Hello this is Sanjay how may I help you?

In a former job I used to call a major database software company's tech support frequently.

The call was routed from call center to call center depending on the time of day.

I found that calling after 11pm got me thru to a call center in Australia who turned out to have the best techs I ever dealt with.

I had to call Tracfone's call center the other day 'cause my cell phone was having connection problems . I got this gal at their call center -- some half-wit -- who made me repeat my email address SEVEN times before she finally got it right.

The entire call was a nightmare starting out with it being one of those "delayed calls" (or whatever you call it) where you keep hearing yourself echoing in the background. Plus I could barely hear her on the line and, when I could, had to keep asking her to repeat what she said as her thick accent was hard to understand. Out of curiosity I asked where she was physically located. She said "Miami"

CHRIS

Why don't you just get a Sprint account? I pay around $60 a month (including taxes and fees) for 900 'anytime' minutes (I can buy 100 more for $5 if I need them, but I never have), free after 7 pm unlimited, and have free digital roaming so I can access any company's cell tower if there isn't a Sprint tower nearby. Nationwide coverage.

Clear-as-a-bell reception. As good as my home phone was. I buy a new phone every 2 years, and with the credit towards a phone they give for my plan (think it was $150 last time) I get a nice phone for free, or pay a little on top of the credit for an even nicer one.

If you set up your account to 'autopay' so the monthly fees just come out your checking account they give a $5 a month discount for doing that.

These days you'll never need a home phone again. Internet you can get where you get your TV. Traveling? 1000's of wireless 'hot spots' for free so you can surf or check email.

India? Britain?

Hell, neither place speaks real English. Might as well have call centers in Malaysia, too, where they also speak that blabbering British dialect.

But it also makes economic sense. The customers with good credit are going to make much shorter calls.

If some deadbeat is going to piss away 20 minutes whining about her boss, the seven fathers of her three kids and how her car broke down ---- then begging for a credit extension ---- let her do it with the guy who only costs $1 an hour.

#3 | Posted by CalifChris at 2010-03-13 02:12 AM | Reply | Flag:

Well, the beauty of a TracFone is that you can always go to Wal-Mart and get another one for $8. My wife even figured out how to transfer your calling credits and history to a new phone.

I'm not sure how true it is but according to a bilingual coworker of mine, if you want to speak with an American CSR, always select the Spanish option when available, even if you don't speak Spanish.

These calls are typically routed to California or Texas but if you select English, you'll get sent to an Indian call center. The bilingual CSR reps are typically higher tier and actually have authorization to break off from scripts and to handle returns/refunds that typically require escalation.

#7 | Posted by katieberry

Spud's giving Katieberry a rarely used Newsworthy Flag fer that gem.

Good stuff.

Be Well.