Toshiba is a major international manufacturer of technology and electronics. Much of its production is geared toward industry and business, but the company still sells some consumer products, such as air conditioners and kitchen appliances, in the United States and Canada through its Toshiba Lifestyle brand.
People call Toshiba customer support for a range of reasons, including:
There are several things that you can do to help ensure that your call to Toshiba customer service is handled quickly and professionally:
Call the correct number. There are different numbers for US and Canadian customer service call centers
Call during business hours: Monday through Friday 8 AM to 6 PM Eastern time and Saturday 9 AM to 4 PM Eastern.
Before calling, gather relevant documentation. This might include make and model numbers for your appliances (which can be found on the product itself or in the product manual), order receipts, the name and contact information for the retailer that sold you the product, and previous communication between you and Toshiba regarding your issue.
If you are calling about a malfunctioning product, be in the same room as the product so that you and the customer service representative can troubleshoot together.
Have some way of taking notes during your call. Call notes can be helpful if you have to speak to more than one person about your concern or if you have to escalate your case.
Consumer reports on Toshiba's customer service appear to be a mixed bag. Some feel that the company's representatives are excellent, while others complain of rude and inadequate service.
Toshiba's customer service representatives can address a range of issues, including questions about product benefits and features, referrals to retailers and service providers, warranty claims, and can provide basic troubleshooting and technical support.
Toshiba customer service can provide basic troubleshooting help but you will need to physically return a product, or send it to an authorized repair center, if something is seriously wrong.
Because Toshiba sells through third-party retailers, keep in mind that a customer service agent may have limited ability to mediate disputes between customers and other businesses.
Toshiba used to sell a larger range of products in the United States. Calling about a product that is no longer sold or supported in the United States may result in frustration as customer service may not be able to assist you.
If you get off the phone with Toshiba and feel as though your questions were not answered or your issues were not resolved, don't give up. You may still have options:
First, review your call notes. If you didn't take notes during your call, write down or type out what you remember from the conversation. This process can help you identify potential areas of miscommunication or misunderstanding.
Next, call back. Explain to the representative that this is your second call about an issue. Describe the problem, what went wrong with the first call and your preferred resolution. This will help the agent understand your situation and he or she can work with you to craft an appropriate solution.
If a second call is ineffective, try getting in touch with Toshiba in another way. You can send an email to the company through your own email program or through Toshiba's online form. Another option would be to try to connect via one of the company's social media profiles.
If working with Toshiba directly isn't getting you the results you desire, contact the retailer that sold you the product. The company may be willing to advocate on your behalf or resolve the issue itself as a goodwill gesture.