21 hours ago
Friday, July 18, 2008
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Telephone Bill Warning Update
As you may have read, in January, I was being charged for telephone services, from a 3rd party biller that I did not order nor authorize. Well, I’m still dealing with it.
Today, six months after my initial contact to the FCC I receive a call, from them. You will never guess what their first question was...What do you want us to do? Well, DUH, take care of this issue. I mean geeze, ok so I had received refunds, still not for the total amount paid but I was still being charged. Believe it or not they cancelled the service the month that the FCC contacted them, they called to tell me they had spoken with the FCC and would be cancelling the service as requested, but turned around and started charging again. Oh and every time I spoke to someone they had to have a faxed copy of my bill with my full name and address on it to verify, yet again, that I was not the person on their account.
After contacting AT&T several times, they decided to set-up my account so that if a 3rd party biller wanted to bill it they had to have my authorization first. I received three calls looking for an authorization, but the name of the biller was never given. I of course didn’t accept, yet I was still being billed!? Then last month, I finally got someone at to say "OK, let's disconnect this line, luckily this was my office line that I no longer needed, and see if that fixes the issue". This is great as long as they don't find a way to charge my main account. They do that am I’m likely to get an attorney involved! But you will also love what one of the techs asked before doing the final disconnection; "do you know of anyone that could use this number so we could just transfer it to their name?" First, no I don't. Second, why would I want anyone I know to have to deal with this same issue? I mean come on the 3rd party biller is obviously going to bill whoever has that number even if they aren't the ones that requested and authorized the service. They even verified, several times I might add, that neither my name nor my address was on the account they were billing, just the phone number and then agreed that I shouldn’t be being billed. Now that I disconnected they don't have anyone to bill, I hope, but will as soon as that number is given out and these days’ numbers are given out almost as soon as they are disconnected. We had friends that moved and got a new number and a month later I was trying to call them and accidently called the old number and got the new owner of it.
So, I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens from here. I told the FCC, in my fax that included my phone bills, yet again, that I wanted a refund for the remaining paid balance. I also said that I want this company dealt with some how so they understood that they just can't start charging someone for services without verifying all information linked to the account, especially if it is a service ordered on-line. Also, that when they receive a call stating these services were not order nor authorized by the person being billed and after they verify all information and come to the agreement that this person did not authorize the charges and isn't on the billing information that they do as they say they will and cancel the service immediately. Not for one month and then start rebilling but permanently.
Please watch your phone bill, and cellular too for that matter, and make sure that all the charges were charges you authorized. The three companies I have to deal with are, (note: two phone numbers but one fax for all of them):
Horizon Telecom 800-736-7500
Reduced Rate LD, LLC 800-441-9678
OAN Service, Inc./Operator Assistant Network 800-441-9678
Fax number is 877-539-7924
If you find charges from these companies, start by contacting them first as it is best to have documentation that you attempted to deal with the issue before taking it further. Then try the FCC but know that it takes them a long while to respond. Of course, if all else fails get an attorney. I just hope and pray that you don’t have to deal with this issue at all!
God bless!
Today, six months after my initial contact to the FCC I receive a call, from them. You will never guess what their first question was...What do you want us to do? Well, DUH, take care of this issue. I mean geeze, ok so I had received refunds, still not for the total amount paid but I was still being charged. Believe it or not they cancelled the service the month that the FCC contacted them, they called to tell me they had spoken with the FCC and would be cancelling the service as requested, but turned around and started charging again. Oh and every time I spoke to someone they had to have a faxed copy of my bill with my full name and address on it to verify, yet again, that I was not the person on their account.
After contacting AT&T several times, they decided to set-up my account so that if a 3rd party biller wanted to bill it they had to have my authorization first. I received three calls looking for an authorization, but the name of the biller was never given. I of course didn’t accept, yet I was still being billed!? Then last month, I finally got someone at to say "OK, let's disconnect this line, luckily this was my office line that I no longer needed, and see if that fixes the issue". This is great as long as they don't find a way to charge my main account. They do that am I’m likely to get an attorney involved! But you will also love what one of the techs asked before doing the final disconnection; "do you know of anyone that could use this number so we could just transfer it to their name?" First, no I don't. Second, why would I want anyone I know to have to deal with this same issue? I mean come on the 3rd party biller is obviously going to bill whoever has that number even if they aren't the ones that requested and authorized the service. They even verified, several times I might add, that neither my name nor my address was on the account they were billing, just the phone number and then agreed that I shouldn’t be being billed. Now that I disconnected they don't have anyone to bill, I hope, but will as soon as that number is given out and these days’ numbers are given out almost as soon as they are disconnected. We had friends that moved and got a new number and a month later I was trying to call them and accidently called the old number and got the new owner of it.
