We finally found something that we really hate dealing with, here in France. Customer Service. The attitude of customer service people here in France is quite different from customer service people in the USA. Here in France… the customer is not always right–even when they are.
JOIN OUR CHANNEL WITH A PAID MEMBERSHIP FOR ADDED VIDEOS & *BONUS PERKS (*some membership levels include personal invites to our monthly private meetups) https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC03il00WAeO7CJvKmcdEYdw/join
SUBSCRIBE TO 0UR CHANNEL:
https://www.youtube.com/@postcardsfromourgoldenyears
WE’RE THRILLED TO ANNOUNCE THE PREMIERE OF JEFF’S OWN YOUTUBE CHANNEL! It’s called “Jeff In Nice”. Be sure to check it out and subscribe and help him grow his own channel too. Here’s a link to his channel- www.youtube.com/@JeffInNice
Celebrating the 4th Birthday of our channel! Thanks for your help! Over 643,700 views, almost 6300 Subscribers…and growing everyday!
SOME OF OUR MOST RECENT VIDEOS:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC03il00WAeO7CJvKmcdEYdw/videos
IF YOU LIKE OUR VIDEOS, SUPPORT OUR CHANNEL!
BUY US A WINE! https://buymeacoffee.com/postcards (*DON’T FORGET THE “S” ON POSTCARDS, OR YOU’LL BE BUYING SOMEONE ELSE A WINE!)
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Threads: PostcardsFromMyGoldenYears
Twitter @AHSinNaples
Instagram: PostcardsFromMyGoldenYears
Pinterest: PostcardsFromMyGolden Years
Check out An’s Substack “Annie In Nice” – https://annieinnice.substack.com/
CONTACT US (PostcardsFromMyGoldenYears@Gmail.com) all business and collaboration inquiries *PLEASE NOTE-For our safety and well being,, we request that if you are contacting us to request a private meeting, here in Nice, France, you provide us with more than just your full name. Tell us a little about yourself and your interest in meeting us. We like to know a bit about the people we’re meeting, so we’re not total strangers when we meet. 🙂 Thanks for your understanding.
JOIN OUR FACEBOOK GROUP AND CHAT WITH OTHER SUBSCRIBERS AND SUPPORTERS: “Postcards From Our Golden Years” – https://www.facebook.com/groups/712424457148800
Hi! We are An and Jeff Scott, two happily retired septuagenarians from the USA, who had a dream. That dream was to retire in France. So, we sold most of our “stuff”, packed and shipped the rest, and with our bossy little Yorkie, Bella, said “goodbye” to the USA. In 2024, we moved from the sunny coast of southwest Florida to the sunny coast of the south of France, to enjoy our “golden years” and embrace the “joie de vivre” available to us, here in beautiful Nice, France.
Moving from the USA to a foreign country was no small “project”. Through our videos, we’ve been taking you through the Long Stay Visa process, the packing, the purging, the moving, searching for an apartment, creating a great Dossier, learning the way things are done administratively in France, and sharing the steps, talking about what we’ve learned and the ups and the downs.
And now, we continue to share our life, our new life, here in Nice, getting settled, adjusting to the “French” way of doing things, dealing with the French “red tape”, reveling in the beauty of the world around us…and all the while, making every wonderful day in Nice, the best day ever…
SUBSCRIBE, FOR FREE, to our channel and come with us!
MUSIC CREDITS: (Most of our music comes from the artists of Epidemic Sound)
ES_Happy Go Lucky by Victor Lundberg
Most of our videos are shot with An’s Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Smartphone and a circular ring light, as needed. And, in this video, we’re using our Rode Wireless Go II Microphones, for clear sound.
41 Comments
Yes ignorent very much I have seen that in France desole Madame 😂
He’s a character 😊😊🤣👍👍
This video made my day 😅😅😅
They must remove makeup first I used to work there 😊
Ur such a strong lady 😍😍😍
Love your storytelling. Hilarious too. Outrageous customer service experiences. Very frustrating!
I’ve lived in the Netherlands and Italy. Similar experiences there w customer service compared to the US. However, Japan is another story. Customer service and politeness there is superb!
