Especially when it's for my landline. Today my internet, TV and landline kept dropping out. In order to call tech support when the landline isn't working, I have to go outside to use my cellphone. I get no cell signal inside my house.
So I have to call, select 1 for English, select 4 for tech support, 1,2 or 3 for internet, TV or telephone (I picked 1), verify if the number I am calling from is the account number (2 for no), enter the account number, enter 0 because I don't want to use their automated help menu, enter the account number AGAIN, enter the number from which I am calling in case we're cut off. Oh, while they are switching me to a person, they tell me I have to be in front of my computer to assist the tech support person solve my problem. HAH!
I finally get tech support. First thing I have to do is give her my account number AGAIN. Second, give her the number I am calling from in case we're cut off. She verifies the account information and asks my problem. First I tell her that I cannot be at my computer and talk to her at the same time. I have to be outside to talk to her. Then I explain that all my services (that come in on the same line) are intermittently cutting out. And there is no point in using my cell phone number to try to reach me because it will NOT ring or connect inside my house and I will not be standing outside waiting for a call back.
She asks me to check my service - I AGAIN explain to her that I cannot be at the computer and talk to her at the same time. That I just wanted to register a complaint that the services keep cutting out all at the same time. That I don't want to spend much more time outside because the heat index is over 100 but it is cooling down because the thunderstorm with lots of lightning I can hear coming is causing a downdraft. And that I really DO NOT want to continue to stand outside on top of this hill with a lightning storm on the way.
She asks me to hold while she checks my service. I agree but ask her to hurry. She comes back and says there is no problem. I disagree - there is a problem or ALL the services would not be dropping intermittently. She agrees to send a service technician out to check the line. She wanted my cell phone number for the tech to call when he headed my way - uh, REDUX: there is no point in using my cell phone number to try to reach me because it will NOT ring or connect inside my house and I will not be standing outside waiting for a call back. I thank her, got off the phone and back inside.
I just checked my cell phone - the entire screen is filled with numbers from the insane amount of information I had to enter - that never got to the service representatives. It's not her fault - she did not set up the system. But why the heck can't the fucking PHONE COMPANY put caller ID that automatically enters the number into the service representative's screen? Why does it have to ask for it multiple times during the same repair call?