So, I guess we'll just have to wait and see what happens from here. I told the FCC, in my fax that included my phone bills, yet again, that I wanted a refund for the remaining paid balance. I also said that I want this company dealt with some how so they understood that they just can't start charging someone for services without verifying all information linked to the account, especially if it is a service ordered on-line. Also, that when they receive a call stating these services were not order nor authorized by the person being billed and after they verify all information and come to the agreement that this person did not authorize the charges and isn't on the billing information that they do as they say they will and cancel the service immediately. Not for one month and then start rebilling but permanently.
Please watch your phone bill, and cellular too for that matter, and make sure that all the charges were charges you authorized. The three companies I have to deal with are, (note: two phone numbers but one fax for all of them):
Horizon Telecom 800-736-7500
Reduced Rate LD, LLC 800-441-9678
OAN Service, Inc./Operator Assistant Network 800-441-9678
Fax number is 877-539-7924
If you find charges from these companies, start by contacting them first as it is best to have documentation that you attempted to deal with the issue before taking it further. Then try the FCC but know that it takes them a long while to respond. Of course, if all else fails get an attorney. I just hope and pray that you don’t have to deal with this issue at all!
God bless!
Thursday, June 19, 2008
Summer, So Far
It will be one month, on Sunday, since school let out for summer break. Boy, what a crazy and busy month it has been. But before I fill you in on all the happenings, I have to praise my daughters first.....
Our oldest, Victoria, finished fourth grade, this year. At her elementary school, this is a big deal as it is the last year in the elementary school. Our school system is bursting at the seams so they had to add an intermediate school for the fifth and sixth grades. Anyway, Victoria’s first report card was all A's and B's and she made the A/B honor roll. The second report card had a C in math. By the middle of the next grading period she brought that up to and A! However, by report card time her spelling went down to a C. The child does not like spelling. She was back to all A's and B's on the final report card for the year and back on the A/B honor roll!! She also received an award for her math and Indiana history. To top it off she received the Silver Presidents Award for ISTEP. Needless to say, we are very proud of her!
Sadly, however, my baby, Vanessa, finished Pre-K and lost a tooth. OK, so not so sadly outside of the fact she is growing too quickly. It seems like it was just yesterday that I held her little body day after day in NICU after she was born premature and became very ill. To see her today you would never know!
So back to our summer, break so far.
Let's see it was kicked off with two weeks of evening swimming lessons, followed by two more weeks for morning swimming lessons. Vanessa went from crying the first day to jumping off the diving board at the end of the four weeks. She can be very shy and easily overwhelms when in new and unfamiliar situations. Victoria did very well, from the start; she was ahead of the other kids in her class. As we constantly try to motivate Victoria to get, active in something that will get her up, and moving we had hoped swimming might be it. She would much rather sit in front of the TV all day if she could. She likes to ride her bike too but I'm not real comfortable, yet, in letting her ride too far by herself and Vanessa is too little to go on long rides. However, as I watch them swim/play during open swim nights Victoria seems more interested in doing flips than mastering her lap from one end to the other, which is required for making the swim team. Her excuse is that she can't hold her breath that long. Well, no one can, but if you breathe, every other stroke as instructed you can do it. Her next excuse is that she can't even hold her breath between strokes. I was so hoping she would grow out of the "I can't" attitude she has had since birth. How do you motivate a child that doesn’t seem willing to be motivated to do anything without force!? The instructor told me that Vanessa would be great for the swim team when she is old enough. She seems excited at the thought of it now so we’ll see. It doesn’t take much to get her up and doing things unless she is tired or doesn’t want to do what she’s been asked to do.
We went to the lake for Memorial Day. We have friends with a trailer and boat. My husband grilled two beef tenderloins and boy were they good! He was actually lucky to be able to go. He was hit with a huge case the week before hand and it was taking up lots of his time, and still is.
Indiana has been pounded with rain and storms. Three-fourths of the state has been flooded out and was declared as disasters by the President. So many have people have been left homeless. I think this is the first week we haven’t had any rain, there is however a call for more storms on Saturday. The lake we go to is 30 foot above its normal level. They had to drain it some to keep the bridge from flooding. Though we live very close to a lot of the flooding we were not directly affected by it. That is outside of a sudden attack of allergies. I haven’t dealt with allergies in ages. I can only guess that it maybe all the rain and humidy has caused more mold and other things than normally!? I just wish it would go away! OH and the ants; don’t even get me started there. We have had them in our ½ bath, living room, and now pantry and I’ve sprayed around the outside of the house twice.