Living in France, I’ve had NUMEROUS customer service issues, almost all of which were related to substantial purchases, mediocre finishing touches in my new apartment & deliveries. After going to battle in French for each and every one of them, I ended up prevailing all but once. I would have preferred not to have had to, but well, you understand. In spite of my “wins”, I’m not saying that second-rate customer service here isn’t the norm, because it is – France is notorious for it! Funny enough, recently, a (French) friend mentioned to a cafe owner when she went to pay that our coffees tasted strange, almost undrinkable. To that the owner simply claimed that the machine probably needed to be cleaned, and didn’t offer any sort of compensation (I didn’t get involved, because it was my friend’s treat; ugh, not only was it my first time at that place, it was also my last). On the other hand, I recently went for a coffee at one of my regular spots, and after sitting for a bit the manager felt that I was waiting too long to have my order taken. I told her it was ok, I was only getting a coffee, not a big deal. But shortly thereafter, a server brought my coffee, the manager brought over two mini pastries on the house and when I went to pay, the manager refused to take my money. Lovely! – To answer the Monoprix question: You have 30 days to return an unused item with its original tags.
This one thing I am happy about going back to the states. People need to realize that moving and living in a foreign country (no matter what country) is way different than visiting. When visiting, you are often staying in a hotel, going to restaurants and cafes and will be treated much differently because they want your tourism dollars. But when you live here as a resident, you are dealing with the same issues many other residents of that area, citizens or expats. Learning the language is paramount because most people you deal with don’t regularly converse In any language but their own. That is hard. I’ve been able to make it through but it’s been tough.
I’ll keep watching, An! I’m definitely happy to have met you and Jeff.
This is was a very good one. and helpful
Subscribe and thumbs up
Omg just drop it off. 😢
Yes do the review! I always read the reviews!
Good for you! 🎉
You went to the trouble of making this video but you didn't leave a review?! IF someone had left a review describing your experience you might have insisted on having a receipt, signed by that moron, that the sofa would be assembled by the delivery people. LEAVE A REVIEW. It matters. It's too late for you, but you can help others!
Long time subscriber since before you left the US. We have had good to great customer service in France at every place we have been except for a neutral experience at an ELeclerc when a person shrugged and said they didn't know where scales were. I have heard it suggested by long time residents in France that the best way to try and resolve a situation is to approach it as the employee is in control and appeal to their position or power to try and find a way to resolve the situation. Like " You know things best is there a way you may be able to help me?" That seems to work for the US expats in several situations they described. A couple examples of great customer service we had were we stopped and bought some chocolates for family and asked when they closed as our friends were on a tour and also wanted to buy chocolate. She said 5 but then gave us her phone number and said call if we were there after 5 and she would open us for us and our friends. Another time our beloungerie grabbed our regular bagguette before we asked. Another at a different boulongerie they added a couple pastries for free as it was near closing time. There are more but so far much more positive than even neutral.
They dont have licensed employees they bring men from Home Depot and they say oh can’t find issue , next ))) they have send 10 people in a year , landlord doesnt want to pay to fix a thing or anything yesterday they decided no more barbecue , we live here for 26 years ,,so many issues here in California believe me
The makeup segment was too hilarious. An's reaction and actions were exactly what I would have gone thru/done.
I think you just wanted to be acknowledged, heard, and for someone to try do something about it vs getting dismissed and ghosted when you sent your emails. Yeah Sephora might have a policy of no return if opened, which is fine, but at least they could acknowledged your concern, and especially with a long time loyal customer could have offered a coupon or a future store credit. The last thing they want is to lose someone like An for a customer. I don't know if this is a France issue vs a company or a local store issue. I wonder if a more local store vs a chain would have done better…
Last year we were in France for an extended time. At a restaurant I ordered what I thought would be a lunch but instead I got a crepe that clearly made for a dessert. I didn't like it and the waiter noticed, came over, and asked if everything is okay. I explained and he tried to correct the problem. It was nice to be acknowledged. That's the point in my opinion.
Thanks for great information💐
Jeff deserves a medal for trying to return your make up.
I hate returning items.
The couch situation is very annoying. The store got their money and don't care about you.
That is awful having to pay 500 euros extra for your plane tickets when its not your fault.
THANK YOU AN for your HONEST Assessment!!!!
I do feel that you should ŵrite a review, because THAT is how they get away with IMPROPER behavior!!! THANK GOD that Jeff is SO HANDY!!!!
Ending LOVE to you all!!!!
This is actually a wider problem than just France tbh. We are in a transition between automation via Ai and customer sservice 'people' and I guess there might be a bit more dispondency than usual for those in the customer servies area. Always appreciate your videos, looking forward to Nice next year 🥀
Hi An. I'm in the habit of asking for samples at Sephora in Canada, particularly because the lighting is so different from one's home, and also because I have allergies to ingredients, most of which aren't always on the labels. If samples aren't available, and I've had to return a product, I've never been refused a refund. Perhaps it's because I have sensitivities. Perhaps it's because I always ask before paying if the product can be returned if I don't like it or I reacted to something in the product. Am I to assume that Sephora doesn't offer samples in France? I am pleased that the manager did right by you, however, you were caused unnecessary aggravation. Kudos for sticking up for yourself!
