Companies Using "Because of COVID" As An Excuse For Poor Service

[QSK19]

Have you told them that you feel this is ridiculous?

I am genuinely wondering if it's all a big misunderstanding and they realise it's ridiculous, but keep it up out of a mistaken belief that their customers want it, because the customers won't say anything because they provide such a good service and are afraid of being told to take their business elsewhere.

I think it’s because they’re extreme doves when it comes to the hawk vs dove outlook on Covid.

I am admittedly very much a hawk and do feel it’s way over the top to say the least; but so long as I’m getting excellent service from them, I’ll let them have their quasi-lockdown without kicking up a fuss. It’s very much a one-man band outfit and I want to support small, local businesses. Whether other customers feel less forgiving is their business - I would hope, though, that the company does eventually see that we’re not in 2020 anymore!

 

[VauxhallandI]

Have you told them that you feel this is ridiculous?

I am genuinely wondering if it's all a big misunderstanding and they realise it's ridiculous, but keep it up out of a mistaken belief that their customers want it, because the customers won't say anything because they provide such a good service and are afraid of being told to take their business elsewhere.

Exactly this, people tripping over themselves to look like they are doing the right thing and folks too weak to call them out

 

[QSK19]

Exactly this, people tripping over themselves to look like they are doing the right thing and folks too weak to call them out

I wouldn’t say I’m too weak to call them out - as I say, I’m very much a hawk and despise lockdowns; however, I wouldn’t compromise a very fruitful business relationship just because the other company are a bunch of doves.

Now, if they’re going to criticise me for being fundamentally opposed to them on the lockdown/restrictions argument, that’s something different (I won’t tolerate being lectured to and told my viewpoint is wrong); but nobody is directly questioning the other’s standpoint; so I’ll continue as is. I won’t hesitate to stop dealing with them if needed, though.

 

[VauxhallandI]

I wouldn’t say I’m too weak to call them out - as I say, I’m very much a hawk and despise lockdowns; however, I wouldn’t compromise a very fruitful business relationship just because the other company are a bunch of doves.

Now, if they’re going to criticise me for being fundamentally opposed to them on the lockdown/restrictions argument, that’s something different (I won’t tolerate being lectured to and told my viewpoint is wrong); but nobody is directly questioning the other’s standpoint; so I’ll continue as is. I won’t hesitate to stop dealing with them if needed, though.

Sorry I didn’t mean to pick on you, it’s more of a general acceptance by people of what is wrong and the lack of awareness of how that behaviour can creep us in a direction

 

[QSK19]

Sorry I didn’t mean to pick on you, it’s more of a general acceptance by people of what is wrong and the lack of awareness of how that behaviour can creep us in a direction

Nah I knew you weren’t doing so - and completely agree with you

 

[greyman42]

I think it’s because they’re extreme doves when it comes to the hawk vs dove outlook on Covid.

I am admittedly very much a hawk and do feel it’s way over the top to say the least; but so long as I’m getting excellent service from them, I’ll let them have their quasi-lockdown without kicking up a fuss. It’s very much a one-man band outfit and I want to support small, local businesses. Whether other customers feel less forgiving is their business - I would hope, though, that the company does eventually see that we’re not in 2020 anymore!

I would refuse to use this company on principle.

 

[MotCO]

In December 2020, the post box opposite my house was sealed off while a wide footpath was converted to a cycle path and narrower footpath. Perfectly understandable.

However, when the pavement works were completed, the post box was not reopened. I asked the Post Office when it would reopen, and they said that "all work of this nature is currently suspended due to the COVID 19 pandemic". Despite Covid, the post box was able to be sealed; however, it sems as though Covid prevented the box from being reopened, with no explanation given. The post box is out in the open, and does not present any abnormal Covid risk.

After 6 months, and a lot of chasing, the box was reopened in June 2021.

 

[Kite159]

In December 2020, the post box opposite my house was sealed off while a wide footpath was converted to a cycle path and narrower footpath. Perfectly understandable.

