not really a customer story, just an annoyance that we have to put up with every day.

my music store is the 60th store of the chain - we opened on September 11th, 2012. From what I'm told by my store manager, the construction process, which included a renovation because the building was already intact - came in under budget. Part of that lack of spending is the fact that we have THE SHITTIEST phones in the world.

for example: most calls that we get pass as normal. if you're calling my store from a land line, chances are it'll be clear, but quiet. even putting the receiver volume at max will still require straining of your ears. however, calling from a cell phone is different. 90% of cell calls are a garbled mess of static. most calls go like this:

ESG: [Music store chain, location], this is ESG.

caller: [completely garbled mess]

ESG: sir, I can't really understand you. can you back off your phone's mic a little bit?

caller: [annoyed garbled mess]

ESG: I'm sorry, sir, I still can't really hear you. Our phones aren't the greatest. Can you try backing off again?

caller: [more garbled mess, slightly more annoyed tone]

ESG: Okay, sir, I'm going to have to ask you to either call from a land line if you can or perhaps adjust your gain on your phone. Okay?

caller: [garbled mess of static]

The folks at head office refuse to do anything (probably because they can't really) and the phone company just shrugs their shoulders. whatever, it's a minor thing compared to parents of musical children who see us as the enemy because their kid doesn't like sports.