to checks
Alcohol sales in bars and restaurants to grow next year
Financial troubles among seniors may impact consumer sector
Online retail continues strong monthly growth
Air travel tips for the holiday season
Are Facebook 'Likes' all they're hyped up to be?
Online retailers need to prepare for 'Peak Week'
Organizing a timely payment schedule for mystery shopping assignments
Consumer debt continues to worry Americans
Online research and exclusive deals highlight this year's shopping season
Mothers points to the future of shopping
Large food portions: Indicative of status?
Study: Demand for organic food swells despite slow economy
Prepare for the holiday season by noting key shopping dates
Only 12 percent of consumers report unfair treatment by credit card companies
Consumers looking for monetary incentives from their banks
Restaurant owner optimism spikes in September
Customers consider leaving banks over debit card fees
Retail executives fairly optimistic about sales growth
One in three Americans don't have cash to spend
Consumers increasingly demand fuel-efficient vehicles
A few notes on mystery shop payment methods
Tap water begins to gather elbow room in restaurant beverage orders
Consumer confidence a tricky issue this season
Are men more active social shoppers and users than women?
The many perks of mystery shopping forums
Despite conditions, cash to remain popular payment method
Businesses may be forced to adopt innovative pricing strategy
Popular worldwide, online shopping shows varying market preferences
U.S. consumers underestimate their credit card debts
Twitter followers more likely to shop with or recommend a brand
Mystery shopping tip: Take a break to avoid stress
Consumers flock online for electronics sales
How does privacy relate to today's consumers?
Consumers want more behavior insights from financial institutions
Anemic job market points to mystery shopping opportunities
Consumer spending dipped in September but prospects remain
Prepare for the holidays by following the evolution of today's shoppers
A high value on money and materialism may harm relationships
Banks need to leverage online benefits in order to engage customers
Some U.S. cities considering ban on plastic shopping bags
Reports point to need for diverse marketing in auto insurance market
Retail CFOs split over inventory management this holiday season
U.S. consumers to be 'careful' this holiday shopping season
There are now more cell phones than people in the U.S.
Consumers leverage social media for auto purchases
Global consumers: Value trumps price
Canadians use grocery flyers in wake of recession
When do shoppers make a purchase decision?
Consumer spending, incomes dipped last year
Many retailers in the U.S. and Europe not ready for mobile commerce
In Europe, Men gravitate to online shopping more than women
Americans are more frugal shoppers after the recession
Self-checkout: Yay or nay?
Banks beginning to source new revenues from consumers
Mature consumers: A growing market segment
Advice for not raising suspicion on a mystery shopping assignment
Recognizing customers may improve loyalty
Businesses make customer loyalty a top objective
Customers may be prompted to write a negative review over a positive one
Retail finance chiefs expect strongest annual gains since before recession
Study assesses industries according to customer satisfaction
Facebook updates more important than friends?
Glucose levels affect brain's ability to make reasonable shopping choices
Banks showing improvement, despite slow consumer sentiment
Engaging with fellow mystery shoppers online
Banks begin simplifying credit card contract language
Shoppers increasingly wary of online fraud
Despite slow economy, majority of Americans plan to spend
Study examines nature of consumer struggles
Shoppers want to see product 'sustainability scores'
Nearly three-quarters of moms to shop online this holiday season
Despite economy, Halloween spending may stay level this year
Most social users also shop online
Despite economy, Americans still opting for organic foods
How game mechanics work in the consumer space
The importance of customer service in a troubled economy
Small businesses may not be leveraging social media to their full advantage
Gen-Y consumers shaped by events of the past decade
More than one-quarter of Americans don't know how to cook
Consumer credit and spending up this summer
Engaging consumers on Facebook
Retail spending expected to grow during holiday season
Knowledgeable employees are key to reaching Millennials
The difference between tablet and smartphone users
Online reviews sway consumers' purchasing decisions
Three-quarters of adult consumers have used online coupons
Tips to control nerves on your first mystery shopping assignment
A relaxed environment may prompt shoppers to spend more
Consumer borrowing should be a sign for businesses
Mistakes to avoid on a mystery shopping assignment
Tips for becoming a 'greener' mystery shopper
Irene aftermath may pose challenge to retailers
Despite economy, consumers still prefer quality shopping atmosphere
Consumer-driven recession: 80 percent likely?