However, when the pavement works were completed, the post box was not reopened. I asked the Post Office when it would reopen, and they said that "all work of this nature is currently suspended due to the COVID 19 pandemic". Despite Covid, the post box was able to be sealed; however, it sems as though Covid prevented the box from being reopened, with no explanation given. The post box is out in the open, and does not present any abnormal Covid risk.

After 6 months, and a lot of chasing, the box was reopened in June 2021.

They were probably hoping nobody would kick up a fuss and it would quietly get removed citing "no demand" (when ignoring that it was sealed up).

 

[duncanp]

They were probably hoping nobody would kick up a fuss and it would quietly get removed citing "no demand" (when ignoring that it was sealed up).

That is what my local branch of Barclays Bank did.

It closed "due to COVID", and then reopened for about 4 hours each day, on only three days of the week.

They then closed it due to "lack of demand" and "the fact that people travel to other nearby banks"

Well of course they travel to other nearby banks if you only open the <bleeping> bank on a part time basis.

 

[Kite159]

That is what my local branch of Barclays Bank did.

It closed "due to COVID", and then reopened for about 4 hours each day, on only three days of the week.

They then closed it due to "lack of demand" and "the fact that people travel to other nearby banks"

Well of course they travel to other nearby banks if you only open the <bleeping> bank on a part time basis.

Same as many other banks, reduce the hours to be nearly unusable by those who work Monday - Fridays (not opening on Saturdays) so those users find alternative means. Perfect excuse to ditch the costly branches

Think the last time I've been to my actual bank branch was the end of last year when I cashed in some old pound coins I had been collecting through work for the last 3 years.

 

[MotCO]

They were probably hoping nobody would kick up a fuss

They obviously didn't know me!

 

[Freightmaster]

That is what my local branch of Barclays Bank did.

It closed "due to COVID", and then reopened for about 4 hours each day, on only three days of the week.

They then closed it due to "lack of demand" and "the fact that people travel to other nearby banks"

Well of course they travel to other nearby banks if you only open the <bleeping> bank on a part time basis.

The old 'self fulfilling prophecy' trick - works every time!







MARK

 

[Tom B]

I visited Wilkos at Watford Harlequin today. The entrance/exit into the Harlequin itself was closed "due to covid". Quite how covid is kept away by the closure of a connecting door is unspecified.

 

[yorkie]

At a local estate agents that I do business with, several weeks ago I had to: wear a mask; have my temperature taken; fill out one of their “contract tracing” forms; sanitise my hands; maintain 2 metres’ distance from one of the desks; take the pen I had used with me; and to cap it all off, was given an NHS leaflet on self-isolating if I had Covid symptoms! They probably still go outside their home each Thursday evening to clap for the NHS, bless them.

It really did feel like July 2020 after we’d just emerged from the first lockdown, not 2022! Were it not for the fact that they’re the best branch I’ve ever dealt with and are very reasonable with their management fees, I’d have given up on them!

The owner is probably on the hard left of the political spectrum.

I visited Wilkos at Watford Harlequin today. The entrance/exit into the Harlequin itself was closed "due to covid". Quite how covid is kept away by the closure of a connecting door is unspecified.

I suspect someone at the store thinks the door is best left closed on a more permanent basis and the sign just hasn't been updated accordingly.

Sadly at my workplace there is a lot of outdated signage but I think it's because the relevant team who would remove it are understaffed. Well, that and some of the stickers are of the sort where they are difficult to remove...

 

[takno]

The owner is probably on the hard left of the political spectrum.

Would be slightly surprisingly in an Estate Agent

 

[LowLevel]

The owner is probably on the hard left of the political spectrum.


I suspect someone at the store thinks the door is best left closed on a more permanent basis and the sign just hasn't been updated accordingly.

Sadly at my workplace there is a lot of outdated signage but I think it's because the relevant team who would remove it are understaffed. Well, that and some of the stickers are of the sort where they are difficult to remove...

A hard left leaning socialist estate agent? Chance would be a fine thing

 

[QSK19]

The owner is probably on the hard left of the political spectrum.

