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Arseda: The world's worst customer service
What happens when you give a comedy author the control of a supermarket's social media account? Well, we don’t know, none of them are that silly. However we do know what happens when the author makes an account that looks just like the supermarket's and starts answering their customers queries. Imagine you’re angry, you’re angry at the supermarket for not delivering your shopping on time or for sending you the wrong items. Then imagine that they didn’t care when you told them about it, or worse still, turned the customer service dial down even further and told you some home truths. Welcome to the world's worst customer services. These are 100% real conversations which happened on Twitter.
165 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 12, 2015
8 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 13 reviews
August 1, 2018
Pete Sortwell is a comedy author and he set up a parody Twitter account pretending to be the Asda Service Team. This book transcribes the Twitter feeds of genuine users who raise issues with Asda, the tweets from Pete’s parody Twitter account and tweets from the genuine Asda Service Team. The format of Pete’s book clearly shows which tweets are from the his parody Twitter account and those tweets from the genuine Asda Service Team.
Well, this book is a HOOT! I thought it was brilliant. The beauty of this book is that although Pete wrote the parody tweets, all the rest of the tweets are genuine. I found it was a wonderful illustration of how Twitter works, how genuine shoppers feel about their Asda experience and how people on both sides of the customer service desk have a sense of humour. I loved the use of language on ALL of the tweets, from the colourful language of the genuine users, the tongue in cheek humour of Pete Sortwell and the corporate set responses from the genuine Asda Service Team. I thought it was lovely how Pete did ALL his parody tweets in character, so as you progress through his book, you feel that his tweets are from a real person and you develop a relationship with him that is similar to what you enjoy with your workmates. Pete even had his own parody corporate set responses to the tweets raised by genuine shoppers. I loved this consistency and all credit to Pete because Twitter reacts extremely quickly in real time, so his tweets had to be done on the spur of the moment. This is very different from regular author work where you have all day to draft a full page, edit and publish.
I loved the humour of this book as it showed how the general public really act. I can find nothing wrong with this book and I do not think that anyone would be offended if their tweets had been included. Many genuine shoppers spotted the parody account and took the tweets in good spirit. My favourite tweet conversation involved the issue of toilet cleanliness in Asda supermarkets, the possible use by drug addicts, the use of special lighting and the effect of drug users deserting Asda in favour of Tesco.
I do not think that the management of Asda will be bothered by this book. When companies have a Twitter account they must accept the rough and tumble of Twitter life, taking the praise with the criticism on the chin. I really loved the content of this book, I found it very entertaining and it made me chuckle. It was a great antidote to the polished corporate speak we have to endure everyday, so this book gets the top score of 5 stars from me. Well done, Pete.
Well, this book is a HOOT! I thought it was brilliant. The beauty of this book is that although Pete wrote the parody tweets, all the rest of the tweets are genuine. I found it was a wonderful illustration of how Twitter works, how genuine shoppers feel about their Asda experience and how people on both sides of the customer service desk have a sense of humour. I loved the use of language on ALL of the tweets, from the colourful language of the genuine users, the tongue in cheek humour of Pete Sortwell and the corporate set responses from the genuine Asda Service Team. I thought it was lovely how Pete did ALL his parody tweets in character, so as you progress through his book, you feel that his tweets are from a real person and you develop a relationship with him that is similar to what you enjoy with your workmates. Pete even had his own parody corporate set responses to the tweets raised by genuine shoppers. I loved this consistency and all credit to Pete because Twitter reacts extremely quickly in real time, so his tweets had to be done on the spur of the moment. This is very different from regular author work where you have all day to draft a full page, edit and publish.
I loved the humour of this book as it showed how the general public really act. I can find nothing wrong with this book and I do not think that anyone would be offended if their tweets had been included. Many genuine shoppers spotted the parody account and took the tweets in good spirit. My favourite tweet conversation involved the issue of toilet cleanliness in Asda supermarkets, the possible use by drug addicts, the use of special lighting and the effect of drug users deserting Asda in favour of Tesco.
