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Joke of the Day: Customer Care Computer Assistance Dept

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 4:54 pm
by Apoptosis
This has to be one of the funniest stories in a long time. I think this guy should have been promoted, not fired. This is a true story from the WordPerfect Helpline, which was transcribed from a recording monitoring the Customer Care Department. Needless to say, the Help Desk employee was fired; however, he/she is suing the WordPerfect organization for 'Termination without Cause.'

Actual dialogue of a former WordPerfect Customer Support employee.
(Now I know why they record these conversations!):
Operator: 'Ridge Hall, computer assistance; may I help you?'
Caller: 'Yes, well, I'm having trouble with WordPerfect.'
Operator: 'What sort of trouble?'
Caller: 'Well, I was just typing along, and all of a sudden the words
went away.'
Operator: 'Went away?'
Caller: 'They disappeared'
Operator: 'Hmm. So what does your screen look like now?'
Caller: 'Nothing.'
Operator: 'Nothing?'
Caller: 'It's blank; it won't accept anything when I type.'
Operator: 'Are you still in WordPerfect, or did you get out?'
Caller: 'How do I tell?'
Operator: 'Can you see the 'C: prompt' on the screen?'
Caller: 'What's a sea-prompt?'
Operator: 'Never mind, can you move your cursor around the screen?'
Caller: 'There isn't any cursor; I told you, it won't accept anything I
type.'
Operator: 'Does your monitor have a power indicator?'
Caller: 'What's a monitor?'
Operator: 'It's the thing with the screen on it that looks like a TV.
Does it have a little light that tells you when it's on?'
Caller: 'I don't know.'
Operator: 'Well, then look on the back of the monitor and find where
the power cord goes into it. Can you see that??'
Caller: 'Yes, I think so.'
Operator: 'Great. Follow the cord to the plug, and tell me if it's
plugged into the wall.
Caller: 'Yes, it is.'
Operator: 'When you were behind the monitor, did you notice that
there were two cables plugged into the back of it, not just
one? '
Caller: 'No.'
Operator: 'Well, there are. I need you to look back there again and
find the other cable.'
Caller: 'Okay, here it is.'
Operator: 'Follow it for me, and tell me if it's plugged securely into
the back of your computer.'
Caller: 'I can't reach.'
Operator: 'OK. Well, can you see if it is?'
Caller: 'No.'
Operator: 'Even if you maybe put your knee on something and lean
way over?'
Caller: 'Well, it's not because I don't have the right angle -- it's
because it's dark.'
Operator: 'Dark?'
Caller: 'Yes - the office light is off, and the only light I have is
coming in from the window.'
Operator: 'Well, turn on the office light then.'
Caller: 'I can't.'
Operator: 'No? Why not?'
Caller: 'Because there's a power failure.'
Operator: 'A power ... A power failure? Aha. Okay, we've got it
licked now. Do you still have the boxes and manuals and
packing stuff that your computer came in?'
Caller: 'Well, yes, I keep them in the closet.'
Operator: 'Good. Go get them, and unplug your system and pack it
up just like it was when you got it. Then take it back to
the store you bought it from.'
Caller: 'Really? Is it that bad?'
Operator: 'Yes, I'm afraid it is.'
Caller: 'Well, all right then, I suppose. What do I tell them?'
Operator: 'Tell them you're too stupid to own a computer!'

Re: Joke of the Day: Customer Care Computer Assistance Dept

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 4:58 pm
by dicecca112
oldie but still funny nevertheless

Re: Joke of the Day: Customer Care Computer Assistance Dept

Posted: Wed Jul 09, 2008 7:35 pm
by martini161
LOL. this one is gonna get told tommorow at work!

Re: Joke of the Day: Customer Care Computer Assistance Dept

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 7:53 am
by vicaphit
I like how he transitioned right into the sarcastic answer.

Re: Joke of the Day: Customer Care Computer Assistance Dept

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 9:19 am
by unfaithfulsfan
It is a funny story but I have to wonder if it's one of those "myths" that gets redone over time. I remember reading the same storyline a looooonnnnnnggggg (1997-98) time ago where the support guy was a Microsoft Support Tech.

Jack

Re: Joke of the Day: Customer Care Computer Assistance Dept

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 1:59 pm
by DMB2000uk
I do like snopes:
http://www.snopes.com/humor/business/wordperfect.asp

Seems that it was a true call, well up to the point where the problem was found out.

Dan

Re: Joke of the Day: Customer Care Computer Assistance Dept

Posted: Thu Jul 10, 2008 4:51 pm
by NAiLs
I'd love to do this kind of stuff to customers every day. Buuut... my job is more important, so I have to deal with it. I get paid too much to give up like that.

Re: Joke of the Day: Customer Care Computer Assistance Dept

Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 4:07 am
by kappage
After reading that, it makes me want to call up microsoft support.... If some one does actually call them and do this make sure you record it!!!

Re: Joke of the Day: Customer Care Computer Assistance Dept

Posted: Sat Jul 12, 2008 8:12 pm
by w00fd06
haha, well, at least the customer support i've talked to isn't QUITE that bad, but good joke.

Re: Joke of the Day: Customer Care Computer Assistance Dept

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 8:35 am
by FZ1
I was dating a girl way back and her mom was redecorating her office. She had me come over because her computer would not boot. I took a look and it appeared she was not getting any power. So I followed the power cord and it was plugged into a power strip, great. However, the power strip was plugged into itself (i.e. - nothing was plugged into the wall). Ha. Easiest fix ever.

Re: Joke of the Day: Customer Care Computer Assistance Dept

Posted: Wed Jul 16, 2008 9:06 am
by kappage
FZ1 wrote:I was dating a girl way back and her mom was redecorating her office. She had me come over because her computer would not boot. I took a look and it appeared she was not getting any power. So I followed the power cord and it was plugged into a power strip, great. However, the power strip was plugged into itself (i.e. - nothing was plugged into the wall). Ha. Easiest fix ever.
She musta been hot, was she a blonde?

Re: Joke of the Day: Customer Care Computer Assistance Dept

Posted: Thu Jul 17, 2008 8:10 am
by vicaphit
FZ1 wrote:I was dating a girl way back and her mom was redecorating her office. She had me come over because her computer would not boot. I took a look and it appeared she was not getting any power. So I followed the power cord and it was plugged into a power strip, great. However, the power strip was plugged into itself (i.e. - nothing was plugged into the wall). Ha. Easiest fix ever.
I hope you charged her!