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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 13 of 13. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by kara lynne on August 7, 2003, at 18:48:14
I call the phone company about a horrendously high phone bill for a line I had all of six weeks. The first woman I get says, "I'm sorry, I can't adjust your bill just because you want me to." Which isn't what I'd asked for anyway, I was trying to figure out why it was so high. She made me so mad I couldn't continue the conversation.
Next call a few days later: The woman says, "Oh, why did they charge you so much for these calls, let's see...." and the phone bill miraculously went down $37.00.
Next call (They make it exceedingly difficult, with different numbers to call for each section). The woman, although nice, said there was nothing that could be done about the set up charges even though I only had the line for six weeks. But she would inquire about blah blah and someone would get back to me.
Last call. I told the guy no-one had gotten back to me and he said, "Oh. Well I'll just take off that charge as a courtesy." The bill goes down another $20.
My point? I have none. Maybe it's that---what it is to these people to be nice to someone and give them a break? For some people it seems to be the most important thing that they don't let you have what you want at any cost. For no reason other than it gives them power? Or what? What's it to the first woman to check into lowering the bill (which it turned out I was overcharged for anyway)? It was just essential that she be authoritarian and not let me 'win'. It always amazes me.
Like when you go into a store and a clerk will fight to 'catch' you, so that you cannot get a discount or whatever, and the next day you'll find a clerk who will practically *invent* a discount for you.
It's a mystery.
Posted by Sebastian on August 7, 2003, at 20:55:47
In reply to People., posted by kara lynne on August 7, 2003, at 18:48:14
Savings for those who are .... whats the word. Anyways it seems the better you talk to these people the better a deal you get. Works for me.
Sebastian
Posted by gabbix2 on August 7, 2003, at 21:46:32
In reply to Re: People. » kara lynne, posted by Sebastian on August 7, 2003, at 20:55:47
I'm not sure, I've been really nice to people
I don't think I've ever called, or been in a store with a chip on my shoulder. I've had people be downright rude when I've tried to return something with a receipt, when its obviously defective.
I've always wondered the same thing Kara Lynne,
when you find out it *is* within their power to do what you've asked, whether its reversing a bank charge, or returning something why it becomes almost a personal competition. Sometimes that 20.00 can make the difference between having groceries or not for you, and mean nothing to the company.
Posted by kara lynne on August 7, 2003, at 23:29:13
In reply to Re: People. » Sebastian, posted by gabbix2 on August 7, 2003, at 21:46:32
I even had a guy at the Gap once give me a huge price adjustment after the 'time limit'. He said, "Hey, if it makes you that happy, what's it to me? It's not my company!" Ok granted, The big Gap Man wouldn't appreciate it, but he did indeed make my day.
And then you get those people (like you say, who you are nice to) and they just get off on saying "NO. You CAN'T do it. And I'll think of every reason why you cannot do it." And they try to make you feel like you're a criminal or something.
Of course right now the Gap would be a luxury. My sheets have holes in them. I was driving past the place where my ex bought our (his now) bed. I hate my bed. I wake up every morning with a sore back.
Posted by Dinah on August 8, 2003, at 7:06:54
In reply to People., posted by kara lynne on August 7, 2003, at 18:48:14
It's weird all right. I spent a month being nice to someone on the phone, giving them plenty of time without bothering them, being understanding. Nothing got done. Then I had an hysterical breakdown, threatened to sue if the work wasn't done by the end of the day (otherwise I would have lost my favorable rate on my loan) and called every five minutes beginning at four o'clock. I got what I needed at 4:50.
It was really postive reinforcement for some ugly behavior on my part. On the other hand, it was so intensely unpleasant for me to be wallowing in such emotional excess that I doubt I'll make a habit of it. :(
Posted by kara lynne on August 8, 2003, at 12:33:01
In reply to Re: People. » kara lynne, posted by Dinah on August 8, 2003, at 7:06:54
True. You don't want to have to have a nervous breakdown to get what you need--then it becomes a matter of whether it's worth the trouble.
But sometimes it seems things don't get done until you amp up the volume. I guess it all depends on our mood (and med combos) and the lottery pick of the person on the other end. Somehow between 4 and 4:50 you were able to do what you needed to do--and now you never have to do it again.
Well, until the next time.