So, that about sums up our first month of summer break. I am trying very hard to create some habits this summer one being posting here more than once a month. I’m doing the same thing with the girls. I decided that there are too many things not being accomplished and that that was going to change. If you think of pray that we can fulfill our goals and create some much needed and improved goals.
I am going to take a moment, tomorrow, to post a link to a Proverbs 31 group I took over so the previous owner could have more time for her new baby and family. So check back if you are looking for a relaxed Christian Women’s group.
Many blessings to you and your families!
~Kathy
Sadly, however, my baby, Vanessa, finished Pre-K and lost a tooth. OK, so not so sadly outside of the fact she is growing too quickly. It seems like it was just yesterday that I held her little body day after day in NICU after she was born premature and became very ill. To see her today you would never know!
So back to our summer, break so far.
Let's see it was kicked off with two weeks of evening swimming lessons, followed by two more weeks for morning swimming lessons. Vanessa went from crying the first day to jumping off the diving board at the end of the four weeks. She can be very shy and easily overwhelms when in new and unfamiliar situations. Victoria did very well, from the start; she was ahead of the other kids in her class. As we constantly try to motivate Victoria to get, active in something that will get her up, and moving we had hoped swimming might be it. She would much rather sit in front of the TV all day if she could. She likes to ride her bike too but I'm not real comfortable, yet, in letting her ride too far by herself and Vanessa is too little to go on long rides. However, as I watch them swim/play during open swim nights Victoria seems more interested in doing flips than mastering her lap from one end to the other, which is required for making the swim team. Her excuse is that she can't hold her breath that long. Well, no one can, but if you breathe, every other stroke as instructed you can do it. Her next excuse is that she can't even hold her breath between strokes. I was so hoping she would grow out of the "I can't" attitude she has had since birth. How do you motivate a child that doesn’t seem willing to be motivated to do anything without force!? The instructor told me that Vanessa would be great for the swim team when she is old enough. She seems excited at the thought of it now so we’ll see. It doesn’t take much to get her up and doing things unless she is tired or doesn’t want to do what she’s been asked to do.
We went to the lake for Memorial Day. We have friends with a trailer and boat. My husband grilled two beef tenderloins and boy were they good! He was actually lucky to be able to go. He was hit with a huge case the week before hand and it was taking up lots of his time, and still is.
Indiana has been pounded with rain and storms. Three-fourths of the state has been flooded out and was declared as disasters by the President. So many have people have been left homeless. I think this is the first week we haven’t had any rain, there is however a call for more storms on Saturday. The lake we go to is 30 foot above its normal level. They had to drain it some to keep the bridge from flooding. Though we live very close to a lot of the flooding we were not directly affected by it. That is outside of a sudden attack of allergies. I haven’t dealt with allergies in ages. I can only guess that it maybe all the rain and humidy has caused more mold and other things than normally!? I just wish it would go away! OH and the ants; don’t even get me started there. We have had them in our ½ bath, living room, and now pantry and I’ve sprayed around the outside of the house twice.
So, that about sums up our first month of summer break. I am trying very hard to create some habits this summer one being posting here more than once a month. I’m doing the same thing with the girls. I decided that there are too many things not being accomplished and that that was going to change. If you think of pray that we can fulfill our goals and create some much needed and improved goals.
I am going to take a moment, tomorrow, to post a link to a Proverbs 31 group I took over so the previous owner could have more time for her new baby and family. So check back if you are looking for a relaxed Christian Women’s group.
Many blessings to you and your families!
~Kathy
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
A Dozen Ways to Encourage!
This was in our bulletin, at church, a couple of weeks ago.
1. By sharing the scriptures. Romans 14:4-5
Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. They give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises. May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other-each with the attitude of Christ Jesus toward the other.
2. By your spoken words. Proverbs 16:24
Kind words are like honey-sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
3. By writing! (That's what God did!)
4. By acts of kindness and self-sacrifice.
5. By expressing thankfulness and appreciation to a person!
6. By prayer.
7. By touch.
8. By listening.
9. Through a smile.
10. Through a gift.
11. Through your presence.
12. By examplifying courage and faith in your life. 1 Thessalonians 3:7
So we have been greatly comforted, dear brothers and sisters, in all of our own crushing troubles and suffering, because you have remained strong in your faith.
~Kathy
1. By sharing the scriptures. Romans 14:4-5
Such things were written in the Scriptures long ago to teach us. They give us hope and encouragement as we wait patiently for God's promises. May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other-each with the attitude of Christ Jesus toward the other.
