Thursday, June 29, 2006
Yeth!
About five years ago, when my parents were still living in the house, I managed to talk them into upgrading our regular cable TV service to digital cable TV. About a year ago, I switched from a DSL Internet connection to high-speed cable internet. Today, I decided to call Comcast, my cable company, and add their digital phone service to my service plan.
I called their main number, pushed-buttoned my way through a few voice-menus, and within minutes, I was on the phone with a customer service representative. It's funny, but I never seem to get through as quickly when I have a problem, but when I want to give them more money, I get right through.
The rep took my order, and asked me to stay on the line to go through a verification process. He explained that it would only take a couple of minutes, and that he could not complete my order unless I completed the verification process. Apparently, Comcast wants to have a digitally-recorded record of my voice, detailing my order, my contact information, and my understanding of certain limitations and conditions of the service.
The verification process was done by an automated system. A prerecorded voice asked me a series of questions, and then asked me to answer after the tone. For instance, the automated system said, "Please state your first and last name after the tone." Beeeeeeep.
To which I replied, "Bernie Michaels."
See?
Well, there were quite a few questions, and I found myself getting a little exasperated with the process.
Now, there's something about me that I never mentioned before. When I was younger, I used to have a pretty bad lisp. It still comes out now and then, especially when I'm excited or angry. Well, apparently it decided to rear its ugly head during the verfication process.
The verification system said, "If you should cancel your cable service, it is your responsibility to return the cable modem to your local Comcast office or you will be charged for the equipment. At the tone, please say yes to indicate your understanding of this condition." Beeeeeep.
"Yeth," I said.
"I'm sorry, " the system said. "I didn't understand your response." Then it repeated what it said before, and asked me to say yes at the tone.
Beeeeeeep.
"Yeth! Yeth! Yeth!" I said, hoping that at least one would be clear enough to be understood.
"I'm sorry," said the apologetic system. "Please hold on while I connect you with an operator to complete the verfication process."
Of all the stupid things! If a live operator could help me complete the verification process, why put me on the phone with a stupid computer in the first place? Sometimes I think the world has gone automation crazy.
Anyway, the good news is, I'll be able to pick up my self-installation kit on the way home from work tomorrow, and in about a week, they'll activate my digital phone service and I'll have unlimited digital calling throughout the U.S. at a nice savings over my current plan with my phone company.
Thweet!
- Bernie ¶ 8:36 PM
I called their main number, pushed-buttoned my way through a few voice-menus, and within minutes, I was on the phone with a customer service representative. It's funny, but I never seem to get through as quickly when I have a problem, but when I want to give them more money, I get right through.
The rep took my order, and asked me to stay on the line to go through a verification process. He explained that it would only take a couple of minutes, and that he could not complete my order unless I completed the verification process. Apparently, Comcast wants to have a digitally-recorded record of my voice, detailing my order, my contact information, and my understanding of certain limitations and conditions of the service.
The verification process was done by an automated system. A prerecorded voice asked me a series of questions, and then asked me to answer after the tone. For instance, the automated system said, "Please state your first and last name after the tone." Beeeeeeep.
To which I replied, "Bernie Michaels."
See?
Well, there were quite a few questions, and I found myself getting a little exasperated with the process.
Now, there's something about me that I never mentioned before. When I was younger, I used to have a pretty bad lisp. It still comes out now and then, especially when I'm excited or angry. Well, apparently it decided to rear its ugly head during the verfication process.The verification system said, "If you should cancel your cable service, it is your responsibility to return the cable modem to your local Comcast office or you will be charged for the equipment. At the tone, please say yes to indicate your understanding of this condition." Beeeeeep.
"Yeth," I said.
"I'm sorry, " the system said. "I didn't understand your response." Then it repeated what it said before, and asked me to say yes at the tone.
Beeeeeeep.
"Yeth! Yeth! Yeth!" I said, hoping that at least one would be clear enough to be understood.
"I'm sorry," said the apologetic system. "Please hold on while I connect you with an operator to complete the verfication process."
Of all the stupid things! If a live operator could help me complete the verification process, why put me on the phone with a stupid computer in the first place? Sometimes I think the world has gone automation crazy.
Anyway, the good news is, I'll be able to pick up my self-installation kit on the way home from work tomorrow, and in about a week, they'll activate my digital phone service and I'll have unlimited digital calling throughout the U.S. at a nice savings over my current plan with my phone company.
Thweet!
- Bernie ¶ 8:36 PM
