Beware of phone and mail gimmicks

I’ve written about it before, but there are several things that tend to confuse and irritate people (beside their spouses).

One thing that annoys is when we call up a credit card company to check something, or phone a utility or service company, we are put on “wait” for a period. Often we are subjected to listening to un-soothing music. Then we get a droid asking us for our name, address, account number, birth date, the last four digits of our Social Security number, and then are told to press a digit for the reason that is the closest to why we are calling.

We are then transferred to a new droid and asked for the same information we had just given to the first answerer. In one instance, when all a neighbor’s communications had been zapped by vicious lightning, she told me she had used her cell phone to call the company which provided her home phone, internet and television services. “Bundling” is what they had called it.

She said she was transferred countless times and had to reply to the same questions each time and to provide her password — which she couldn’t find in the dark, as well. The person then advised her to get on the internet to their website.

“That’s part of the problem!” she said, “I can’t use my computer! I think the modem is shot.”

Another initiator of confusion are little post cards we get notifying us that our automobile service contract is about to expire unless we sign up for an extended vehicle service contract.

The automobile dealers are not the senders of these notices in most all instances. Of course, when you buy a car it is under warranty for certain repair during the first so many miles or years, as specified.

The little notices are later sent out by unscrupulous people who have no relationship with your dealer. In other words, their service contracts will not be honored by the dealer. Ask your dealer.

I do have extended service contracts on our appliances, such as refrigerators, freezer, washer, dryer, and cooking stove. Consumer’s Guide does not recommend them, but in most instances, I find them reliable. They save money when an appliance quits functioning properly and requires a service call. Our washing machine was in fact replaced with a new one after a certain number of repairs had been performed on the old one.

I dislike taking surveys, but I have started answering the ones I am asked for. Truthfully.

I let them know how irritating it is to repeatedly answer the same questions over and over. The information provided once should be transferred along with the phone call to the next person handling the call.

— Louis Houston is a resident of Siloam Springs. His book “The Grape-Toned Studebaker” is available locally and from Amazon. com. Send any questions or comments to louis1931@ gmail.com or call 524-6926. The opinions expressed are those of the author.