The puzzling nature of my on and off relationship with Rachael.

Yesterday, my Bluetooth headset freaked out on me for the third and final time, so it is spending New Year's Eve in the trash dumpster. I visited AT&T's web site to seek out a new one, and was hooked up with Rachael, a chat room assistant designed to help me find the product I need. Here, verbatim is the chat I had with Rachael, complete with my comments interspersed.
You are now chatting with Rachael S., an AT&T sales representative.
Rachael S.: Welcome to AT&T online Sales support. How may I assist you with placing your order today?
Anthony: I need to know if the Plantronics Voyager 521 headset is compatible with my Pantech Slate.
Rachael S.: I will be more than happy to help you find the accessories that best fit your needs.
That little non-sequitor should have tipped me off as to the tone that our chat session would have. Who's "more than happy?" I don't understand. Is that like giving 110-percent?
Rachael S.: I will check up on that for you, may I have your zip code please?
Anthony: 08051
Why does she need my zip code? Am I at Radio Shack?
Rachael S.: The Pantech Slate does have bluetooth capability.
That wasn't my question. Non-sequitor number 2. I forged ahead...
Anthony: Will any Bluetooth work with it?
Rachael S.: Most of them should, however there is a chance that it might not be compatible.
Typically vague customer rep answer. Either it will or it won't - and you can't hold me responsible either way. Thanks for the tip. I think I knew that going in. Based on that answer, I could be a customer rep for AT&T.
Anthony: I guess I should visit the store and speak to someone to be sure.
Rachael S.: You are more than welcome to.
Even though I have to go out of my way to visit the store. It's obvious that this "representative" is clueless. I wondered if I was part of a fraternity prank.
Anthony: OK, Thank you.
I said thank you, even though I should have just closed the chat window. I'm too polite.
Rachael S.: Your welcome.
Now we have spelling issues to deal with. It's not "my welcome" it's you're welcome. Grammar cop.
Rachael S.: Happy New Year!
Happy New Year? Seriously. And an exclamation point.
Rachael S.: Thank you for choosing AT&T. Have a great day.
I really didn't have a choice, since my phone is AT&T, I figured the Bluetooth might stand a chance of working if I got it there. "However, there is a chance that it might not be compatible." Thanks. Those were my marriage vows.
Whether or not I was speaking to an actual person is up for debate. They told me I was, but judging from the conversation, I'd say the chances are pretty slim. They seemed like system responses based on my questions. Either they need sharper reps or a better system.
Either way, something over at AT&T needs sharpening.
Call me Rachael, we need to talk. Or chat. We might be compatible.

Comments

susan said…
Ugh. Chat with pre fixed templates....

I don't know what is worse, that, or calling for help on the phone and being outsourced to another country that doesn't speak English.
December 30, 2008 at 11:35 AM
Kate Michele said…
Susan: I hate that. In fact i make them transfer me until i have someone that speaks the language of the country i live in, so that i may understand whats happening.

OOKKKAAAYY
i hate these "chat" things. its a set up for frustration. and im with you on the 110%, there is no such thing.

xoxoxox
December 30, 2008 at 6:47 PM
Anonymous said…
I didn't know they had simulated chat people. I'm so out of the loop!

I have no idea what bluetooth does or can do and I'm okay with that. Jamie rolls his eyes everytime he talks about bluetooth this or that...*shrugs*
December 30, 2008 at 7:05 PM
Anthony said…
I'm not sure it was a simulated chat. The grammatical mistake at the end has me thinking it was a real person.
I suppose I could have asked, "Are you a real person?"
I imagine an answer like, "Don't I seem real?"
December 30, 2008 at 8:13 PM
susan said…
Bluetooth=

what happens when you don't brush your teeth properly and Crest is left on the teeth.

I guess I won't make it in stand up.
December 30, 2008 at 9:49 PM
Anthony said…
You know, if you leave those lumps of toothpaste harden in your sink, they make great after-dinner mints.
December 30, 2008 at 9:53 PM
susan said…
In theory that works fine Anthony, but what if the cat likes to sleep in the sink?

Ah, cat breath minty fresh, and no fish smell.
December 30, 2008 at 10:13 PM
Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Thursday Thirteen v.3

Image
Thirteen Little Quirks Don't Judge 1. Shaking Hands. I'm starting to get a little goofy about shaking hands. When a stranger shakes my hand, I am uneasy until I can find a chance to wash. 2. Door Handles. Likewise. I usually grip the handle someplace where I think others aren't. When I can, I push with my elbow or closed fist. I don't get sick much, either. 3. I trim my underarm hair. I think that's good for everyone involved. 4. Change . I almost never use change. If something is $1.01 and I have a nickel, they're not getting it. Take a penny, leave a penny? Go ahead, I have a change jar to maintain. 5. Penmanship and spelling. A high priority. If you saw my handwriting, you would know what I mean. Strangers compliment me on it. I look at it as both artwork and a courtesy to the people I'm communicating with that they can read and comprehend whan I'm doing. The downside is that I can never get away with anything based on not being able to read my handw...
Read more

Check, please!

Image
My weekly supermarket trip is generally odd enough to support a blog of its own, but God (and Bill O'Reilly) knows I don't need something else to do. Last night, I'm standing in line with my usual assortment of odd items, when I see the woman in front of me hesitate for a moment. The cashier had told her that her order came to $124.25, and this caused the woman to ponder, "I want to make this check out so that I get cash back. What's the limit?" That's right - the check . Of course, the cashier didn't know, because ... c'mon, who writes checks to begin with? She turned to a co-worker and asked. The response came back that the limit was $30. The woman was relieved, for some unknown reason. She said she needed more than $25. She looked at the total again, and then started to make out the check. "Is it OK if I make this out for $150 even ? I need a little extra." Which, actually is a question and a statament, but I digress. She proce...
Read more

Thursday Thirteen v.7

Image
Thirteen Things That Scare Me a Little The Christmas decorations are up at the local mall, but never mind that. Tuesday is Hallowe'en. 1. Any letter from my Condo Association. It makes my heart skip a beat. Usually it's something really stupid that I'm not doing. Tell the people who are doing it and leave me alone. 2. Spam e-mail with T.M.I. I recently got a Spam message that contained my first and last name, from a Landon Nicholson (no relation) telling me that "Your history shows that your Viagra prescription is ready to be re-filled." Uh-huh. My personal history shows that I need Viagra like I need a hair dryer and a comb. 3. When the Boss says, "You got a minute?" He never calls me in to chit-chat. 4. Dying alone. I don't need to elaborate on that, except to say that if I needed Viagra, I wouldn't be worried about it. 5. George W. Bush with his hand on the Bible. I keep waiting for it to burst into flames . 6. My spin instructo...
Read more