REALITY OF CUSTOMER COMPLAINTS EXPERIENCE AT ODDS WITH PROVIDERS’ PERCEPTIONS OF SERVICE

15th July 2019: Major new research from Huntswood provides insight for financial services firms and utilities providers, drawn from responses from over 5,500 consumers and intensive interviews with business leaders

  • 69% of businesses believe their customers are satisfied with their complaints handling, while only 26% of customers actually report that they are satisfied
  • 49% of firms believe they are resolving complaints at the first point of contact, while only 18% of customers claim that their complaint was resolved immediately
  • 60% of customers said they would change provider as a result of a poor complaints experience

UK financial services and utilities businesses are underperforming when it comes to complaints handling, despite their growing belief that customers are satisfied with their performance.

This is according to new research by regulatory and complaints handling experts, Huntswood. Published today, Huntswood’s Complaints Outlook 2019 builds on its landmark 2016 report to provide a comprehensive picture of complaints handling performance across the UK. It combines research from financial services and utilities firms with survey responses from over 5,500 consumers. The nationally representative survey was carried out by Huntswood’s research partners, YouGov.

Since the release of the 2016 report, the complaints landscape has evolved as firms have taken positive steps forward. Regulatory standards are now viewed as the minimum when it comes to meeting customer expectations and ensuring the fair and equitable treatment of vulnerable customers has come a long way for the majority of firms. However, the research has revealed a perception gap between businesses and customers – 69% of firms believe that their customers are satisfied with their complaints are handled, while the reality is that only 26% of customers actually report being satisfied.

When asked, 87% of firms interviewed also said that their complaints handling staff are well equipped to do the job, however 61% of customers are currently dissatisfied with the empathy of the staff member they interacted with and 59% are dissatisfied with the knowledge of the staff member they interacted with.

Resolution times also remain an issue. 49% of firms believe they are resolving complaints at the first point of contact, yet only 18% of customers claim that their complaint was resolved immediately.

Complaints Outlook 2019 also reveals a disconnect between the perceived importance of complaints handling by businesses and a lack of focus on building required professional skills. This is evident in the fact that, despite 96% of businesses agreeing that the impact of the complaint handler on customer satisfaction is high or extremely high, 52% admitted that their employees do not complete professional complaint handling training programmes or qualifications.

With increased regulatory scrutiny around the treatment of vulnerable customers, 75% of the firms interviewed believe that their staff are equipped and empowered to deal with customers in vulnerable circumstances, with the remaining quarter feeling they are only part of the way to achieving this.

Furthermore, 57% of firms believe they are creating advocates in at least half of all cases, however only 8% of customers surveyed had a positive complaints experience and shared it with friends and family.

This perception gap should be treated as a warning to firms, with 60% of customers adding that they would change provider as a result of a poor complaints experience.

Paul Scott, Chief Commercial Officer at Huntswood, said: “Firms are increasingly recognising the value that can be derived from the complaints journey. However, despite this, our research shows that there are discrepancies between how financial services companies believe they are dealing with complaints and the reality for customers. Complaints are an unavoidable part of business, so it’s critical that they are handled well and that customers feel valued throughout.

“Firms should therefore be looking to create an effective complaints handling operation, underpinned by a robust strategy which focuses on providing the best possible outcomes for customers. Doing so can deliver enormous benefits, such as deeper relationships with existing customers and an increase in new relationships from customer advocacy.”

Huntswood has extensive experience of working within the UK financial services and utilities sector, helping to improve suppliers’ complaints handling processes on a long- or short-term basis, or as part of an ongoing outsourced arrangement.

For more information on how businesses can deliver complaints excellence and ensure customers are better supported, download Huntswood’s Complaints Outlook 2019 report, here: https://co.huntswood.com

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