Be careful what you say.....

Overture closed account instantly

[The_Hitcher]

Got this from one of my clients today via MSN:

Before i went away, i asked overture, if they could simplify their lay out (its just so weird) also mentiond how does one cancel the contract - only asked mind you....email yesterday, your account has now been closed!

Quote:

This is an email to confirm that your Overture UK account ***** is now closed.
The remaining balance on your account will be refunded to your credit card ending in the last four digits of ****. Please allow 3-5 business days for the refund to be processed.

Great way to hang on to customers eh?

[edited by: The_Hitcher at 2:21 pm (utc) on Aug. 23, 2005]

[sem4u]

Sometimes they are just so stupid.

I am struggling to even access my accounts today! :(

[The_Hitcher]

Still chatting to my client. He says its too complicated to use and at a rough guess it has (at most) 5% impact on his business. On that basis he thinks them shutting his account probably did him a favour. Google adwords yup - this no.

lol

[sem4u]

Roll on MSN...

[luckychucky]

how does one cancel the contract - only asked mind you....

I dunno. On the one hand, maybe Yahoo could have tenderly solicited his gripes ie: 'Please help us to understand where we have done anything wrong, how can we make it better for you, what can we do to keep your business, etc."

On the other hand, he asked them how to cancel his contract. They replied with 'No worries - we've already taken care of it for you.' From their perspective, they do not want to continue charging for services after he has apparently expressed a desire to not have that happen anymore. One might conclude, au contraire, that they just gave him efficient customer service, and they're very much on the ball.

If he appended "just asking, mind you" to his query, then it might be a different story. Unfortunately, Yahoo's not psychic...I'd venture to guess he didn't 'just ask'. From the rest of his complaints you've mentioned, I wouldn't be surprised if the question was asked within the context of a somewhat irate rant.

And (I can't believe I'm actually defending them, but) What's too complicated about Yahoo? They're simpler than Google. At least you get to see your competitors' bids, for one thing. Maybe 'too complicated' translates to 'too many features. I don't have time to program this VCR, I don't have time or mental energy to run a Pay Per Click ad campaign, because it requires my constant care & attention' -- just like any other highly competitive, high-stakes, and ever-shifting auction marketplace.

[The_Hitcher]

Valid points LuckyChucky (you've really sat and thought about that). That said, you would think that they'd be more inclined to hang on to customers rather than just hit an off button. Its the opposite of that feeling of impending doom you get when you walk in some stores and you get pounced on with a "Can I help you sir?" - lol.

Don't think my client misses it though. Says he's opened a tin of chicken soup in celebration :)