Companies not listening? Send a tweet!

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Having a problem with your bank, your TV or even an airline?

Instead of picking up your phone to dial customer service, check to see if the company has a Twitter account.

SmartMoney.com said big name companies are using Twitter to help consumers in need of service.

Some of the companies using the social network include: Bank of America, Dell, Dish Network, H&R Block, Jetblue, Southwest Airlines, and UPS.

Use your tweets to air a grievance, send a complaint or just ask a question.

Since tweets are seen by a large network of people, this is a good way for a company to better its reputation. 

And the service you receive may be faster and better than if you'd contacted the company by phone or email.

SmartMoney.com said that's because the employees monitoring Twitter are higher up in the corporate food chain.

Here are some tips from SmartMoney.com on how to make your tweets count:

• Make sure your tweet is 140 characters or less
• Dont overdo it.  Keep your messages to a minimum
• Save your tweets for urgent matters or issues that traditional customer service can't solve

Here is the complete list of companies SmartMoney.com said use Twitter: 
Bank of America: @BofA_Help

- Blue Cross Blue Shield: @BCBSIL (Illinois), @BCBSLA (Louisiana), @BCBSMN (Minnesota), @BCBSNM (New Mexico), @BCBSOK (Oklahoma) or @BCBSTX (Texas)

- Comcast: @comcastcares, @ComcastBonnie

- Dell: @dellhome, @dell_storage

- DISH Network: @dishnetwork

- H&R Block: @HRBlock
 
- JetBlue: @JetBlue
 
- Qwest Communications: @TalktoQwest

- Skype: @PeteratSkype

- Southwest Airlines: @SouthwestAir

- UPS: @ThomasatUPS

- Wachovia: @Wachovia

Or read the Smart Money article.

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