Well, I guess I know what I'm getting for Christmas...

[Boozy]

My husband has bought me an iPhone.

How do I know this, and why is this in "Things I Hate"?

Because our cell phone company sucks balls, that's why.

I just got a call on my existing cell phone (the phone is in Mr. Boozy's name). The person on the other end asked for my husband. I replied "This is his wife. Mr. Boozy's not available. May I ask who's calling?"

Here's what they said: "I'm calling from Sucktastic Cellular. Mr. Boozy has recently purchased an upgrade to the iPhone 3GS and we're conducting a survey to determine his satisfaction with that purchase. Is there another number where we can reach him?"

I was surprised, of course, and sort of muttered, "We don't do surveys. Sorry, but I can't provide you with another number. Goodbye."

After I hung up, though, I realized that I should have asked some follow-up questions. Because now I was in one hell of a predicament.

On one hand, I could assume that the upgrade is a gift, say nothing to my husband about the call, and act surprised on Christmas Day. Surprising someone is a wonderful part of gift-giving. I was robbed of the surprise, but he didn't have to know that, right?

On the other hand, what if he hadn't purchase an upgrade and this was a mistake, or possible fraud? Better nip it in the bud, right?

So I told Mr. Boozy about the call. "God-DAMN it! I told them not to call!"

So there you go. Our cell phone company RUINED CHRISTMAS.

/PFB-style rant.

[Boozy]

Hilarious update!

This just happened now. Mr. Boozy decided to call our phone company to complain. He pleasantly made the suggestion that people be allowed to opt out of customer satisfaction phone surveys.

In fact, he was kinder than I might have been. He suggested that if these surveys were of such great importance to Sucktastic Cellular, then by all means they should call, but perhaps waiting until after Christmas would be better. Especially in cases where the customer has indicated that the upgrade is a gift, and the number they call belongs to the cell phone of the gift recipient.

So they responded by telling him that they've made a note on the account indicating that we were to receive no customer satisfaction calls in the future. It's not precisely what he was asking for, but it will do. He thanked them and hung up.

Thirty seconds later, the phone rang. It was an automated customer satisfaction survey from Sucktastic cellular asking him if he was happy with the service he received during his recent call.

We just looked at each other and started gut laughing. We're going to drop the whole thing. Choose your battles wisely.

[jackfaire]

Sorry lol at the last bit with the auto survey thing. But yeah that sucks. Hopefully he still finds a way to surprise.

[HYHYBT]

Funny; I don't have an iPhone, but I am with their carrier and have *never* gotten a survey call. Which is too bad for them, because apparently I'm also their only customer who likes the service.

[Slytovhand]

Just to be a right rainer on your mirth and hilarity (but, perhaps, end such shenanigans), and also realising that I'm not a Canuckistani...

But hadn't that CSR person who rang just broken privacy laws? If the phone is in his name, then they've just given out information to someone who has not been identified as Mr Boozy....

Just a technicality, but where I used to work, would have been enough to get you fired (well, in theory.... if they didn't like you and needed the ammunition).

[jackfaire]

Just to be a right rainer on your mirth and hilarity (but, perhaps, end such shenanigans), and also realising that I'm not a Canuckistani...

But hadn't that CSR person who rang just broken privacy laws? If the phone is in his name, then they've just given out information to someone who has not been identified as Mr Boozy....

Just a technicality, but where I used to work, would have been enough to get you fired (well, in theory.... if they didn't like you and needed the ammunition).

Not if she is listed on the account she just identified herself as his wife and they called her phone number. Also can depend on the area in some areas you can discuss the account with a significant other even if they aren't on the account as some places she is equally responsible for that account

[Boozy]

Funny; I don't have an iPhone, but I am with their carrier and have *never* gotten a survey call. Which is too bad for them, because apparently I'm also their only customer who likes the service.

I'm in Canada. The iPhone is now available with all cellular service carriers here.

I'm assuming that it's still exclusive to AT&T in the US?

[powerboy]

I'm in Canada. The iPhone is now available with all cellular service carriers here.

I'm assuming that it's still exclusive to AT&T in the US?

Yes they are. I have an iPhone myself.

Just on the hearsay, but I heard that Apple is looking elsewhere to take the iPhone. Now to find that link. But then again, it is heresay

[HYHYBT]

Oh. That's different then...

[gremcint]

Actually I find at least for Rogers they do no validation whatsoever on their marketing calls, they ask my name and if I want to buy whatever not having me validate at all, sure they called my number but I could be:
-sibling who wants to screw me over
-roommate
-guest
-burglar
-forwarded phone call
-any other person in the house

Next time I get one of those calls I am asking them to stop.

[jackfaire]

Actually I find at least for Rogers they do no validation whatsoever on their marketing calls, they ask my name and if I want to buy whatever not having me validate at all, sure they called my number .

Calling that phone number and assuming the person on the other end is you is better validation than anything else.

Unless for example you put a password on your account anyone can claim to be you validate typically three pieces of information and have full access to your account.

[DesignFox]

For a second I thought you were talking about AT&T Boozy. That would suck for me. We're doing a lot of activations for Christmas...A lot of them are going to kids as presents...and I know AT&T also uses automated survey calls, though typically they only go to the account holder I believe....

We'd get lots of pissed off parents. Our system doesn't allow us to future-date activations!

And yes, iPhone is still currently exclusive to AT&T in the US. If I ever get motivated, Steve Jobs will be getting a huge bill in lost sales from the authorized dealers he has so kindly excluded from selling the phone. Jerk.