BC Hydro at Work

This morning, soon after I got started on my work, I heard what sounded like an explosion outside! I looked out and couldn't see anything obvious but did see a man looking up at a power pole. Looking up, I saw a piece of metal swinging back & forth. So putting 2 + 2 together, I surmised that something had occurred with one of the transformers (or capacitors?) near the top of the pole. I immediately called BC Hydro and less an hour later 2 trucks showed up to attend to it. They've been here ever since. I call that pretty good customer service!

Dear Microsoft

Dear Microsoft,

Against the advice of all of my colleagues, I decided to install Vista on a new computer I just assembled. I spent a lot of money on it and a lot of my time to assemble it. I made sure that every single component was Vista compatible, even spending $200 on a video card instead of a $30 one that would have worked fine with XP.

Yet, I kept on getting the same blue screen of death during installation; one which provides no real information about what the problem is.

So finally I turned to your company to get some help. And on the first screen of your website I'm prompted to enter the "Product Identification Number". I entered the number found on the yellow sticker on the product box but am informed that this is not the what's required.

So I looked up on your site to find out where I should locate the "Product Identification Number". Lo and behold, it says to look on the Help - About screen of Vista.

Isn't that just brilliant!!! I can't install Vista and you demand that I enter a number that is displayed once Vista is installed. Is this some kind of elaborate psychological experiment and I'm the guinea pig?

Please send me some competent professional help. And just so there's no misunderstanding, I'm talking about the technical type, though I may soon need the psychological variety as well!!!

Chicago Taxi Dispute - A Shimmer of Light?

Back in early February, when my mom & I were departing Chicago for Miami, the Chicago Carriage & Cab Company refused to pick us up from the home of our friends. Why is not certain but their proximity to Midway Airport was likely the prime factor.

I complained to the taxi company, twice actually, but received no response. I also complained to the City of Chicago. Lo and behold I just received a response from the latter, only two and a half months later:

Dear Mr. Werner:

Thank you for informing us of your extremely troubling cab experience. On behalf of the City of Chicago, I offer my deepest apologies. I do hope that this unfortunate incident will not dissuade you from continuing to visit Chicago in the future, as we have many enjoyable sights and activities to offer! I have forwarded your information to the supervisor of the Chicago Carriage & Cab Company’s dispatch office, who will be contacting you about your ordeal. Once again, please accept my apologies for your inconvenience, and please feel free to contact me if I can assist you in any other way.

Sincerely,
Kate Francis

Wouldn't It Be Nice?

Oh how I wish this was true more often!!!

Crappy Customer Service in Canada

Do you have stories - funny or just plain rants - about poor customer service you've received in Canada? David Berner wants to hear them, possibly to be added to a future book. Post your stories here.