Ring Ring............Hello..........

I don't normally do this, but fair is fair. I usually only report in on things when I have issues with customer service or things go wrong. This time I would like to take a moment to compliment ATT Cingular customer service. I called them in regards to my cell phone. Note that I did not say in regard to my cell phone service. My service is fine but I was having an issue with my cell phone, or more accurately, my incompetence in operation of said cell phone. I called because I had paired my phone to my newly acquired blue tooth connection in my car, but when I tried to pair it back to my blue tooth ear bud, I was prompted for a 4 digit access code. I don't have a code. Perhaps it was in the instructions that I immediately discarded without reading because that is the normal know it all male machismo thing to do, but regardless, I have no code. So, I finish my humble pie and crow stew before calling ATT customer service. After pushing 1 for English 2 for cell service, 3 for (do dah, do dah) and pushing 5 or 6 more numbers at random I am transferred to a human being. I went with random numbers because, push 2 if your an idiot, was not one of the options. I found myself speaking with Danaria, a lovely child of God no doubt. This is how the conversation with her went.

" ATT technical support, may I verify your phone number please?"

"Yes ma'am, ***-***-****"

"Are you calling concerning an issue with this number?"

"no, not really, its more the phone, or actually my own stupidity as it relates to the phone"

"okay then, for security reasons can I verify the last four digits of your social security number"

"sure, ####" ( this was after muttering the first 5 under my breath because I cant remember just the last four, yes I am that lame)

"I am sorry sir, that doesn't match or records"

"Oh yes, I forgot (again) that this is my wife's account and therefore under her social"

"Do you know hers?"

"Not from memory, no (mental note, learn this) but if I promise not to ask anything too personal can I still ask you to help me"

(okay that didn't sound just right did it?)

(muffled giggle and not so muffled snort) "well, sir" (pause as she regains her composure) " I cant do anything to change your account without the number"

"That's fine, I just need help, I need somebody to tell me something that I should already know but don't have a clue."

I then explain my issue and how I don't have the code the silly phone is asking me for. After another giggle or two she tells me the default code is 0000. Since I never used this before it was still set on default so yeah, my phone works again. Other than the random number computer game to access a living breathing human being, this was a very pleasant customer service experience



The above photo is of a local news guy who makes his living warning consumers about scams. His tag line is "Don't waist your money" and " ITS A SCAM" He is kind of your local consumer Myth Buster because he buys these "as seen on TV" products and attempts to re-create the commercials to see how well they really work, items like Shamwow, etc.

Mr. Matarese came to mind just yesterday because it was a very slow day at work. The only time the phone rang all day was when your almost hourly scam call would come in. It is really ridiculous. 90% of the time its a computer calling and you can push 1 if your interested in exploring their service or product further. Sometimes they just leave a phone number for your to call them, during business hours of course. Some of them are creative, I get one that when you pick up the phone you hear a ships fog horn followed by the words, "This is your captain speaking................." and they proceed to tell you about the free cruise you have won if you call now, its just for you. The most blatant one we get is a lady who says, " This is XYZ can you give me the serial number off the back of your copy machine please." That is all she says, not hello, kiss my butt, or anything else. After the third time she called I gave her a number 123456. She said, no that's the wrong number, I need the 5 digit number off the back, it usually has some letters in it too. Oh, that number, that would be 0U812. She hung up on me. Turns out what they do is get the number and then just ship you some paper, ink, parts etc that fit your copier, along with an inflated bill, without anyone ever actually ordering it or needing it, but in a medium to large corporation, that probably makes it to the purchasers desk unquestioned and gets paid, slick huh. I love giving these goobers grief.





Now this brings me to my new favorite. This one is cute. I have had this call twice now. A very bubbly young lady calls me and asks for me by name (don't know how she got it) She then tells me that she is the new rep for the area (explains why I don't know her) and she just wanted to touch base with me. She works for MRC maintenance supply and her boss (so she tells me) just wants to show his appreciation to his good customers (we have never ordered from them before) by sending out a free major league baseball jersey just like the pro's wear (last time it was a magazine subscription to any magazine I wanted). Now if I will just give her my size and HOME address so she can send it to me personally (IE the boss need not know, wink wink) She will get my personal free gift just for me, the good customer right out. Now the SCAM here is this, she will then sell me some extremely overpriced sub standard something that I don't really need, but it looks like a real order because I was coerced into placing it by some free trinket that the boss doesn't know about. Cute huh?

Well when she called, I listened up to the point she asked me for my address and then said," so, does you boss assign you a new scam each month, or do you get to make this up on your own?" She laughed, said " no sir, this is no scam, my boss just wants to show you his appreciation for being a good customer" I informed her that we had never ordered and wouldn't be ordering therefore it was going to be difficult to proudly wear the label of 'good customer' She said have a nice day and I said you do the same which is southern belle -ese for "go screw yourself"




Danger Will Robinson Danger.......................................