Landing your first mystery shopping gig
Time for back-to-school mystery shopping
Consumers don't understand critical energy saving practices
Massachusetts tops list of states with highest confidence in personal finances
How coupons affect the shopping experience
Tablets appeal to work/life balance, but customer service function is key
Economists: Recession unlikely but slow recovery to last
Baby Boomers fairly adept with smartphones, study finds
Consumers, the economy and credit cards
Holiday marketing begins with establishing connections
Customers seek ability to research brands
To generate loyalty, focus on relations, community and experience
Millennials seek affirmation for their purchases
Fuel efficiency practices likely motivated by finances, not environment
Shoppers increasingly wary of online retail security
Consumers more satisfied with credit cards
Regular coffee still preferable to specialty alternatives
Smartphones are harmonizing retail prices
More than one-quarter of U.S. retailers lack mobile presence
Consumers not likely to be moved by low interest rates
Chinese households save more than U.S.
States debate soundness of sales tax holidays
New study suggests attractive shoppers can hurt sales
Employed Americans becoming more frugal with finances
Studies suggests consumers unsure how to handle their money
Tips for bank mystery shopping assignments
Consumers trust credit card firms when it comes to mobile payments
Self-checkouts a bonus among U.S. and Canadian grocery shoppers
Many consumers willing to pay more for quality audio
Consumers borrowed at highest level in four years in June
Jobs report may foreshadow consumer activity
Eating healthy may be more expensive than many thought
Appliance shoppers may favor service over merchandise and price
Americans less able to afford auto repairs
Survey evaluates consumers' top complaints
Survey finds a need for better customer service
Consumer demand for mobile payments expected to surge
Mystery shopping and guerrilla marketing
Retailers need to secure their Wi-Fi networks
Is it time to acquire MSPA certification?
WSJ: Employers not hiring due to weak demand
Back-to-school shopping may drop this summer
Consumer activity may jump on signs of private sector pay gains
When it comes to buying a new car, finances are the worst
Start with customer service to improve marketing and sales
Texting as a consumer research tool?
Spread of smartphones changing the game for consumers and marketers
Consumers adopting mobile but security remains an issue
Social buying expected to become holiday mainstay
Customer loyalty in the fragile retail industry
Draft a mystery shopping checklist
Restaurants struggle to address consumers' health-value scale
Despite market gains, Americans cutting back on expenses
Stay in tune with your mystery shopping program
Burger growing in popularity among U.S. consumers
Grocery stores lacking customer service standards
Customer service vs. customer loyalty
Americans opt for 'natural' or 'organic' food labels
Consumers taking shorter trips to the grocery store
Emotional intelligence and the restaurant industry
Confidence among consumers dipped again in June
Consumers ambivalent about clothes shopping in U.S., but more enthusiastic elsewhere
Gender roles in mystery shopping
Mystery shopping as a legal research strategy?
Superior customer service heralds competitive edge
In developing a mystery shopping program, plan for the results
Grocery shoppers spending less, opting for store brands
Organized retail theft/crime a growing problem
Senate rejects move to postpone 'swipe fee' limit
Retail marketing survey points to growing popularity of web channels
Video games more popular among adult consumers
Nearly two-thirds of American consumers 'walk out' on poor service
Customer communications essential in generating trust
Survey reveals consumers' Father's Day spending plans
Hotels to witness business travel surge this summer
Consumers content with pay-TV subscriptions
Shoppers using mobile to research and look for deals
Cap on debit card swipe fees remains hot debate
More Americans engaging with mobile payments
Restaurateurs adopting sustainability efforts in response to consumer demand
Mystery shopping a win-win
U.S. consumers to focus spending on travel this summer
Consumer demand shifting to mobile payments
Two-thirds of mothers use smartphones while shopping
Survey shows consumers' media preferences
Consumers more interested in fuel-efficient cars
Report: Americans sacrificing food/shopping for gasoline
Study: Majority of consumers believe food/restaurant prices are rising
Mystery shopping survey evaluates best motorcycle brands
Slow pace of consumer spending points to need for mystery shopping research
Mall apps launched to improve customer shopping experience