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If I can see that there are extenuating circumstances, I generally let bad service slide. (Very busy, tech malfunctions, etc). I even tip more in restaurants when I see a server overwhelmed with tables- I have a great deal of empathy from my years of doing the same. Lots of businesses have built their reps on good customer service, and many more have folded due to bad. (Sears comes to mind as an example of both- they used to be great, and had a strong and loyal customer base, but now they're struggling due to their cutthroat business practices, subcontracting with incompetents and poor employee relations).
I built my career on bad customer relations. One of my first jobs as a stylist was at a huge international chain salon, and for some reason the owner decided I had good people skills and assigned all the repair jobs to me. (People who'd been butchered, fried or suffered bad color jobs). I learned a lot in the process, developed a very large clientelle within the first year of working and even got employee of the year for the region. I don't think it was because I was an especially great hairdresser, but I did listen to the 'victims' and treated them as I would want to be treated- with respect and caring. (I also gave out lots of free prods). It was irritating sometimes, having to clean up other people's mistakes, but it was also rewarding. That was twenty years ago, and I'd say 50% of my clientelle today are people who I 'fixed' back then. If you're loyal to others and treat them right, they'll be loyal to you as well.
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