New York City Department of Buildings 280 Broadway, Manhattan, New York 10007

"Today is the 3rd time I went DOB. Last time I went 2017 & 2018. They were supper helpful. The lady name “Jhon”. She is the best. Even the security. You know, five fingers in your hand is not same size. Anyway I am 100% happy with their service"

"I went to NYC DOB today and I have to say, my experience was horrible. The staff I had, well she got attitude. I greeted her with “Good Afternoon” and I didn’t get any response. I asked her a question and I didn’t get a response. So, I just gave her the document and check that I came for and One good thing I have to say is that she did the work, so one star for that. The whole time, she stayed quiet like I had to figure out everything. After she gave me the receipt, she didn’t say anything. I was standing there like an idiot for 30 seconds until I ask her if we are done. She said in rude tone” “You are done”. I saw her talking to her coworker and her tone was light and happy. Not with me. I ended with thank you and left that dam place."

"Primitive ticket system with a 99 cent speaker from the 80s. Building is like 85 degrees indoors at all times. Simple cashiers take 15 minutes per transaction. Do not bother calling them for a question because you will be transferred at least 6 times and finally leave a voicemail to someone that will not call back. How does a department that makes millions off fining people and filing fees seem so underfunded. Seems like they are better off hiring random people off the street because 90 percent of the employees here are just as competent."

"Today I experienced one of the worst customer service experiences at Department of Buildings (DOB). Not only were ALL the employees, with the exception of one, extremely rude, like next level rude, but apparently also expect customers to be psychic. Let me provide some context. Apparently for the DOB it's the year 1992 and not 2022 because they only accept payment for various services at three desks in one office for the ENTIRE NYC. Payment is not accepted by mail or like most of government offices, heaven forbid, on the World Wide Web. You can even pay speeding tickets online, folks. Let me share my experience. The office advertised on Google they close at 2pm. I called in the morning and was provided numerous automated options (anything to avoid humans helping humans). Finally I was able to speak to someone who then transferred me to another individual who allegedly could answer my question better, but alas I was not honored with that assistance because that employee did not answer the phone, and even though I left a voicemail, no one returned my call. At the office i had the supreme pleasure of interacting with two of the rudest female security guards. They spoke to me as if I were a confused criminal - curt, harsh, and completely impolite. I made the mistake of thinking I was a paying customer and not that I was a teen on the reality show "Beyond Scared Straight." At the office I was told that the system was down and they cannot accept payments. Again, let me emphasize, the only office for the entire new york city, that only accepts payments in person - their system is down. Furthermore, it was oh so graciously explained to us all waiting that they close at 12pm and regardless of if the system is back online, all the customers will have to leave at that time. I was told that for cashier tickets to speak to the cashier. I went to the booth and the cashier was on her personal phone scrolling Instagram and extremely reluctant to address any questions. Forgive me for verifying the form of payment. Also, before 12pm she vacated her post and I do have photo evidence. Around 11:45 am it seemed the systems were back online or at least the computers were on, but by then most of the employees had either already vacated their posts to pick up food or retreat to the back office. God forbid any of them stick around to help the 10+ customers lingering around in the hope that having traveled to this office that they will receive some assistance. As I was leaving another supervisor came back inside and I asked her about the cashier and without looking she told me no she didn't leave, but as she peeked around the corner, literally as she's saying this the overhead lights to the desk area turned off. I asked another employee if they close at 12pm everyday and she said yes rudely. So I clarified, online it says you close at 2pm. At which point she decided to point to a paper sign posted on a wall which lists which desks close at 2pm and which close at 12pm, and proceeded to read it to me as if I don't speak English. (Thank you for judging me by my skin tone! And no she was not white) Or, apparently I'm supposed to see the 2pm time on Google and after not being able to communicate with anyone directly on the phone, just psychically know that some desks actually close at 12pm. Or psychically know to look for one sign on one wall placed high above the ticket machines that informs me of the variety in closing times. So after a completely unsuccessful mission having been treated as if I were a non-English speaker trying to illegally cross the U.S. border, I still have to return to make a payment on another day."

"This is a horrifying place to go to and I hope for you that you'll never have to go there. On the plus side, with all the money they're fining New Yorkers, they've got a new and improved facility. Same terrible attitude though -- so not much has changed. I suggest before going here to read everything that you possibly can about your issue online, and write down a concise list of questions that you'll refuse to leave without having answered. Otherwise, what's going to happen is that they'll answer the very bare minimum and often give you incorrect information resulting in you having to come back. ALSO, yes you will need a ticket for literally everything single thing you do here."