Since when?! Maybe it's an age thing, but I remember a time when it was 10% and 15 was considered generous. I still consider 15 standard and 20 is more when you get actual good, above standard, service.

On several occasions I have told the manager that the automatic 18% or 20% was too high for the level of service received. Only once was I refused a partial refund. Guess which place I have never gone back to?

I've gone anywhere from 1¢ glued to the table (by freezing using salt and water) to 100%. It really depends on the service.

"standard is 15%, 20%, and 25% depending on service so there's nothing new there"

Don't let CA Pinkham from Jezebel/Kitchenette see this, or she'll rip you a new one for "taking food from my babies mouths" for not double tipping! Not only is she adamant on tipping being 20% (I never remember voting on this), she also wants $15 an hour, and percentage of sales as standard waiter pay. In her world,…

The customer attitude and experience is directly shaped by the company, the policies, the customer service rep, and the customer themselves.

What each player puts into the pot is what everyone in the pot gets.

A customer service experience can go well. And everyone is happy.

The experience can go downhill... and…

I own a car with a dual clutch transmission and have driven a variety of cars with conventional automatics that allow gear changes. They're barely on the same planet in terms of operation. In my DSG, the shifts are crisp and immediately, very much like a manual operated by someone who's always attentive and precise.…

Because it has two clutches instead of a torque converter, so the shifts are MUCH faster. There's also less driveline loss due to the lack of a torque converter. And you can select your own gears.

Compare this with looking down and checking your speedometer.

It's sorta like this, from more automatic to more manual-

Not at all. He kept continuing the conversation, even asking questions himself.

People, PLEASE DO THIS:

Somewhat OT: I recently canceled my DirecTV subscription. Sent everything back, yadda yadda ydadda.

There is a difference between respectfully attempting to retain a customer and outright harassment using misdirection and repetitive questioning. A revised incentive / commission system will do them some good. But I wouldn't expect any changes.

Find a new job then. Retention should be "Well we can give you a good deal if you stay...no? Okay I'll cancel then. Thanks for being a subscriber"

If comcast is choosing to pay you less because you're failing to manipulate people out of their money, that's comcast's responsibility. I am not responsible and I will not be held responsible for the rate of pay a private corporation I have no stake in chooses to pay its employees.

I do agree it's an unenviable…

Doesn't excuse harassment, being deceitful or a dick as many of the people are within these types of companies. Just because you have a shit job you need to keep, doesn't mean you should shit on other people who may or may not be having a rough time themselves and don't want to spend more money than they really need…

I have zero sympathy for an employee of a company that doesn't want to abide by the wishes of the consumer.

Maybe not. Every time I call customer service I get the message that, "this call may be recorded for blah blah blah..." That constitutes the informing of the parties that the call is being recorded. If it's good enough for them, then I bet it's good enough for me to turn around and record them on the exact same phone…

A few years ago my husband had gotten laid off his job. I tried to do the responsible thing and called everyone we had bills with to try and work out deferments or let them know we'd be late. Everyone, except Comcast, was really great. Comcast said there was nothing they could do unless I chose to renew for another…