Rant of the Day [orichalcum]

So, I understand that my cable/phone/internet/electricity companies all want to keep my service. But do they have to make it so #%%@$@ difficult to find out how to cancel service from them?

Take, for instance, Vonage. Under the FAQ, upon searching for "stop service," we find this gem:

I am moving in with a roommate. What do I need to do to stop my Vonage service?

Congratulations! Vonage offers the convenience of taking your number with you so you there is no need to disconnect! Keep your Vonage service, keep your phone number, keep your independence and keep your privacy. As long as you have high speed internet access at your new address you can re-connect the service in your new home. You can also run a 2nd line through the same internet connection for your roommate! Use your Online Account to add a 2nd line today at www.vonage.com.

No, no, I want to "stop my Vonage service." Upon calling them, I reach an automated phone tree, where there is no option for stopping service until the third branch on the phone tree, Button #5, #4, #2.

I just want to get what I want. Is that so much to ask?

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I'm sorry. I see how that could be very annoying. It is also very funny, though.

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Phone companies will do their darnedest to keep a customer, preferably in an obstructionist way. We were trying to leave T-Mobile a long while ago and had very similar problems. We never left because they made us a pretty good offer to address our concerns, but you're in a very different situation.

I agree -- it's totally evil how they try to keep your service by just refusing to answer your call in a timely manner. I was on hold for about an hour yesterday trying to cancel my AT&T service, after which I found I'd been routed to the California AT&T service! This after I'd already punched in my Connecticut phone number. Geez, you'd think the phone company would understand phones better.

But it got better:

Me: "But I punched in a Connecticut phone number!"
Rep: "Okay, well here, let me give you the number to call..."
Me: "Oh, no you don't. I didn't wait an hour on hold only to have to call another number. You're going to transfer me, please."
Rep: "Sir, I can't transfer you to Canada, you'll have to call them yourself."
Me: "Canada? Who said anything about Canada?"
Rep: "Where did you say you were calling from?"
Me: "Connecticut."
Rep: "..."
Me: "Connecticut, United States."
Rep: "...All right, let me transfer your call."

Shades of the Olympics Ticket Snafu of 1996 (I think)—in which an actual U.S. resident apparently uttered the immortal words "New Mexico, Old Mexico, it doesn't matter--you still have to go through your nation's consulate."

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Oh. My. Gosh. SMITE! I'm really sorry. I hate it when companies do that.

I hope everything gets less stressful soon. Good luck tomorrow! *hug*

orichalcum

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