I hate that shit, who the fuck has their 14 digit account number that they didn’t even know existed for an account they almost never have to look at or accesss memorized?? Same thing with an online order, why the hell wouldn’t they just ask for your name or phone number? Even if you have a common name that would at least narrow it down to a few accounts. Much easier and saves time and hassle. Fucking idiots.
I'm guessing they are either assuming that you have some sort of statement on hand with the account info, or they are doing it as a confirmation that you are the account holder (maybe something like having to provide multiple forms of ID for things). But yes, it is annoying to have to go scrambling around to locate some paperwork.
Wasn't this same exact topic discussed on this board last week? Whenever I call a company's customer service number I do my best to have a statement with me so I have that information handy. It's not even for them, it just seems common sense that you'd get through the call quickest that way.
Bro, who keeps paper statements or even electronic statements on hand?
More importantly, why should the customer be forced to dig that shit up when it could easily be expedited by the company having a better filing system?
Whenever you call a company, it’s best to try and anticipate every possible question that they may ask you and prepare accordingly. If you want less stress in your life you might as well play the game. Ultimately, it’s done for your own protection.
You said this the last time you brought it up. I would ask you why the hell you would call while you were driving? Do you know how many calls those people get everyday? Yeah, sure they can look things up, but by not having the proper information when you call you are making your call that much longer, and you risk not getting the information you need or the correct problem resolved. Plus you are making someone else's job that much more difficult, but I'm sure you don't care about that.
No I don’t because I work in customer service and it’s not that fucking difficult to have a practical and efficient filing system. I don’t expect people to have their shit in order, why should I? It takes them 5 seconds to type in a phone number. I should mention these are mostly bull shit issues that involve me trying to fix something that someone else fucked up, so I damn sure am not wasting any more free time than I have to taking care of them, I think most people make small calls like that while driving. Otherwise they’d never get done.
You aren’t going to change the way the system works so you have two choices: -
1. Make the necessary preparations for a stress free life.
2. Continue to get nowhere fast.
I don't know what you are calling about, so there are some big differences between calling somewhere about an order, or calling an insurance company about a claim. Even then, phone numbers change, not all accounts are kept up to date with correct addresses and phone numbers.
Ok then social security numbers. It doesn’t matter what you are calling about we are shifting towards a service based economy and this is some dinosaur shit, account number are you kidding me? No one can keep track of all of those. You watch soon we will have much better and simpler unique identifiers used across all platforms. It’s already here in some places.
Before I call anywhere that I'm having a problem with I take a little time to get the information that I will need. It's not really that difficult or time consuming.
Before you call them, look up the account or order number. It isn’t hard to do. Do not call a company when you are in a hurry and never call a company when you are driving. Be prepared before you call!
Personally, I have a very unusual last name, so I start by politely saying that they can easily look me up by name (I'm always polite at least that far). So if you get sick of that shit, change your last name to Mxyzptlk or something!
Actually, the higher-ups are only aware of what costs the least at ground level. They don't actually care how much it pisses off the customer, or how inconvenient it is for the staff.
This is why I never make customer service calls if I can help it, it's a miserable and frustrating experience and if I express my feelings then it's the poor ground-level workers who have to deal with my temper.
"I don't pay attention when I cross the street. Who does? I like to daydream or stare at my phone. Why don't drivers just notice this and stop so I don't have to look up? Fucking idiots."
I’m just more observant, most people don’t notice how inefficiently things are done. Ignorance is bliss.
I sympathize with your angst on customer service. We all experience it.
But, if you were "observant," you'd KNOW beforehand that you were going to face a hassle, and you'd be prepared. As other have stated in this thread, you should have the appropriate info in front of you, when you make these calls, to spare yourself aggravation, if for no other reason.
If you are disorganized, don't have the info, or choose to make these calls while driving, then that's on you.
Sorry buddy, but that's the way the world works. You have to do something to help yourself -- rather than complain about something that isn't going to change. It's self-preservation.
"As other have stated in this thread, you should have the appropriate info in front of you, when you make these calls, to spare yourself aggravation, if for no other reason. [...]
You have to do something to help yourself -- rather than complain about something that isn't going to change. It's self-preservation."
Exactly. Another way of putting it is choose your battles wisely. Otherwise he'll only wear himself down and be chronically irritable.