2. By your spoken words. Proverbs 16:24
Kind words are like honey-sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
3. By writing! (That's what God did!)
4. By acts of kindness and self-sacrifice.
5. By expressing thankfulness and appreciation to a person!
6. By prayer.
7. By touch.
8. By listening.
9. Through a smile.
10. Through a gift.
11. Through your presence.
12. By examplifying courage and faith in your life. 1 Thessalonians 3:7
So we have been greatly comforted, dear brothers and sisters, in all of our own crushing troubles and suffering, because you have remained strong in your faith.
~Kathy
Monday, May 19, 2008
The Power of Forgiveness
Did you know forgiveness plays a very important role in our emotions, and how we live our lives?
I am currently doing a bible study, with a group, that's titled "Get Out of That Pit" by Beth Moore. If you have ever or are feeling trapped, in life, this is a great book to read. Up to the point we are at, in the book, the author has discussed the different ways you can get into a pit. You can of course throw yourself in through the things you do but you can also be thrown in by someone else's actions. And again, you can remain there by your actions even if you didn't throw yourself into it. I have been in a pit under both circumstances, as has the author.
Based on several healing topics and books, including this one, I have read, I have found that one of the greatest ways to get yourself, at least started out, of a pit is by forgiving, whether that is yourself or the person that threw you into the pit by their actions.
Believe me; I know how easy it is to say it’s too hard to forgive. I also know that there is a lot of misunderstand as to what it means to forgive. Being a survivor of abuse, by two people, has had me in all sorts of pits and on many emotional roller coasters. Not to mention the fears of what I had to do if I truly forgave.
But as I have worked on my healing and my climb out of pits, I have discovered a lot of facts and truth. First, did you know that the bible has 71 references to the word forgive and 17 to the word forgiveness? Check out www.blueletterbible.org to read some of them. Of course, I’m sure you know that God forgives us as soon as we ask Him too!? But He can’t forgive us if we refuse to forgive others because we are sinning by not forgiving too!
So with that in mind why can’t we forgive others?
I always thought that if I forgave then I would have to allow the person that hurt me, and would continue doing so, back into my life. Yes, I need to forgive and God wants me to forgive but He doesn’t want to see me be abused and/or hurt continually by that person. In fact, He doesn’t even expect me to tell them face to face that I forgive them, just to tell Him I do and to mean it.
Forgiving them would mean I was saying they didn’t actually do anything wrong. Forgiving is not doing away with another person’s guilt rather it is setting you free, free from the emotion caused by the pain and other feelings left behind. And don’t forget it’s not our place to judge and they have to answer to God one day!
I was the one that was bad; after all, I caused what happened to happen, so how can I forgive myself!? First and foremost, God knows we are not perfect and never expects us to be. Second, especially if you were abused, you had no control over your abusers actions. If you were like me, it wouldn’t have matter how you acted or what you did anyway. So blaming yourself and being unforgiving to you is just hurting yourself even more. Just ask God to forgive you for what you might have done wrong and for Him to help you forgive yourself.
How can I forgive if I still feel hurt? Forgiving can be a continual process, believe me. Every time I think I’ve forgiven, I have another memory or flashback and am feeling hurt, anger, and/or hatred all over again. So I just talk to God about the memory and feelings, and forgive again.
Based on personal experience; forgiving (and I mean truly forgiving) sets you free. A huge amount of weight is lifted from you. It’s like a light, at the end of the tunnel, or the opening of the pit, has been lit for you to find your way out. The emotions you feel are so much easier to handle and forgiving the next time you have a memory is so much easier. Not to mention that the emotions you feel at the time are so much easier to handle.
I’ve seen first hand, in myself, how holding on to emotions and not forgiving can control you. I spent much time sad, depressed, and alone and confused. It also put strain on the relationships I really cared about. Granted some of that time was when I was still in the abusive situation and unable to get away from it but a lot of it was trying to ignore and/or run away from it rather than deal with it. I was forced, for so long, to hide my feelings that when I started counseling and digging into my past my feelings went wild. I discovered feelings and truths I never knew existed, or at least didn’t remember them existing. And some of them were for those that let the abuse happen. Yes, it took a while to forgive but doing so is what truly lead me into the healing. NO, I’m still not completely healed but you know I really don’t think you ever are, after while it’s just more about knowing how to deal with the feelings and forgiving each time you need to.
I presently have to forgive others that were part of the past but not specifically the abuse because of how they act today, towards me and my family because of their lack of emotions and/or forgiveness for me or someone else.
