Ever have one of those bills that you always seems to get paid a couple of days late? I do. It's my cable bill. Which, I guess it kinda funny because if my cable ever got cut off I would totally go apeshit. ASIDE from being an internet junkie, it's bundled, so I'd be sitting here with no internet, no TV and nobody to call (cell phone? Who uses their cell phone to make CALLS?)
Anyways, I've tried getting them to change it so that it would be easier for me to pay, but. Whatever. Yeah. I could totally pay this early, but, really no I can't. So. Late. But I *DO* pay it. So there's that.
So. Bill. Came in the mail yesterday. I've already set up my payment, but then I thought...you should call them and tell them it's going to be paid Friday. So, I call the 800number. Aaaannnnd....cue the ridiculousness:
TW*: Hi, your bill is late. So don't even think about pay-per-view or ordering a special event.
Me:...
TW: So. How are you going to pay your bill? Credit card, check? I'll hold on while you get me my money, bitch.
Me:...WTF? Umm...Customer Service? Operator?
Hey...In case you didn't know...THIS CALL WAS COMPLETELY AUTOMATED. I NEVER SPOKE TO A REAL PERSON.
TW: Sorry, I didn't understand. Since your bill is late AND you apparently DON'T speak English, let me make this simple. Press 1 for credit card, 2 for check and 3 for some other way to pay. 'Cause you ARE going to pay me before this call is done.
Me: No. Help? Customer Service? ROEIODJFSDKUEYYEGIFH...Operator? How the fuck do I get to a real person?
TW: Let's try this again: SAY 1 for credit card. SAY or press 2 for check. GIVE. ME. SOME. MONEY.
Me:
TW: Fine. If there's something else you want, press 8.
Me: 8
TW: Seriously though, if you talk to a person to pay your bill, we're going to charge you $5.
Me: The fuck? Transfer me already.
TW: FINE, THEN. BUT. If you just want an extension so you can pay us later..press 5.
Me: 5.
TW: Okay, you have until Decem-
Me: *click*
I don't care anymore. Apparently, I have more time than I need. Bill is still getting paid Friday, so... Mission Accomplished?
*OBVIOUSLY, these weren't their exact words, but umm...seriously? I think this was more or less what they were trying to say. I'm SURE they have their reasons for automating; clearing making it mission impossible to speak to an actual HUMAN must have been at the top of that list.
I get it. You want to get paid. And surprisingly, I want to pay you. But, the strong arm tactics? The you-can't-do-anything-until-you-pay-your-bill-not-even-talk-to-a-person behavior? TOO FAR. I know you think that I'm too cheap/lazy/dependent on you to change services so you can just treat me any ol' kind of way, except. I'M NOT. Get it together, Time Warner, you are a CUSTOMER SERVICE ORIENTED enterprise. How about you act like it?
5 comments:
I can't stand Time Warner call-in service. I adore their twitter account though. I get amazing service via them. Also, not a big fan because they are my only option.
Funny post.
I got a call from one of my credit cards BEFORE the bill was due. I still had WEEKS. The guy asked me how I'd like to pay for the bill, and I said I'd be paying it online. He asked if he could wait while I did it. While I was on the phone with him I pulled up my account info to make sure I wasn't late, and nope, not even close. So I told the guy to climb a hill (well, not that nicely) and hung up. I paid off the balance and closed the card the next day.
If I were you, I'd print off this entire post and mail it to the CEO. EXCELLENT complaint letter.
You made me laugh right first thing today, even before I finished my first cup of coffee. Well done!
Man, that automated man is out to get you. Or he's really bad at coming on to a lady.
Sometimes it's hard to tell.
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