Be sure and cancel your credit cards before you die.
This is so priceless, and so easy to see happening, customer service being what it is today.
A lady died this past January, and Citibank billed her for February and March for their annual service charges on her credit card, and then added late fees and interest on the monthly charge. The balance had been $0.00, now is somewhere around $60.00.
A family member placed a call to Citibank:
Family Member: "I am calling to tell you that she died in January."
Citibank: "The account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply."
Family Member: "Maybe you should turn it over to collections."
Citibank: "Since it is two months past due, it already has been."
Family Member: So, what will they do when they find out she is dead?"
Citibank: "Either report her account to the frauds division or report her to the credit bureau, maybe both!"
Family Member: "Do you think God will be mad at her?"
Citibank: "Excuse me?"
Family Member: "Did you just get what I was telling you . . the part about her being dead?"
Citibank: "Sir, you'll have to speak to my supervisor."
Supervisor gets on the phone:
Family Member: "I'm calling to tell you she died in January."
Citibank: "The account was never closed and the late fees and charges still apply."
Family Member: "You mean you want to collect from her estate?"
Citibank: (Stammer) "Are you her lawyer?"
Family Member: "No, I'm her great nephew." (Lawyer info given)
Citibank: "Could you fax us a certificate of death?"
Family Member: "Sure." (fax number is given)
After they get the fax:
Citibank: "Our system just isn't setup for death. I don't know what more I can do to help."
Family Member: "Well, if you figure it out, great! If not, you could just keep billing her. I don't think she will care."
Citibank: "! Well, the late fees and charges do still apply."
Family Member: "Would you like her new billing address?"
Citibank: "That might help."
Family Member: "Odessa Memorial Cemetery, Highway 129, Plot Number 36."
Citibank: "Sir, that's a cemetery!"
Family Member: "What do you do with dead people on your planet?"
The real problem is that there IS NO MORE CUSTOMER SERVICE in this world!!! Yes, there are a few exceptions (like most of those companies involved with Viper parts/service/suppliers; i.e., Sean/ROE RACING, David Weaver, Len M., and Jon B. to quickly name a few that I know.)
But, outside our little Viper world, it is phucking mind-boggling how little Companies actually give a shit about their customers these days!
Sadly, I see it every day in all types of industries!!! (Most recently at U-Haul, and from a General Manager, no less, with four people that I observed.)
Maybe being in sales all my life, and true customer service instilled early in my career, I grew up with a whole different mind set.
I guess that there are so many companies that have so much more business than they want, so they really just do not care!!!
I think I spoke with the same person in 2000 after a family member died.
I get a new letter every time the account is sold (4 times to date)
The last letter came 2 yrs ago. They did not have a death certificate on file. I decided I would send a copy certified mail...Along with the photo of the headstone.
The real problem is that there IS NO MORE CUSTOMER SERVICE in this world!!!
Everytime I get an automated system I just wanna go all Tron and climb inside the fucking phone, wrap the wires around the stupid f'ing things electric neck and make like a snake and fucking s-q-e-e-z-e!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hey, at least they got to speak with a person who understood english.
I don't know how many times i've been sent to some third world call center with people who are basically clueless trying to provide some form of service.
Ahhh... it's good to be in Japan. Outstanding and professional service from people because they care. To top it off, there is no tipping. Service industry workers consider it insulting to be offered a tip. It implies they don't make enough at their job.
If any of you get the chance I highly recommend a visit. Preferably to Kyoto and the country side, to see traditional Japan.
Of course the influence of western culture is slowly poisoning Japan as well. I guess I'll just have to enjoy it while I can.
Ahhh... it's good to be in Japan. Outstanding and professional service from people because they care. To top it off, there is no tipping. Service industry workers consider it insulting to be offered a tip. It implies they don't make enough at their job.
If any of you get the chance I highly recommend a visit. Preferably to Kyoto and the country side, to see traditional Japan.
Of course the influence of western culture is slowly poisoning Japan as well. I guess I'll just have to enjoy it while I can.
-SD
Yo, where in japan are you at? I'm in Tokyo for the next 6 months.
It's okay not to pay tips but the friggin prices are 3 times what i would pay in the us...
Definitely not a fan of outsourcing. Usually it's like "Ohh shit there are no canned responses in my script for your question...ummmm I'll just repeat what I started with..." Sooooo frustrating.
Usually it's like "Ohh shit there are no canned responses in my script for your question...ummmm I'll just repeat what I started with..." 
Sooooo frustrating.
Linear Mode