I also see, first hand, how holding onto feelings and saying you can’t forgive can control a loved ones life! It’s not pretty. It’s sad and annoying. And believe me, you can’t talk to the person that is unwilling to forgive, I’ve tried. There is always an excuse and the same ones. Instead, all you can do is pray for healing and guidance as to how to help them heal and see how important forgiving is. Some times, you even need to ask for God to forgive you for your negative feelings towards the person if you have tried many times to talk to them and help them yet continue to see them letting unforgiveness run their lives to the point they feel they have nothing real to live for when they actually have everything to live for (that’s an entirely different topic LOL).
So who do you need to forgive? Or do you need to forgive yourself? If you can answer either question, pray to God for guidance. You can also leave me a message and I will help you pray. I’m also here to talk should you need a listening ear or a shoulder. I have felt God calling me to help others in their healing walk and want to follow that calling, so here I am!
~Kathy
I am currently doing a bible study, with a group, that's titled "Get Out of That Pit" by Beth Moore. If you have ever or are feeling trapped, in life, this is a great book to read. Up to the point we are at, in the book, the author has discussed the different ways you can get into a pit. You can of course throw yourself in through the things you do but you can also be thrown in by someone else's actions. And again, you can remain there by your actions even if you didn't throw yourself into it. I have been in a pit under both circumstances, as has the author.
Based on several healing topics and books, including this one, I have read, I have found that one of the greatest ways to get yourself, at least started out, of a pit is by forgiving, whether that is yourself or the person that threw you into the pit by their actions.
Believe me; I know how easy it is to say it’s too hard to forgive. I also know that there is a lot of misunderstand as to what it means to forgive. Being a survivor of abuse, by two people, has had me in all sorts of pits and on many emotional roller coasters. Not to mention the fears of what I had to do if I truly forgave.
But as I have worked on my healing and my climb out of pits, I have discovered a lot of facts and truth. First, did you know that the bible has 71 references to the word forgive and 17 to the word forgiveness? Check out www.blueletterbible.org to read some of them. Of course, I’m sure you know that God forgives us as soon as we ask Him too!? But He can’t forgive us if we refuse to forgive others because we are sinning by not forgiving too!
So with that in mind why can’t we forgive others?
I always thought that if I forgave then I would have to allow the person that hurt me, and would continue doing so, back into my life. Yes, I need to forgive and God wants me to forgive but He doesn’t want to see me be abused and/or hurt continually by that person. In fact, He doesn’t even expect me to tell them face to face that I forgive them, just to tell Him I do and to mean it.
Forgiving them would mean I was saying they didn’t actually do anything wrong. Forgiving is not doing away with another person’s guilt rather it is setting you free, free from the emotion caused by the pain and other feelings left behind. And don’t forget it’s not our place to judge and they have to answer to God one day!
I was the one that was bad; after all, I caused what happened to happen, so how can I forgive myself!? First and foremost, God knows we are not perfect and never expects us to be. Second, especially if you were abused, you had no control over your abusers actions. If you were like me, it wouldn’t have matter how you acted or what you did anyway. So blaming yourself and being unforgiving to you is just hurting yourself even more. Just ask God to forgive you for what you might have done wrong and for Him to help you forgive yourself.
How can I forgive if I still feel hurt? Forgiving can be a continual process, believe me. Every time I think I’ve forgiven, I have another memory or flashback and am feeling hurt, anger, and/or hatred all over again. So I just talk to God about the memory and feelings, and forgive again.
Based on personal experience; forgiving (and I mean truly forgiving) sets you free. A huge amount of weight is lifted from you. It’s like a light, at the end of the tunnel, or the opening of the pit, has been lit for you to find your way out. The emotions you feel are so much easier to handle and forgiving the next time you have a memory is so much easier. Not to mention that the emotions you feel at the time are so much easier to handle.
I’ve seen first hand, in myself, how holding on to emotions and not forgiving can control you. I spent much time sad, depressed, and alone and confused. It also put strain on the relationships I really cared about. Granted some of that time was when I was still in the abusive situation and unable to get away from it but a lot of it was trying to ignore and/or run away from it rather than deal with it. I was forced, for so long, to hide my feelings that when I started counseling and digging into my past my feelings went wild. I discovered feelings and truths I never knew existed, or at least didn’t remember them existing. And some of them were for those that let the abuse happen. Yes, it took a while to forgive but doing so is what truly lead me into the healing. NO, I’m still not completely healed but you know I really don’t think you ever are, after while it’s just more about knowing how to deal with the feelings and forgiving each time you need to.
