Called Verizon, what a hoot... First lady started reading from a...

[NJ_Lib]

... precanned statement, something like: "We do not discuss National Security issues with customers"... I stopped her right away and asked her if that was her response or was she reading from a piece of paper... When she told me she was reading, I demanded to speak with a supervisor... Held for twenty minutes (guess they hoped I would go away), and then she came back on and said: "Supervisor is on another call, can she call you back?" I told her if this is a brush-off, I will be calling back over and over until I receive a proper explanation. Low and behold, ten minutes later the phone rings and it's the "supervisor"... When I asked her under which legal or constitutional law they allowed the NSA to record my calls, she read the exact same statement as above.

Told her that's not good enough, I am her customer and I want to know why they violated my rights... She told me there's nothing more she can say to me... Told her I would be closing my account and she said: "That's Fine"...

Please, call and put your phone company under the same spot light... They deseve to hear how angry their customers are with them, even if it won't change a thing, it cannot be pleasant over there right now...

[katty]

1. we won't discuss NSA issues-but glad to give NSA yr call records!

[kurth]

4. Yep. Next: "When are you going to stop calling your mistress?"

Goddamned assholes. What country are we living in now?

[NJ_Lib]

6. China? n/t

[Botany]

2. I called ATT yesterday

I had called early about NSA spying and a person said they would get back with me.
I have a business line.

ATT "Hello is Tom There."
Me "Yes that is me."
ATT "Well, I am getting back in touch with you about your concerns."
Me "Thank you is has to do with ATT turning over my or anybody else's
records to the NSA."
ATT "What is this NSA?"
Me "So you don't know about the turning over of phone records?"
ATT "No."
Me "Forget it."

[NJ_Lib]

5. Call them back today... They're all ready with precanned....

... responses... Even their operators know what to say... Keep hammering them...

[katty]

8. yeah going to keep pounding them...

[magellan]

3. Good for you, NJ_Lib!

Their behavior towards you was absolutely atrocious. When they think they can afford to treat customers this way then it's time to remind them who keeps them fat and happy.

[NJ_Lib]

7. Exactly... Imagine these highly-paid supervisors...

... doing this all day with people.... That's worth it to me right there... I really didn't expect their attitude to be any better, in fact, there is nothing they can say to me to make this "better"... The fact that they've armed their operators with precanned speeches is very good news... It means they have been receiving many similar calls...

Don't let up people, if you haven't called yet, CALL NOW!

[gratuitous]

9. Good for you

Can you hear me now?

[Nordmadr]

10. Love that, just love it.

Can you hear me now? If you can't, we plan to get louder!!

Olafr

[bowens43]

11. The problem is most customers are NOT angry.

Most Americans see no problem with this.

[SCantiGOP]

19. unfortunately, you're right

CNN this morning had a cache of emails they had received on the subject. Seemed to be about 1/3 outraged, 1/3 opposed, and 1/3 of the "if it can help stop a terrorist attack.....if you don't have anything to hide why would you care" variety. Sickening.

[ComerPerro]

12. There's no reason to harass the CSRs

jeeze.

What do you expect them to say? All they can do is read a prepared statement, probably emailed to all reps.

You really think someone making $8-$10 an hour has to freedom to speak openly about their company's privacy policy?

Come on.

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. A co-worker of mine told me today

that the phone companies were paid for this info. Have you heard that?

[ComerPerro]

14. Haven't really heard. But that doesn't mean the CSRs had any impact

on the decision.

[proud2BlibKansan]

28. You are right about the CSRs

but isn't that their job - to listen to pissed off customers? :)

[Justice Is Comin]

24. I'm positive that was in the USA Today

story. They also threatened Qwest with loss of possible government contracts.

[annabanana]

29. Actually they were probably threatened

with the loss of future government contracts....

It still ends with money changing hands, so, "yes".

[NJ_Lib]

15. Well, if I had the CEO's number in my dex, I may have...

...phoned him/her right up, but since I'm just an average, lowely Murkin, I have to start at the bottom... That's how it works... You complain to CSRs, and they in turn, let their superiors know what's going on... The higher-ups know exactly what's going on...

[Mandate My Ass]

16. exactamente

just be respectful, but let your feelings be known. If they're flooded with calls about this, fewer customers wanting call waiting or the newest telephone gee-gaw will be able to get through. Bottom line is profits. Cut into their ability to turn a profit.

[marions ghost]

17. they don't care

they're the Phone Company.

[Hugin]

18. Lily? Lily Tomlin is that you?

:D

[WolverineDG]

20. Is this the person

to whom I am speaking?

God, I would pay good money to see an Ernestine skit on this whole thing.

dg

[Hugin]

22. .

:thumbsup:

:7

[marions ghost]

23. Yep, it's me Ernestine....(snort)

"Here at the Phone Company we handle eighty-four billion calls a year. Serving everyone from presidents and kings to scum of the earth. (snort) We realize that every so often you can't get an operator, for no apparent reason your phone goes out of order , or perhaps you get charged for a call you didn't make. We don't care. Watch this -- just lost Peoria. (snort) You see, this phone system consists of a multibillion-dollar matrix of space-age technology that is so sophisticated, even we can't handle it. But that's your problem, isn't it? Next time you complain about your phone service, why don't you try using two Dixie cups with a string. We don't care. We don't have to. (snort) We're the Phone Company."

:freak:

[Hugin]

25. Oh, Ernestine! We need you back!

I've missed you.

:hug:

[marions ghost]

27. Thanx to Whom it may Concern (snort)

This is Ernestine here to tell you all again...the Phone Company never did care and we certainly don't care now (snort)...you can complain and sue but you won't get through (snort) We'll just tie up your phone.

[Hugin]

30. .

Ernestine Folks!

Take a bow!

:D

[NJ_Lib]

21. Are you sure they don't care?...

... Hmmm, I don't know... Imagine an extra 50,000 phone calls (only 50% of DU) rolling in today, most demanding to speak with a "supervisor"... I think they may care...

[fleabert]

26. I am late to the party-

can you give me a list of the companies that gave the info over for sure? I have Vonage now, and have had Sprint, AT&T, and BellSouth since 9/11- need to know if I need to make some calls.

everything I have found doesn't mention Vonage, but I wonder... I can't do much to hurt the other companies, as they lost my business long ago.

[Orsino]

31. "First lady"

My first thought was, "This is such a PR disaster that * has Laura taking calls?"

:rofl: