If you you could hear…..
Originally published at ~+>Blue's Journal. Please leave any comments there.
Yet another example of what i deal with at work….
*pre-recorded greeting*
This is Alex Balla, with whom do i have the pleasure of speaking with today?
Customer:This is Mary. My phone number is (770)555.1212. The Last four of my social security number are 9999. I live at 123 Main St., Atlanta, Georgia. I do give you premission to access my account.
*pause*
This is when i know its going to be a call i don’t like, they know the system and they want something
*un-pause*
Me: Thank you Mary, what can I do to hel….
Customer:I am fed up with BellSouth/AT&T what ever you are. I am FLUSTRATED and ACTIVATED and i seriously am gonna switch to Vonn-age(not to be confused with Vonage, lol). My bill has steadily gone up since this merger, i demanded that you un-connect my Caller ID and Long Distance.
*a few clicks on the computer and a lil typing*
Me:Well, Mary, your bill had gone up $1.50 because the City of Atlanta increased its Franchise Tax. I am sorry that your taxes had change, unfortunately those are beyond the scope of the prices that AT&T charges for service.
Customer:Oh, well i don’t want to pay it.
Me:I do not like paying taxes either Ms. Mary, however, i cannot guarantee your services will continue if you chose not to pay taxes on your service.
Customer:You mean to tell me that AT&T will cut my phone serve up for $1.50
Me: Our billing system doesn’t not distinguish between $1 or $1,000, i apologize if that seems rather harsh, however, keep in mind it is not AT&T that you are not paying when you choose not to pay the $1.50, it is the City of Atlanta. Now think of what happens if you choose not to pay taxes to the government. In this case, we pay those to the City on your behalf for you; all we ask is to break even for the cost of what the city charges us for use of your service.
Customer: The City of Atlanta? Who passed that tax?! I am going to go to city hall this is ridiculous.
*CLICK*