I presently have to forgive others that were part of the past but not specifically the abuse because of how they act today, towards me and my family because of their lack of emotions and/or forgiveness for me or someone else.
I also see, first hand, how holding onto feelings and saying you can’t forgive can control a loved ones life! It’s not pretty. It’s sad and annoying. And believe me, you can’t talk to the person that is unwilling to forgive, I’ve tried. There is always an excuse and the same ones. Instead, all you can do is pray for healing and guidance as to how to help them heal and see how important forgiving is. Some times, you even need to ask for God to forgive you for your negative feelings towards the person if you have tried many times to talk to them and help them yet continue to see them letting unforgiveness run their lives to the point they feel they have nothing real to live for when they actually have everything to live for (that’s an entirely different topic LOL).
So who do you need to forgive? Or do you need to forgive yourself? If you can answer either question, pray to God for guidance. You can also leave me a message and I will help you pray. I’m also here to talk should you need a listening ear or a shoulder. I have felt God calling me to help others in their healing walk and want to follow that calling, so here I am!
~Kathy
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
A World of Automated EVERYTHING
What happened to one on one, personalized customer service? Now days if you need assistance you have to talk to nothing. Instead, you listen to a recording and punch in a bunch of numbers and what not. Getting to a live person, most of the time is virtually impossible. So you have to hope the “automated “receptionist” can assist you if not!? You are more likely to be directed to visit a website than a person.
Some times this is not really a problem but other times it can be a down right pain in the rear. The worst time is when you are receiving calls that don’t even have anything to do with you yet you can’t get a live person to tell them that. Sadly, the phone numbers on-line don’t help either; they just lead you to more “automated receptionists”.
Oh and worse are the companies that CALL YOU and you answer only to hear an “automated receptionist” tell you to hold till a representative can come to the line. I mean come on is it so hard to dial a phone number yourself!? LOL
Don’t get me wrong I think the growing technology is great but why does customer service have to be part of that technology? Are companies so busy that they can’t offer personalized customer service any longer? If it’s about saving the company money then why are we, as consumers, paying higher prices!? Why not pass the “savings” on to us!? LOL
Now there is a reason for my madness on this issue.
First, if we miss a payment on a bill the company has its “automated receptionist” call us, then we have to hold till a live person finally comes to the phone. If they don’t get a hold of you, the calls go from once or twice to every 10/15 minutes. They also don’t leave messages, you just happen to see how many calls have come in while you were out, and of course, it doesn’t list a phone number that you can call back. If there is a number you can call back your call is answered by the lovely “automated receptionist” that tells you to hold for the next customer service representative. Next customer service for what company!?
Second, the pervious owner of my phone number isn’t paying their mortgage so I’m being called. I answer the phone the “automated receptionist” asks for the person they are looking for and asks me to press X# when they are available or X# if they are not. So I press the X# because they are not. Am I sent to someone to speak to??? NO I’m told to give them the message and have them call the company back. I called the number back and went through every possible option to find a live person to get no where. Why? Because, I don’t have an account number. Well DUH, it’s not my account. My next step to go on-line and contact customer service from there but guess what? You can ONLY call customer service. Via several different numbers. I called each one and pressed numbers till I received a live person only to be told I have to submit my request for them to stop calling me, in writing. OK, I fax the letter to them and of course I told them just how much I “loved” their customer service. I have sent THREE requests. Obviously, they don’t really want to be paid or they would find a different way to contact their customer. LOL
Yes, I could cancel the phone line but this is the phone line I am still battling with a 3rd party phone service provider for the charges they are charging me for services requested by the same person that isn’t paying his mortgage. If you haven’t read my posting about that mess, please check it out because I would hate for anyone to get stuck in this same situation. I have been advised to keep the phone number till this situation has been handled. Luckily, it is my old business line so I can just turn the ringer off and ignore the calls.
The moral to all of this….Personalized, one on one customer, service is far better than dealing with an “automated receptionist.
I almost forgot the grocery stores that now want you to check yourself out no matter how LARGE your order is. What a mess! It took me almost 30 minutes to check out, at Meijer, last week. It either didn't like the scan of the item, or didn't like how I put the item on the belt or wouldn't accept my coupons. The "assistant" ended up bagging my groceries because he was at my register so many times to fix problems. So now you can either stand in line for a live person for 30 minutes or you can check yourself out and take just as much time. Your chose. Again, if they are trying to cut back on employees I hope that means they are going to cut prices too!?
