Posted by kara lynne on August 7, 2003, at 18:48:14
I call the phone company about a horrendously high phone bill for a line I had all of six weeks. The first woman I get says, "I'm sorry, I can't adjust your bill just because you want me to." Which isn't what I'd asked for anyway, I was trying to figure out why it was so high. She made me so mad I couldn't continue the conversation.
Next call a few days later: The woman says, "Oh, why did they charge you so much for these calls, let's see...." and the phone bill miraculously went down $37.00.
Next call (They make it exceedingly difficult, with different numbers to call for each section). The woman, although nice, said there was nothing that could be done about the set up charges even though I only had the line for six weeks. But she would inquire about blah blah and someone would get back to me.
Last call. I told the guy no-one had gotten back to me and he said, "Oh. Well I'll just take off that charge as a courtesy." The bill goes down another $20.
My point? I have none. Maybe it's that---what it is to these people to be nice to someone and give them a break? For some people it seems to be the most important thing that they don't let you have what you want at any cost. For no reason other than it gives them power? Or what? What's it to the first woman to check into lowering the bill (which it turned out I was overcharged for anyway)? It was just essential that she be authoritarian and not let me 'win'. It always amazes me.
Like when you go into a store and a clerk will fight to 'catch' you, so that you cannot get a discount or whatever, and the next day you'll find a clerk who will practically *invent* a discount for you.
It's a mystery.
poster:kara lynne
thread:249109
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/social/20030727/msgs/249109.html