Customer Respect Group Shows How to Treat Customers Right

The Customer Respect Group annually asks consumers which of the 100 largest U.S. companies treat online customers best—considering website usability, quality and timeliness of e-mail communications, and trustworthiness with personal data. 2006 winners: Highest rated overall: Intel, Sears Roebuck, Hewlett-Packard, Medco and Procter & Gamble. Problem area: Only 13 companies consistently send helpful customer replies within 24 hours.