I want to see good old fashion customer service return but will probably only see more automated and self check out come to play instead!? UGH
Some times this is not really a problem but other times it can be a down right pain in the rear. The worst time is when you are receiving calls that don’t even have anything to do with you yet you can’t get a live person to tell them that. Sadly, the phone numbers on-line don’t help either; they just lead you to more “automated receptionists”.
Oh and worse are the companies that CALL YOU and you answer only to hear an “automated receptionist” tell you to hold till a representative can come to the line. I mean come on is it so hard to dial a phone number yourself!? LOL
Don’t get me wrong I think the growing technology is great but why does customer service have to be part of that technology? Are companies so busy that they can’t offer personalized customer service any longer? If it’s about saving the company money then why are we, as consumers, paying higher prices!? Why not pass the “savings” on to us!? LOL
Now there is a reason for my madness on this issue.
First, if we miss a payment on a bill the company has its “automated receptionist” call us, then we have to hold till a live person finally comes to the phone. If they don’t get a hold of you, the calls go from once or twice to every 10/15 minutes. They also don’t leave messages, you just happen to see how many calls have come in while you were out, and of course, it doesn’t list a phone number that you can call back. If there is a number you can call back your call is answered by the lovely “automated receptionist” that tells you to hold for the next customer service representative. Next customer service for what company!?
Second, the pervious owner of my phone number isn’t paying their mortgage so I’m being called. I answer the phone the “automated receptionist” asks for the person they are looking for and asks me to press X# when they are available or X# if they are not. So I press the X# because they are not. Am I sent to someone to speak to??? NO I’m told to give them the message and have them call the company back. I called the number back and went through every possible option to find a live person to get no where. Why? Because, I don’t have an account number. Well DUH, it’s not my account. My next step to go on-line and contact customer service from there but guess what? You can ONLY call customer service. Via several different numbers. I called each one and pressed numbers till I received a live person only to be told I have to submit my request for them to stop calling me, in writing. OK, I fax the letter to them and of course I told them just how much I “loved” their customer service. I have sent THREE requests. Obviously, they don’t really want to be paid or they would find a different way to contact their customer. LOL
Yes, I could cancel the phone line but this is the phone line I am still battling with a 3rd party phone service provider for the charges they are charging me for services requested by the same person that isn’t paying his mortgage. If you haven’t read my posting about that mess, please check it out because I would hate for anyone to get stuck in this same situation. I have been advised to keep the phone number till this situation has been handled. Luckily, it is my old business line so I can just turn the ringer off and ignore the calls.
The moral to all of this….Personalized, one on one customer, service is far better than dealing with an “automated receptionist.
I almost forgot the grocery stores that now want you to check yourself out no matter how LARGE your order is. What a mess! It took me almost 30 minutes to check out, at Meijer, last week. It either didn't like the scan of the item, or didn't like how I put the item on the belt or wouldn't accept my coupons. The "assistant" ended up bagging my groceries because he was at my register so many times to fix problems. So now you can either stand in line for a live person for 30 minutes or you can check yourself out and take just as much time. Your chose. Again, if they are trying to cut back on employees I hope that means they are going to cut prices too!?
I want to see good old fashion customer service return but will probably only see more automated and self check out come to play instead!? UGH
Monday, April 7, 2008
Updates and Changes
WOW, I didn't realize till I just logged in how long it's been. Shame on me! I said I was going to keep up and I've failed.
Ok, before I'm way too hard on myself there has been a lot going on.....
My youngest and I got sick right after Valentines Day and of course whatever the kids get I get only worse since my immune system still isn't what it should be.
Note to self: take vitamins EVERY day! LOL I’m so bad about that. I shouldn't be seeing as though I have to take medication daily already of course when I get sick and/or fall into one of my stressed periods I tend to slack off on those too. BAD BAD! I'm trying to do better. I also need to find a good, inexpensive, vitamin that doesn't have a bad taste. I know that probably sounds very weird but things with bad smells and/or tastes are hard for me to eat/take. Comes from being forced to eat lots of things I really didn't like as a child. I remembering being forced, when I was sick, to eat an entire can of apricots. I can't eat anything but dried apricots to this day. Fruit has to be firm, not mushy and I can't stand pulp in my juices. I also have a bad gag reflex and when I eat, smell or drink things with odd flavors or textures this kicks in and is so embarrassing! We have two cats and a dog and I have to have my oldest clean any messes they make, luckily she doesn't mind.
