Pronouncing acronyms (was Re: DEC acronyms)

On 04/08/10 19:12, Tony Duell wrote: Don't get me started on customer disservice... A year or so ago I ordered some hardware and had it sent to work (the alternative was to take a week off; the distributor wouldn't give me a firm date for delivery, nor were they willing to let me send a courier down to pick it up). Fast forward to last week when said hardware breaks. Turns out it's got a "lifetime guarantee" handled through the distributor. So I called the distributor and ask for an RMA number, and for the replacement to be sent to my home address (which is the billing address on the original invoice, and also the current billing address they have on file). No other distributor has had a problem with this (it was over a year ago, people move, it's a common problem). Their response? "We can't guarantee that the replacement will be sent to the billing address. You'll need to contact the current occupants at the delivery address and have them forward it to you." "That'll be a little difficult. That's my previous employer's address, and they've moved since then. I'm not even sure the building's still there, the landlord was going to knock it down and rebuild it." "Well, that isn't my problem. I can't help you further, you'll have to negotiate with the current occupants of the building." [ After a bit of to-ing and fro-ing, I still can't get the CSR to understand the significance of 'the building is a pile of rubble, the courier will just send it back to you' -- if this happens they charge ?45 to whatever credit card they have on file as a "handling charge" ] "Sorry, I don't think we're getting anywhere here, may I speak to your supervisor" "No." "No?" "My supervisor won't take calls from customers. He's too busy." "Do you know when he might be available? Or can I at least have his name and office address so I might send a letter of complaint?" "The address is on our website. I can't give you his name." "OK... is there a department I can address this to?" "Complaints department." "Right, can I just take your name, for my records? Or maybe an employee ID number or something, just so I know who I've been talking to?" "I can't give you that information." "Despite the fact you started the call by giving me your name?" "I may have given you my name, but I'm not going to repeat it. I feel this conversation has gone on long enough, goodbye. *click*" This is the same company whose "resolution" for replacing a faulty PC motherboard was to send me someone else's faulty board, and call it "refurbished". Yes it was nice and clean, but the blown power FETs were a bit of a give-away... Yes, they're on my "naughty list"... though dealing with the fallout entertainment for years to come. [ Is it just me or are computer vendors about as trustworthy as the average used car salesmen? Although in most cases the manufacturers aren't much better... Antec are great, Akasa are reasonable, ASUS are downright evil ] -- Phil. classiccmp at philpem.me.uk http://www.philpem.me.uk/