There's not too much more frustrating than....

[Kim&Chris]

calling customer service for Amazon.com.

You will immediately be connected to a call center in India, where the person who answers the phone is always named "Bob". Bob will talk over you, thus preventing himself from actually listening to what you're trying to say or explain, and having zero understanding of the situation. After numerous attempts on your part to help Bob understand your predicament (in this case, Amazon sent me a duplicate order and wants me to pay to send it back to them), he will put you on hold for what seems to be an eternity.

Once ol' Bob gets back on the line, he will insist that YOU made the error (why would I order the same thing twice, Bob? Why wouldn't I simply order two of them?), causing you to want to slam your head against your desk. You ask for a supervisor. Then "Mary" comes to the phone. Mary is easier to understand, but still tries to imply I placed said order twice. We discuss it, then Mary states she will send me a shipping label.

Oy.

 

[NMAmy]

 

[missypie]

Yesterday I had to cancel our Capital One Visa because their fraud department had identified someone that wasn't us trying to use our number online. I am grateful that they caught it but the person I had to talk to to close the account could not converse with me. She had to read her script. Whenever I tried to interrupt with a question or comment, she wasn't able to understand me...she could only get through it in English with her written script. I finally gave up and just let her read.

 

[legalsea]

Apu (of the Simpsons)

"Thank you! Come again!"

 

[Darsa]

Oh wow, I imagine that must have been so frustrating but I have to thank you for the laugh!

I'm glad Mary was able to help you out. LOL

 

[dis-happy]

Wow, the one time I had to call Amazon it went wonderfully well. Did you use that feature on the website that has them telephone you? If not, give it a try, it worked great in my case and didn't involve a call center in India.

 

[dis-happy]

PS. I just noticed where you live and when you called. Wait until this afternoon when the west coast people are actually at at their desks. Maybe that will help. (Amazon is based in Seattle).

 

[legalsea]

Maybe on a future Amazing Race, while traveling through India, one of the racer's tasks will be to man one of those call-centers. The task is not complete until one of the caller's says "Thank you, you have answered my question or concern".

 

[MonkeyDishwasher]

Abdul (of the Simpsons)

That's Apu. No relation of any sort to Paula.

 

[legalsea]

That's Apu. No relation of any sort to Paula.

I guess I was thinking of Paula! Not quite as funny. I have changed the spelling!

 

[Kim&Chris]

Maybe on a future Amazing Race, while traveling through India, one of the racer's tasks will be to man one of those call-centers. The task is not complete until one of the caller's says "Thank you, you have answered my question or concern".

Good one!!

 

[minniebeth]

Oh my, OP your post comes just in time for me to try to reach Amazon.
I had a credit and then our computer crashed and I can't get back onto my account. I think I will try to follow Dis-Happy's advice. As frustrating as it is, the thread is quite funny

 

[AKL_Megs]

I'll never forget "Linda" I had to deal with at Spirit Airlines when they lost my luggage...

And here is a funny one! DH had called Capital One and talked to "Doug" the other day to change his address (among other things... those "things" being to dispute a charge made in Kenya for the THIRD month... yeah, sadly, we haven't been able to visit Kenya this year. )

Doug was helpful with the dispute and address change, or so we thought.

In the mail the other day, addressed to DH with our new address written clearly on both the envelope and the letter inside, was a letter that informed DH that "Capital One was unable to change his address in the system because it could not be clearly translated."

What does that mean? Clear to WHO? Funny that the LETTER made it to us!!!

 

[Kim&Chris]

I'll never forget "Linda" I had to deal with at Spirit Airlines when they lost my luggage...

And here is a funny one! DH had called Capital One and talked to "Doug" the other day to change his address (among other things... those "things" being to dispute a charge made in Kenya for the THIRD month... yeah, sadly, we haven't been able to visit Kenya this year. )

Doug was helpful with the dispute and address change, or so we thought.

In the mail the other day, addressed to DH with our new address written clearly on both the envelope and the letter inside, was a letter that informed DH that "Capital One was unable to change his address in the system because it could not be clearly translated."

What does that mean? Clear to WHO? Funny that the LETTER made it to us!!!

It must makes ya want to pull your hair out

 

[onyx8]

I have called Amazon several times (most recently in June) and always spoken to an American.

 

[Kim&Chris]

I have called Amazon several times (most recently in June) and always spoken to an American.

As a previous poster pointed out, I may have called too early (before Amazon's offices officially opened & calls re-routed). Next time I'll call later in the day to avoid "Bob"

 

[bumbershoot]

PS. I just noticed where you live and when you called. Wait until this afternoon when the west coast people are actually at at their desks. Maybe that will help. (Amazon is based in Seattle).

Amazon is, but there are no call centers there. There's one tiny office in the middle of the state, but I'm not sure it's a call center. Wait until ND and maybe WV time (if the WV office, that I helped to train, still exists).


I do recommend the call-back feature, or just emailing them.


I will tell you, though the Indian reps can drive a person mad, the ones based here are just as maddening, if you get the wrong one. Trust me, I sat near the maddening ones and had to fix their mistakes CONSTANTLY...


It is pretty weird that you got a duplicate order, though! Doesn't usually happen!

 

[Ephany]

I've had good experiences dealing with Amazon's customer service, although I'm sure I got 'Bob' one time when I was having problems ordering a gift card.

Yesterday I received an email from them saying that they were unable to locate the address to deliver a package and I'd have to contact the post office to figure out how to pick it up. The funny thing is it's a gift for my niece, and it was delivered two days ago in a town of less than 500 people. I'm sure the one postal worker knew who my mom, sister and niece are and had no problem getting the gift to them; I'm just not sure why Amazon sent me the email.

 

[dis-happy]

Amazon is, but there are no call centers there. There's one tiny office in the middle of the state, but I'm not sure it's a call center. Wait until ND and maybe WV time (if the WV office, that I helped to train, still exists).

That is too funny! So much for logic.


Here's a good Amazon story: last week my mom ordered something late in the afternoon (around 4 pm). It was delivered to her the next morning!! And this is a woman who lives on a somewhat remote island in SC and it always takes the post office extra days to get things to her while UPS charges a remote surcharge. SO, you never know!!

 

[Bluestars]

I hate those call centers in India or talking to someone who does not understand English. I called to get an expired Visa gift card reissued. The person sounded like she was from India and put me on hold 8 times during the call. I have no idea why, she just kept putting me on hold.

It took 28 minutes to cancel the card and get it reissued. Something that could have been done in five minutes. I have no doubt she kept messing things up and starting over. It was so frustrating, but I had no choice but to see it through to the end.