Not to be sexist but...
Perhaps it's just me, but it seems that when it comes to call centres, male customer service reps are generally nicer and more helpful than female ones. I bring this up because I just called my wireless service provider (that's right, no name-dropping here) to get a phone upgrade.
The first time, the woman refused to budge on the plan offered, though I tried mentioning the competitor's lower rates, did not recommend any other phone plans except when I asked for them one by one, and she was very unhelpful in recommending phones for an upgrade, so I didn't make any changes.
The second time I called, the man was able to throw in 6 months free local calls and text messaging with a phone upgrade when I mentioned the competitor's rates. He also recommended a cheaper plan more suitable to my usage, and waived the activation fee for my phone upgrade. He even sat by for a few minutes while I compared the phones he recommended on the website, then suggested that I hold off on the phone upgrade until I see the actual thing in a store. So I got the new plan, but visited a store to see the phones.
Called a third time to get the new phone, got a woman. I mentioned that I was told that the activation fee could be waived, but she was unable to waive it, which was fine (maybe she didn't have the authority), but then she later put a note on my account that the activation fee could not be waived and that this had been clearly explained to me. She was, however, able to offer me the 6 months free local calls and text messaging. I was getting the text messaging and voicemail in a special package already, however, and when I told her so, she said that I would still have to pay the full package fee, meaning the 6 month offer was pointless. She did not offer anything else instead. So of course I didn't get my phone.
Fourth call, got a man this time. Again mentioned the fee waiver, and he says that he can't do anything in that regard, and mentions the note left by the previous woman. But then, he offers to transfer me to his supervisor who would have the authority to waive the activation fee. His supervisor (also a man) not only happily waives the fee, but throws in the 6 months free local calls and text messaging, plus gives me the $50 rebate on the phone right away.
So, moral of the long and boring story: it's hard not to be sexist sometimes.
An informal survey within my family also shows that female customs officers and female examiners also tend to be more difficult. This is particularly true for early middle-aged (30-40 yrs old) females. Older (50+ yrs old) males tend to be most accomodating. Care to add your own opinion?
The first time, the woman refused to budge on the plan offered, though I tried mentioning the competitor's lower rates, did not recommend any other phone plans except when I asked for them one by one, and she was very unhelpful in recommending phones for an upgrade, so I didn't make any changes.
The second time I called, the man was able to throw in 6 months free local calls and text messaging with a phone upgrade when I mentioned the competitor's rates. He also recommended a cheaper plan more suitable to my usage, and waived the activation fee for my phone upgrade. He even sat by for a few minutes while I compared the phones he recommended on the website, then suggested that I hold off on the phone upgrade until I see the actual thing in a store. So I got the new plan, but visited a store to see the phones.
Called a third time to get the new phone, got a woman. I mentioned that I was told that the activation fee could be waived, but she was unable to waive it, which was fine (maybe she didn't have the authority), but then she later put a note on my account that the activation fee could not be waived and that this had been clearly explained to me. She was, however, able to offer me the 6 months free local calls and text messaging. I was getting the text messaging and voicemail in a special package already, however, and when I told her so, she said that I would still have to pay the full package fee, meaning the 6 month offer was pointless. She did not offer anything else instead. So of course I didn't get my phone.
Fourth call, got a man this time. Again mentioned the fee waiver, and he says that he can't do anything in that regard, and mentions the note left by the previous woman. But then, he offers to transfer me to his supervisor who would have the authority to waive the activation fee. His supervisor (also a man) not only happily waives the fee, but throws in the 6 months free local calls and text messaging, plus gives me the $50 rebate on the phone right away.
So, moral of the long and boring story: it's hard not to be sexist sometimes.
An informal survey within my family also shows that female customs officers and female examiners also tend to be more difficult. This is particularly true for early middle-aged (30-40 yrs old) females. Older (50+ yrs old) males tend to be most accomodating. Care to add your own opinion?
posted by Lucky Monkey at
10:44 p.m.
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