I do not think that the management of Asda will be bothered by this book. When companies have a Twitter account they must accept the rough and tumble of Twitter life, taking the praise with the criticism on the chin. I really loved the content of this book, I found it very entertaining and it made me chuckle. It was a great antidote to the polished corporate speak we have to endure everyday, so this book gets the top score of 5 stars from me. Well done, Pete.
November 16, 2015
ARSEDA by Pete Sortwell
Started it this morning before work and finished it this afternoon after work. It had some pretty funny parts and some pretty dense customers at times too!
I must admit that I didn't understand some of the terminology but I'm guessing they are common British sayings as some were said more than once.
And is it just me or does the name Tosco sound bad for a supermarket? Not that Arseda is much better, mind you. I'm too used to the names of our stores here in NZ I think
Started it this morning before work and finished it this afternoon after work. It had some pretty funny parts and some pretty dense customers at times too!
I must admit that I didn't understand some of the terminology but I'm guessing they are common British sayings as some were said more than once.
And is it just me or does the name Tosco sound bad for a supermarket? Not that Arseda is much better, mind you. I'm too used to the names of our stores here in NZ I think
August 7, 2018
Mildly humorous in places. Actually I felt it was a horrible kind of joke to play on people, for a lot of it.
November 29, 2015
Extremely funny book on Customer Service from the nation's popular supermarket. Would highly recommend.
January 20, 2016
Loved this , very funny ... more please Pete
November 16, 2015
Hilarious, not often a book makes you laugh out loud. I am sure we can all relate to some of the content one way or another. Thanks to The Book Club and Pete Sortwell for the ARC
April 29, 2018
Dull
Tedious unfunny and boring pass on by and try something else and even though it's free try something else instead
Tedious unfunny and boring pass on by and try something else and even though it's free try something else instead
January 17, 2020
Very funny
Very funny book with lots of laughs. Very easy to read and pick up at any time. Will look out for other books by this author.
Very funny book with lots of laughs. Very easy to read and pick up at any time. Will look out for other books by this author.
November 22, 2015
This was a funny, interesting and at times, cringeworthy read. Pete was clearly having a great time with customers who just didnt realise they werent dealing with real customer service staff.
Unfortunately, by the end of it, I was starting to feel sorry for some of the customers, as their levels of frustration increased, and also for the customer service staff who must have been tearing their hair out at the misinformation going out on their behalf. I am sure both parties cursed Pete more than once!
This is a fun book to read on the train, whilst waiting for appointments etc as you can pick it up and put it down.
This was an ARC via THE Book Club in return for an honest review.
Unfortunately, by the end of it, I was starting to feel sorry for some of the customers, as their levels of frustration increased, and also for the customer service staff who must have been tearing their hair out at the misinformation going out on their behalf. I am sure both parties cursed Pete more than once!
This is a fun book to read on the train, whilst waiting for appointments etc as you can pick it up and put it down.
This was an ARC via THE Book Club in return for an honest review.
November 15, 2015
I received this as an arc from the book club (tbc) in exchange for an honest review.
This is different messages from customers who complain.
Wow. so funny. Some had me in tears. Couldn't stop laughing. real pick me up book. I would highly recommend this book. If you need a good laugh this is for you. 5*. must read.
This is different messages from customers who complain.
Wow. so funny. Some had me in tears. Couldn't stop laughing. real pick me up book. I would highly recommend this book. If you need a good laugh this is for you. 5*. must read.
November 16, 2015
although it was amusing, not only do I find it funny what people complain about but also some of the replies Pete sent on behalf of the store before they realised were quite funny and clearly designed to get a reaction. I much prefer Petes works of fiction. sorry Pete xx
November 16, 2015
I was lucky enough to receive a copy of this via THE Book Group on Facebook. I assumed it would be an easy, quick read and indeed it was. Unfortunately though it didn't tickle my funny bone. Sorry!
Displaying 1 - 12 of 13 reviews