American corporations are constantly blaming competition from China and other countries for their economic woes, but the truth is, their customer service is often horrific with few exceptions. 

What is the number one thing that every company needs to survive - sales!  Logic would therefore dictate that when a customer calls the sales department of a company there would be a live person available to instantly answer the phone.  Unfortunately, the exact opposite is often true.  First, they often make it difficult for a customer to even find their phone number on their website, because they really want customers to use the website instead of bothering them with a phone call.

Second, those who are determined enough to find the phone number and actually call, they are often greeted by a computer that wants to force a potential customer through a barrage of voice prompts before giving them the option to speak with a live person. 

Third, this same customer is now forced to wait several minutes or longer, listening to mini commercials or some unnerving music.  This is how a potential customer who might be spending a few hundred or a few thousand dollars for a company's products or services is often treated!  Every sales rep knows that a call from a potential customer is a golden opportunity to make a sale.  Regrettably, American corporate executives don't see it that way.  They have grown too big to actually talk to customers.  Live operators cut into their profit margins.  They would rather for customers to fumble through their website or computerized voice prompts.  These same companies have the audacity to then complain about foreign competition! 

Trying to contact the customer service department or the technical support department is often far worse in terms of how long a person his kept on hold. 

 If one goes into a shoe store, a sneaker store or electronics store, the sales rep often knows next to nothing about the products in the store.  Most major department stores force customers to walk up and down aisles to try and find someone who can help them.   

Before American corporations complain about China, India, Japan and other countries, they should get their act together and start treating their customers with more respect before they lose them.