Sometimes, it's the little things

[lydy]

I needed a little thing from Apple. At least, I was pretty sure it was little. I needed a new A/C adapter. However, since my computer had powered off abruptly for no good reason while the A/C adapter was failing, I also wanted someone to run diagnostics on my computer to make sure that the computer itself was shipshape. There's an Apple store at Southdale, so I attempted to procure an appointment with the Genius Bar.

First, I attempted the Web site. There was a series of incredibly annoying questions, trying to narrow down what I needed, with multiple-choice answers that didn't quite suit. When I got to the end of the annoying questions, it wanted me to sign on with my Apple ID, which I can't remember, and I also don't remember the password.

So then I tried calling the store directly and got an incredibly irritating phone tree with increasingly irrelevant and irritating choices. At last I yelled into the phone, "Fuck you!" in preparation to hanging up. The Apple Phone tree, however, responded, "I am sorry you are dissatisfied. I will connect you with a customer service representative." By the time a real person was on the phone, I was so amused and delighted that the automatic system understood my profanity that I was no longer angry.

I did get an appointment, and it was the A/C adapter, and nothing else was wrong, so it was a win all the way down the line.

Comments

[arkuat]

Yay for phone baffles that understand profanity.

[nancylebov.livejournal.com]

It may understand yelling rather than profanity in particular.

[sraun]

That's really neat! Even if the whole process was annoying.

[apostle-of-eris.livejournal.com]

And they know they need it, but don't change the system . . .
I just repeat the word "operator" until the system figures out it's confused and connects me to a human.

[pameladean]

If that had happened to me I'd have been too convulsed with laughter to explain my problem at all. As I mostly am right now.

P.

[guppiecat]

Most auto-attendents listen for tone of voice and profanity these days. It's a good way to jump to the front of the queue when pushing 0#0#0#0#0#0#0#0# doesn't work.

[riverrocks.livejournal.com]

That's funny.
There is also an Apple Store in Uptown. I've always had excellent fast service there whether I had an appointment or not.

[nancylebov.livejournal.com]

If you want something more dignified and possibly more efficient, try Get Human (http://gethuman.com/)

[lydy.livejournal.com]

Possibly more dignified, but not nearly as entertaining.

[apostle-of-eris.livejournal.com]

Hmm. At the bottom are 10 of the most commonly requested numbers. 7 of the 10 are cable/phone companies . . .