What do you mean Arrested Development is cancelled!?

One of my major problem that I’m still working on is calling customer service.

For whatever reason it can become a nerve wrecking experience for me. I’ll get nervous before I call and I’ll get anxious while I wait for a customer service rep to pick up.

Yes. I’m a real big wuss.

Another accompanied problem that I have somewhat fixed, is that I back down too easily when my request are denied.

Let’s do a quick flash back to the year 2001.

Setting: Living room. Cell phone. Sweaty hands.

CSR: Hi, this is XYZ Ladder Inc., how may I help you today?

Cap: (hangs up immediately) Okay okay. Deep breath, you can do this. (Dials)

CSR: Freaking jackass― Hi! This is XYZ Ladder Inc., how may I help you today?

Cap: Yes, I’m having a problem with one of your ladder that I recently purchased.

CSR: Are you the one that just called?

Cap: (sheepishly) Uh, no…

CSR: So what’s the problem.

Cap: Well.. I don’t know why, but I get really nervous whenever I call customer service.

CSR: The ladder. What’s the problem with the ladder.

Cap: Oh! Sorry. Well, I was using the ladder… and it uh, sort of disintegrated into thin air. I fell pretty hard to the floor.

CSR: Listen very closely. I don’t care. Some jerk called earlier and hung up on me. I am pissed. You’re the moron that bought a ladder that’s made out of bubbles. It clearly says on the box that: “This ladder is made out of bubbles.” So don’t ever call us again, you hear me!?

Cap: (whimpering) Okay.

. . .

I eventually worked out my problem with backing down too easily. These days I stick with my firm belief that, when I buy a ladder, I expect it to hold my weight – regardless of the materials it’s made with.

Customer service reps are people too. So I usually try to not get angry at them. It also wouldn’t do me any good if I start screaming at them. If a particular CSR is not being very helpful, I usually just try again later. Depending on the way you talk to them, you’ll eventually reach a CSR that’s wiling to solve your problem.

The problem is the pre-anxiety before I call. I suppose it’s because I’m not looking forward to confrontation, which results in delaying the eventual phone call – an obvious drawback, as we all know that the faster you contact customer service regarding a problem, the more likely you’ll receive a favorable resolution.

So far my method of tackling the problem is to just simply call, call, call. If there’s a problem, I make a note of it and tell myself to call customer service at a reasonable time (or right away). If I wuss out and don’t call – I punch myself in the face.

There’s probably a better solution out there.