If I had to take a punt on their political leanings in my various interactions with them, I would say that they’re certainly on the left - probably moderates; but they certainly don’t fit the bill for right-wingers!

A hard left leaning socialist estate agent? Chance would be a fine thing

 

[43066]

The owner is probably on the hard left of the political spectrum.

Would be slightly surprisingly in an Estate Agent

A hard left leaning socialist estate agent? Chance would be a fine thing

Their being as thick as mince is more likely! Don’t get me started on estate agents…

 

[Watershed]

The showers at Aberdeen station are still out of use... "due to Covid"

 

[duncanp]

The showers at Aberdeen station are still out of use... "due to Covid"

Nothing to do with the fact that they can save money by keeping them closed then?

 

[DelayRepay]

Nothing to do with the fact that they can save money by keeping them closed then?

That's a bit like Sainsburys and Tesco near me - both shops have their clothing fitting rooms closed "because of Covid".

I guess that sounds better than "because we don't want to pay to staff them, and they're being used as store rooms"!

I've booked a ticket for an outdoor event in a couple of weeks. The organiser has promised to comply with all current covid protocols. That's good to know

 

[Silver Cobra]

That's a bit like Sainsburys and Tesco near me - both shops have their clothing fitting rooms closed "because of Covid".

I guess that sounds better than "because we don't want to pay to staff them, and they're being used as store rooms"!

That’s exactly what we did with our former fitting room at the supermarket I work in. After around 6 months of it being closed following the first lockdown, we converted it into the storage area for non-grocery Click & Collect orders, removing all signage indicating we even had a fitting room.

While it would be better if they did reinstate them, if neither Tesco or Sainsbury’s intend to reinstate their fitting rooms, the least they could do is remove any and all signs for them like we have.

 

[Darandio]

This afternoon my daughter needed a replacement birth certificate as the one we had available doesn't have enough details on it to satisfy those who required it. rang the registry office where she was originally registered to be greeted with a good 90 seconds of Covid related messaging. Finally got through to someone and it turns out I can no longer turn up and pay the token fee to get one printed out immediately due to it being strictly by appointment only for safety reasons such as social distancing. Conveniently they would allow me to fill in an online form and pay £35 to get it sent out immediately, it's urgent so I have no choice. Nice little earner.

For the avoidance of doubt this charade didn't exist prior to this nonsense, although many services such as registration required an appointment you could (and I did) visit ad hoc to obtain a replacement.

 

[duncanp]

This afternoon my daughter needed a replacement birth certificate as the one we had available doesn't have enough details on it to satisfy those who required it. rang the registry office where she was originally registered to be greeted with a good 90 seconds of Covid related messaging. Finally got through to someone and it turns out I can no longer turn up and pay the token fee to get one printed out immediately due to it being strictly by appointment only for safety reasons such as social distancing. Conveniently they would allow me to fill in an online form and pay £35 to get it sent out immediately, it's urgent so I have no choice. Nice little earner.

For the avoidance of doubt this charade didn't exist prior to this nonsense, although many services such as registration required an appointment you could (and I did) visit ad hoc to obtain a replacement.

I wouldn't mind betting that soon registration of death will require the signature of the deceased.

 

[QSK19]

I wouldn't mind betting that soon registration of death will require the signature of the deceased.

Or that a newborn baby will have to confirm his or her full name him/herself when registering the birth! Whilst this is slightly OT, I was speaking to somebody about my son’s swimming classes when he was 4 months old - the person demanded that he (my son) spoke to them to confirm his personal details in order to activate his account on the online booking portal

 

[Tom B]

Realistically, if a service that was removed "due to covid" hasn't been reinstated by now, it's most probably not happening at all. A convenient excuse though.

 

[duncanp]

More COVID bedwetting.

This time it is the Edinburgh Festival fireworks which have been cancelled "... due to the pandemic..."

The excuse is

A spokeswoman for the Edinburgh International Festival said: "We won't be staging the fireworks this year due to planning times coming out of the pandemic.

