Customer Service?

It seems in this hectic age of microwave dinners and high speed internet, that life would be easier than say, ten or twenty years ago.
While at the bank the other day, I entered, assuming quick business, you know, in and out. Boy, was I wrong.
I was ninth in line with no relief in sight. One teller was working, and all the customers in front of me were complaining and examining their watches frequently.
Why only one teller open? Where were the others?
Welcome to customer service, 2008!

Later in the day, I ventured into the grocery store. First, the line for the state lottery was twelve people deep. Near the lottery line, was the line for Customer Service.
This line only contained eight people. The customers in this line were doing everything from cashing checks, to wiring money from Western Union, to purchasing bus fare tickets or cigarettes. I was in this line for twenty minutes.
Next, a purchase of vegetables, bread (and milk), and a personal hygiene product earned me a spot in the Express Lane. I was ninth in line with longer lines in the two other Express Lanes. I finally got to the cashier to pay in fifteen minutes. Good thing I wasn't buying any ice cream!

The bottom line of corporate America dictates that unskilled labor be paid the minimum wage. Also, that profit margins are kept high while payroll should remain low.
This means that with twelve cash registers available at the grocery store, you can never expect more than four employees to working them at any given time.
Same with the bank. You can never walk in to do any transaction without having to wait for an available teller.

All said, it's time to dial that 800 number to complain. Or write a short letter explaining dissatisfaction.