Re: the furniture: I would do an honest review of the process and suggest for buyers to make sure the sales person shows them in writing that the following are included: delivery, set up, and removal of ALL packaging incl. cardboard, plastic film, styrofoam, paper and ALL extraneous packaging materials.
As the story goes : In the US the customer is king and you know what we, French people, did to our last king ! 😄
For the coach, you should have left the store with a printed invoice including "livraison et montage" (Delivery and setup).
If nothing is written, the delivery guys which maybe don't even work directly for the store, will do nothing.
A true sign you are adapting to French life is that you are complaining (râler) comme un français 😉
Customer service in France is kind of like the Amazon Mystery Box 😉
So frustrating.
Sorry you had to go through all these situations.
Hoping that you get much more caring and proficient people in the future.
Now, if you’re able to, take a deep breath and soak in the beauty around you. Peace. ✌️
OMG!! What a nightmare with the couch!
I love Ali Andrea ❤
Foundation on top of foundation? Mais non!!!!!
Also, when next you get matched to a foundation, go outside to see if it works for you before purchasing.
Have you trued writing directly to Anastasia Beverly Hills? I would try thar.
Since I have worked in France and have family there I know about salaries and much more , they don’t get paid enough That’s why there’s always protest
In different cities for many years now so I guess that counts too , there not happy with salaries , so the minimum is low , I guess customer service is not their first priority))
Good for you. I luv that you won’t take no for an answer. I would write to their headquarters. I think once you lave the store they don’t do turns in general. If they get tied of dealing with you they’ll give in just to get rid of you.
My husband and I travelled for business but to different places in the world. After I retired I was going to go with him on a business trip to Lake Como. I couldn’t get on his flight any more so I booked an Alitalia flight close to his arrival time. When I go to check in they tell me my flight is cancelled. They can book me a light but I hav o spend h night in London. Best they can do. So I m furious and say o cancel it, I am not going. Issue my refund now because I am not going to spend hours on the phone xplaining it. We can’t do that. I was equally disappointed and furious by then missing out on shopping in Lake Como. I was by then hysterical and they issued me a refund then and there. I was still pissed but at least didn’t have to deal with it again. I’ll never forget that mess. Then drove home in a big thunderstorm.
Because you are a white immigrant from United states who come to benefit France without already participate ( taxes on work/ salaries specialy), you think you can complain France living organization !??
And everybody from France find this so charming.😤
But if you were black immigrant from other part of the world with no money, if you complain, all the racists will not find this adequat, but irrespect full!!!
If you immigrat : "in Rome act like the inhabitants of Rome" !!
I just had the worse experience at Darty on Notre Dame where they won’t take back a printer that doesn’t work. I feel your pain.
if you are not happy of France you can go back in your usa and stop using the social medical healthcare we provide to you by paying taxes all our lives.
I have mixed feelings about Darty in Nice. Adrian Leeds had mentioned their good service on appliances, so when my washing machine (which was quite elderly) stopped working, I went there to find a new one. I have apace limitations for where it must go, and took careful measurements. So the machine is delivered (2nd floor French, third foor American, no elevator). The delivery guys cheerfully carried it up and installed it. But the door to the utility closet would not close! There was a flared thing at the top of the front-loading door that stuck out just enough to prevent the door from closing. So the delivery guys removed it and put it back out in my front entryway, and said go talk to the salesperson. So I went back to Darty, the store near Jean-Medicin. The salesman was very nice, we picked out a different machine and a refund was immediately issued for the first one – which was still sitting in my living room! I had expected to be charged for the second machine and thought I would need to wait until the first one was actually picked up to get the credit! Several days later, the new machine was delivered and installed, and the first one carried away. So that was an unexpectedly good experience. HOWEVER – if you go to Darty and want yo buy something you see on the shelves, it is usually just a sample and you must get a salesperson to write it up. And there are VERY few salespersons available to do this! Then, after this wait for a salesperson, you must go to the cashier's line (usually also a long wait) to pay for it. After a few experiences like that, I stopped going to Darty for any kind if small appliances or electronics. But would probably still go for large appliances, and in fact I later bought a new refrigerator from Darty.
Now you know better, that the make-up woman does NOT know better. ~ Count it as the high price of education.