What a load of bunkum.

How come they managed to stage fireworks for the Queens Platinum Jubilee. And exactly why do "...planning times coming out of the pandemic..." mean that you can't stage the fireworks which, after all, are an outdoor event.

Edinburgh Festival Fireworks display will not take place this year

The event is traditionally the grand finale of the Edinburgh International Festival.

www.bbc.co.uk

Edinburgh Festival Fireworks display will not take place this year​

The annual fireworks display which traditionally signals the end of the Edinburgh International Festival will not take place this year.
The 45-minute show from Edinburgh Castle, which began in 1982, usually attracts more than 250,000 spectators.
The display did not take place in 2020 or 2021 due to Covid restrictions.
Organisers said the pandemic had also led to the cancellation of the fireworks this year, which is the 75th anniversary of the festival.
A spokeswoman for the Edinburgh International Festival said: "We won't be staging the fireworks this year due to planning times coming out of the pandemic.
"However, we will still have a large-scale free event in Princes Street Gardens."
A live performance by the Philadelphia Orchestra in the Edinburgh Playhouse will be streamed to the Ross Bandstand on Saturday 27 August.

The fireworks have been described as one of the biggest pyrotechnic shows on earth.
People buy tickets to watch the event from Princes Street Gardens, which sits under Edinburgh Castle.
Huge crowds also watch from Princes Street, which is not ticketed, and other vantage points across the city.
The fireworks usually accompany a live performance from the Scottish Chamber Orchestra in a bandstand in Princes Street Gardens, which is aired on radio for people outside the gardens to hear.
There are usually about 400,000 fireworks in the display, using four tonnes of explosives synchronised to music from the orchestra.

 

[Baxenden Bank]

More COVID bedwetting.

This time it is the Edinburgh Festival fireworks which have been cancelled "... due to the pandemic..."

The excuse is



What a load of bunkum.

How come they managed to stage fireworks for the Queens Platinum Jubilee. And exactly why do "...planning times coming out of the pandemic..." mean that you can't stage the fireworks which, after all, are an outdoor event.

Edinburgh Festival Fireworks display will not take place this year

The event is traditionally the grand finale of the Edinburgh International Festival.

www.bbc.co.uk

Reads to me like someone didn't decide early enough to hit the 'go' button. Quite what the lead time is to organise such an event I don't know but many events start planning as soon as the current one ends. Plus I guess we are not talking about buying cheap sparklers from the dodgy pop-up shop! Whether the cancellation can honestly be blamed on 'Covid' is another thing. Surely a chance to get a 'Brexit' in there too?

Some thoughts - lack of organisers (retired, found something else at the same time), failure to book organisers (disorganised, uncertain if going ahead), lack of support staff (safety marshalls etc), lack of fireworks (cost/supply chain).

 

[Broucek]

To be fair, although there's nothing wrong with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, they are not remotely in the league of the Philadelphia Orchestra (think Motherwell vs. Inter Milan) so that's a BIG upgrade if you like classical music.

But it's not well worded, is it?! The point is that the overhang of lockdown has messed up supply chains which doesn't really come over in the quote.

 

[duncanp]

Reads to me like someone didn't decide early enough to hit the 'go' button. Quite what the lead time is to organise such an event I don't know but many events start planning as soon as the current one ends. Plus I guess we are not talking about buying cheap sparklers from the dodgy pop-up shop! Whether the cancellation can honestly be blamed on 'Covid' is another thing. Surely a chance to get a 'Brexit' in there too?

Some thoughts - lack of organisers (retired, found something else at the same time), failure to book organisers (disorganised, uncertain if going ahead), lack of support staff (safety marshalls etc), lack of fireworks (cost/supply chain).

This may be true, but if this is the case, then why not just tell the truth.

After all, the rest of the Edinburgh Festival has gone ahead, with venues at full capacity, no mandatory face masks and no social distancing.

So it seems to me to be a bit of a stretch to blame COVID.