the smedley log - suburban scrawl

Really, I didn’t have anything better to do

I’m moving – as in physically changing my abode – starting on Tuesday. The upheaval in my life has opened up various opportunities, including changing many address profiles, packing things and transferring or setting up service arrangements.

One change I was contemplating was a switch from traditional phone service and DSL to the much vaunted Comcast Triple Play. So I wandered over to the Comcast website to try to alter my service profile. At a certain point in the process, I was pushed into a chat with one of their distinguished “analysts.” Here’s how it went:

user guest_ has entered room

analyst Justin has entered room

Justin(Sun Sep 02 2007 13:20:08 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))> Hello guest_, Thank you for contacting Comcast Live Chat Support. My name is Justin. Please give me one moment to review your information.

Justin(Sun Sep 02 2007 13:20:09 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))> Just a moment while I pull up your order information. With whom do I have the pleasure of speaking with?

guest_(Sun Sep 02 2007 13:20:36 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))> Howard Hall

Justin(Sun Sep 02 2007 13:20:39 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))> Thank you Howard, one moment while I access your order.

Justin(Sun Sep 02 2007 13:23:03 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))> I am sorry Howard, but my billing system is not responding. I am unable to process your order at this time. You may try back in 24 hours or contact your local office at 55 Industrial Dr., Ivyland, PA 18974. Phone number: 215-343-5425 Hours: Mon-Fri 8:00 am – 6:00 pm.

Justin(Sun Sep 02 2007 13:23:10 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))> I do apologize for your inconvenience.

Justin(Sun Sep 02 2007 13:23:15 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))> Is there anything else that I can assist you with today?

guest_(Sun Sep 02 2007 13:23:35 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))> Nope

Justin(Sun Sep 02 2007 13:23:33 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))> We appreciate your business and look forward to serving you further. Please do not hesitate to chat with Comcast again at www.comcast.com. We are always available, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Have a wonderful day!

Justin(Sun Sep 02 2007 13:23:48 GMT-0400 (Eastern Daylight Time))> Analyst has closed chat and left the room

How productive.

I always enjoy being referred to as a “guest.” It leaves me with the short-lived hope that somehow I won’t be receiving a bill from Comcast next month.

Actually, that’s a distinct possibility, depending on how many hurdles I have to clear to get this done.

“With whom do I have the pleasure of speaking with?”

Additionally, I always love it when folks go out of their way to reconstruct a clause, putting the preposition at the beginning (presumably to avoid ending with said preposition), only to regurgitate the same preposition at the end.

It’s my opinion that when you move, you should relocate to S. Smedley St near Rittenhouse Square.

Cause that’d be awesome.

I knew I was forgetting something – sadly, my new abode is already set.

[…] Really, I didn’t have anything better to do » This Summary is from an article posted at > the smedley log on Sunday, September 02, 2007 This […]

Um, that’s just WRONG. Wow. Hey, I see that since you didn’t have anything better to do, you changed your blog design. (Sorry, it’s one of the bad things about RSS readers…I don’t click over to see the art enough.) Nice…clean. I like it.

I like the new minty fresh green vibe here.
Good luck with your new place!

Once their billing system didn’t respond, I would have been interested to see what else they could have assisted you with.
“Can you order me a pizza?” or
“Yes, I would like someone to help me move.” or
“Sure, could you call Verizon to see if FIOS is available in my area?”

Frank and Jessica – I’m glad you noticed the changes. I decided to do a soft opening with this one. I felt it was time.

Anthony – I already checked into Fios for the new address and its not available yet. Incidentally, if I were to move across the street from the new place, I’d not only have access to Fios, but I’d be in one of those rare municipalities that lets you get Fios TV.

Funny: I’m also moving as of the first weekend in October. But I’m going from what my folks have now (Comcast Triple Play) to AT&T DSL/phone, because it’s much cheaper and Comcast is utter shit.

I think AT&T’s trying to hide their 6Mbps option from me, though.

Helio – good luck with the move.

I won’t be taking advantage of the triple play deal, but the place where I’ll be living has excellent deals on Comcast cable, which is the only choice around here for now.

i can tell you i work at at&t and if you qualify for 6meg we definitely want you to have it!