Posted by Penny on August 8, 2003, at 12:43:46
In reply to People., posted by kara lynne on August 7, 2003, at 18:48:14
I was in Walmart a couple of weeks ago and there's a sign on every register that says if the wrong price rings up, $3 will be taken off the price and if the item is less than $3, the item is free. I was buying cereal and the price on the shelf said $2.50, but the price rang up at $2.87. So I told the cashier, this cute little guy, that that was the wrong price, and he called for a price check and a customer service manager went and checked and, sure enough, the wrong price was ringing up. So, the manager tells him to ring the cereal up at $2.50, and I point out to her that store policy says I should get it for free...
So they had to call over several managers to figure out how to ring the item up as free. Apparently most people don't pay attention to this so it's not done very often. And they acted annoyed, like I was causing trouble for them. But if you think of all the $2.50 boxes of cereal they were selling for $2.87, they're making a nice sized profit on that over time. Plus, if the customer doesn't ask for the $3 discount, they're really making a profit. That $3 is much better in my pocket than in theirs.
Ooooh...that just frustrates me. But, in the end, I got my cereal for free. And I guess that's what matters.
P
Posted by yesac on August 8, 2003, at 16:42:58
In reply to Re: People., posted by Penny on August 8, 2003, at 12:43:46
Here's something that bothers me:
There have been a few times when I bought something (usually at the grocery store) because I thought it was on sale. It said it was on sale on the shelf. But then it rang up and wasn't on sale. Usually I just let it go because I just don't feel like dealing with the hassle, also I go through the self-checkouts a lot if I can.
Anyways - what I find out later or if I go back to check the price, is that the sale has ended. In tiny little writing at the bottom of the UPC on the shelf, it says "effective through 8/5/03" or something. And they just haven't bothered to change their signs yet, so everyone thinks that they are getting a sale price when they aren't! Now I always check that just to be sure.
Posted by kara lynne on August 9, 2003, at 1:46:57
In reply to Sales at stores, posted by yesac on August 8, 2003, at 16:42:58
They *count* on you not checking, or going through the hassle. And most times they win.
Today I went through some retail curtain mania with a merciful friend of mine. They followed us through the store because I was carrying my original bag with me, and you would have thought they were doing an FBI stakeout. They had people with walkie talkies signaling each other, and my friend kept wanting us to get busted for nothing because then apparently you can sue for a lot of money. But I really wasn't up to it, I was just incredulous at how much they wanted us to be stealing something.
When I got up to the counter at the end and explained that I had other things in the bag as well and needed to compare lengths, the person grudgingly said that most often returns are left at the customer service dept. before you continue shopping. By the time I had done my business I had been ripped off around $20 somewhere in the exchange, but I was so flustered and my adrenaline was so hot from being watched like a criminal that I didn't do anything about it.
But now I'm fuming mad.
It's all a big game--sometimes you feel like playing, sometimes you need more medication.
Posted by fallsfall on August 9, 2003, at 8:40:15
In reply to Re: Sales at stores, posted by kara lynne on August 9, 2003, at 1:46:57
See, Kara, you did it. You came up with a fun activity and a friend to share it with! That's all you need to do.
I'm looking forward to hearing what your next creative adventure is.
Good for you!
Posted by kara lynne on August 9, 2003, at 15:52:26
In reply to Re: Sales at stores » kara lynne, posted by fallsfall on August 9, 2003, at 8:40:15
It's only because I couldn't get you to come bowling with me. (I really do have a secret desire to bowl, I have for years--I haven't done it since I was about 7 years old.)
Tonight I am forcing myself to go to an outdoor concert (classical music) with the same friend. She called and said I had to persuade her, because she didn't feel like driving. That was a feat---getting the depressed agoraphobic to encourage the 'normal' one to go out on a Saturday night! But I did it, even though I'm tired (I read your post below, I've been having a horrible time sleeping and waking through the night also) and have no real desire to do it. And I have a raging case of PMS. And I still hate my hair color.
Thanks for the support, fallsfall. Hope you have an easier day!
Posted by fallsfall on August 9, 2003, at 19:05:36
In reply to Activity/ fallsfall, posted by kara lynne on August 9, 2003, at 15:52:26
We could each go bowling near us, and then exchange scores?????
Ten pin - not Candlepin, OK?
I'd go to a classical concert with you.
I'm in the Northeast - are you close by?
Posted by kara lynne on August 9, 2003, at 19:45:59
In reply to Re: Activity/ fallsfall » kara lynne, posted by fallsfall on August 9, 2003, at 19:05:36
Sigh. I sure wish I were.
This is the end of the thread.
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