This is like pulling teeth this morning.

From the travel agent who didn't know basic geography, to a credit card agent who couldn't understand my question as to why a credit wasn't applied to available funds, to an air fare agent who couldn't grasp my travel requirements, to an Amazon agent who didn't get that US and Canadian dollars aren't equal, these have all been exercises in futility. Seriously, how stupid can these people be and why are they answering phones?

Care to share your own experiences?

Yikes! Sound like it's enough to drive one around the bend. Crazy about the Amazon agent.

Many of these call center jobs can be obtained by people who have little knowledge of what area they are working in. It is unfortunate but it's reality. You could always request to speak to their manager if you feel that they do not have the required knowledge to help you.

Originally Posted by scaredandconfused

Many of these call center jobs can be obtained by people who have little knowledge of what area they are working in. It is unfortunate but it's reality. You could always request to speak to their manager if you feel that they do not have the required knowledge to help you.

I try to do exactly this and they steadfastly refuse.

[Thunder Bow]

I once worked at a call center 15 years ago. They are overworked, and now they are buzzed on pot. I haven't called one for quite awhile. Try making travel plans in person, or on your own.

Well, I am still incredulous. How could someone be in the travel industry and have a poor knowledge of what exists beyond the border? How could they not grasp that I don't wish to book a round trip (I am landing in spot A, cruising to spot B and hence flying home from B). Why are they employed in such a job? As for the credit card company. Why on earth would you allow someone to answer the phone without knowledge of basic accounting terminology? And the individual at the Amazon accounting department being unaware that the world has different monetary systems and values? Mind boggling.

Why? I am beyond frustrated. Some of this I can in fact do myself but some of this must also be handled by these people. And 'apparently' no one has a supervisor any more. Aaaaargh!

[Thunder Bow]

That is because there are so many supervisor requests, that the "Supervisor" would busy all day handling all the transfered calls. Many call centers are now located in India, thus the lack of knowledge of the most basic things in life. Did they have a heavy accent? Or funny sounding names? Most likely you connected to centers In India or Bangladesh. That would explain much.

They are often in Manila. Their English is very good. They would pronounce that word Man-EE-la. If you hear that type of accent, you know.

If something isn’t going well on a call, I just say sorry I have to go and will have to call back. Someone else is usually all I need.

Amazon once told me I can ask to be transferred to a US representative. I haven’t tried that. I just remarked to her that she sounded like she was in the US, so she told me.

I never thought that about the refusal to transfer me to a supervisor or someone 'who can' resolve my issue.

I can tell you as a mother of a call centre worker they are very tied to what they can and can't do, so they are very unlikely to be able to flag you up to a senior level unless it's a big problem you have.

I let a lot go when dealing with call centre workers, I know first hand they have a big workload and often face abuse from those who are frustrated, they are usually trying their best. Great tip from Key tones to end the call and call back if it isn't going well.

Well, the calling back hasn't been working. I have called my credit card company now 27 times in the last week to (1) sort out a hefty credit of several thousand dollars that hasn't been applied to my available funds, and (2) have them resolve the issue of a pending charge lost in limbo. You bet I am angry - and on the verge of being abusive. As for the dolt answering the phone for the airline, I sucked it up and went to a travel agent in person. Yeah, it cost me a bit more but saved a heck of a lot of frustration.

I would put the credit card issue in writing to the customer services/complaints dept.

Folks the matters have been RESOLVED.

I used the 'fraud' word with the charge card agents after dozens of calls and, as if magic, I was instantly transferred to another department. It took a few minutes to explain the issues and perhaps two for the problems to be solved. Near instantly all was good. The huge credit was applied to the available funds. The pending charge stuck in limbo was authorised. They even credited me for the difference in the value of currency between the date of the transaction and the date they eventually authorised the charge ($56). Yay!