I also took on a part-time job the first of March. A friend, from church, had an attorney friend looking for an assistant, so she gave her my name. I was toying with finding at least a part-time job to help with finances. I didn't really want to work full-time and not be available for my girls. I love being around for them and helping at school and other things. I had interviewed for the perfect job, at the schools, but didn't get it. But I guess that is not what God had in mind for me and that's fine because this job is working out great! I had said after working as a secretary from before high school graduation till my oldest was three I wasn't going to do it again. I never wanted to be a secretary to begin with. My dad made me take all those courses in HS because he said I would never get into college. I wanted to go into Home Ec or something where I could use my creative talents. Of course my darling husband will say I was doing just that being a stay-at-home mom. LOL But this position is different. First, it's just me and the attorney. No one else to deal with. No office politics or someone (in a totally different position) creating havoc for you. I also only work 6 hours a day, 4 days a week with flexibility if I need time for my family. This is also a new area for me as I have never done any legal work at all. It's been a learning experience, so far, and I'm sure it will continue being so but I don't mind learning new areas and things. The attorney is great too and understands this is learning for me and tells me frequently that she is sure in time I will be a pro and maybe able to take jobs and run with them without supervision and do with better than others. I'm glad she is confident in me because I'm not so confident at times.
I just recently had someone come across my candlewicking and silk ribbon embroidery work, on my site, and contact me to do drop shipping for her. I’m very excited. Gives me more of an excuse to stitch when I’m not doing anything else important, not to mention how relaxing it can be. As soon as I can I will be adding a link, on here, to her site. I hope you will stop by and visit!
As anyway, this would be part of the reason for my delay in posting as I should be. I also promise to do better. I want to keep you all updated on how life as an legal assistant is going and how my stitching is coming along. I’ll try to post some pictures as I can too. And of course I want to share other great findings that I think you would enjoy reading so please stay tuned.
Praying for many blessings to be sent your way!
~Kathy
Ok, before I'm way too hard on myself there has been a lot going on.....
My youngest and I got sick right after Valentines Day and of course whatever the kids get I get only worse since my immune system still isn't what it should be.
Note to self: take vitamins EVERY day! LOL I’m so bad about that. I shouldn't be seeing as though I have to take medication daily already of course when I get sick and/or fall into one of my stressed periods I tend to slack off on those too. BAD BAD! I'm trying to do better. I also need to find a good, inexpensive, vitamin that doesn't have a bad taste. I know that probably sounds very weird but things with bad smells and/or tastes are hard for me to eat/take. Comes from being forced to eat lots of things I really didn't like as a child. I remembering being forced, when I was sick, to eat an entire can of apricots. I can't eat anything but dried apricots to this day. Fruit has to be firm, not mushy and I can't stand pulp in my juices. I also have a bad gag reflex and when I eat, smell or drink things with odd flavors or textures this kicks in and is so embarrassing! We have two cats and a dog and I have to have my oldest clean any messes they make, luckily she doesn't mind.
I also took on a part-time job the first of March. A friend, from church, had an attorney friend looking for an assistant, so she gave her my name. I was toying with finding at least a part-time job to help with finances. I didn't really want to work full-time and not be available for my girls. I love being around for them and helping at school and other things. I had interviewed for the perfect job, at the schools, but didn't get it. But I guess that is not what God had in mind for me and that's fine because this job is working out great! I had said after working as a secretary from before high school graduation till my oldest was three I wasn't going to do it again. I never wanted to be a secretary to begin with. My dad made me take all those courses in HS because he said I would never get into college. I wanted to go into Home Ec or something where I could use my creative talents. Of course my darling husband will say I was doing just that being a stay-at-home mom. LOL But this position is different. First, it's just me and the attorney. No one else to deal with. No office politics or someone (in a totally different position) creating havoc for you. I also only work 6 hours a day, 4 days a week with flexibility if I need time for my family. This is also a new area for me as I have never done any legal work at all. It's been a learning experience, so far, and I'm sure it will continue being so but I don't mind learning new areas and things. The attorney is great too and understands this is learning for me and tells me frequently that she is sure in time I will be a pro and maybe able to take jobs and run with them without supervision and do with better than others. I'm glad she is confident in me because I'm not so confident at times.
I just recently had someone come across my candlewicking and silk ribbon embroidery work, on my site, and contact me to do drop shipping for her. I’m very excited. Gives me more of an excuse to stitch when I’m not doing anything else important, not to mention how relaxing it can be. As soon as I can I will be adding a link, on here, to her site. I hope you will stop by and visit!
As anyway, this would be part of the reason for my delay in posting as I should be. I also promise to do better. I want to keep you all updated on how life as an legal assistant is going and how my stitching is coming along. I’ll try to post some pictures as I can too. And of course I want to share other great findings that I think you would enjoy reading so please stay tuned.
Praying for many blessings to be sent your way!
~Kathy
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)