BT awarded Wooden Spoon for worst customer service

The Daily Mail has awarded BT a wooden spoon for having the worst customer service in the country.

Over 3,200 readers of the Mail’s Money supplement nominated award winners for the 2008 Money Mail Wooden Spoon, with BT receiving the most votes.

Reasons for BT’s nomination ranged from having to deal with overseas call centre staff, to being penalised for paying bills using cash or cheque rather than direct debit.

BT chief executive Ian Livingston refused to meet with the Mail to receive the award, and declined to comment.

John Petter, manager of BT’s consumer division, was delegated responsibility for responding to the award.

Petter said BT was ‘surprised and disappointed’ to win the award, adding that its customer service is the best it has been for years.

BT received 27% of the nominations, making it a clear winner. Virgin Media came in third, with 11% of Money Mail readers’ votes.