Page 4 - Boca ViewPointe - December '24

Page 4, Viewpointe December 2024
I’m Sorry—What Did You Say?

By William A. Gralnick I had to stop this person multiple times to less and less This tale ends here. I didn’t have it. She was not
patiently explain that my questions were simple. Even available. I will now have to start anew.
I just bought a 5” though the cards look different and have different account I’m frustrated. I admit that to provide 24-7 customer
magnifying glass. It has numbers, are the card benefits the same and if so then service, a company has to find people who are going to be
three different lighting what’s the sense of having two accounts? I did get an awake at the times you call from the United States. What
options and a handle answer—it took almost 15 minutes. I don’t understand is the language issue. If the United
that unfolds so that the I admit I was grumpy with the person because I States government can teach any language in the world
magnification can be put over something making it hands- had called Jet Blue right after I called Aetna and was to soldiers, spies, and diplomats, why can’t American
free. It is of course made in China but that’s not the point. still reeling from that encounter. Again, with the robot. corporations teach people who already speak English
The point is why I bought it. I bought it so I could call Again, with the difficult-to-understand human that I how to pronounce it so Americans can understand it? Am
my credit card company. finally ended up with. This time my question was a bit I asking too much?
The term “customer service” has almost no meaning more complicated. My wife and I have exactly the same Wait before answering because there’s more coming.
anymore. The reality of the switch from people to robots drug coverage through Aetna. Yet for the exact same Next month will come my war with the payment assistance
and then, if you are lucky, back to people, is to be found medication taken the exact same number of times a day, programs for drugs you see on television that have a
via the customer service phone number on the back of a she pays nothing and I pay $146. Try explaining that to multiple-paragraph list of reactions that will cripple or kill
credit card. It is so small as to be unreadable unless one a robot. you. Then you find out once a doctor prescribes the med
happens to be young or a member of the Raptor family The person “helping” me began to describe the possible that you probably don’t have to worry about the reactions
of birds. There’s a reason for the expression, “…eyes like reasons for the difference. One was that my wife could be because there’s no way a normal person can afford to buy
a hawk.” I have misdialed customer service numbers so on a payment assistance program. I replied we are married. the stuff. Here’s a hint: $700+- co-pay per shot.
often, I’ve resorted to the magnifying glass. We live in the same household, we are both retired. How You can’t make this stuff up.
One reason you want to be sure you’re dialing the could she be on payment assistance and I not? Moving
correct number is a fairly new phishing scam. Companies right along…behind door number two was that she had Columnist and author Bill Gralnick was born and
that offer all kinds of deals have taken phone numbers met the $8,000 annual drug expenditure requirement raised in Brooklyn, NY. He recently finished a humorous
that are very similar to the one you think you are dialing. (going down to $2,000 comin ‘25). I said, “Impossible.” memoir trilogy. The first book is “The War of the Itchy
Example. I called Jet Blue about my card. I was one She has not spent $8,000 on drugs, she’s healthier than Balls and Other Tales from Brooklyn.” The second is
digit off, and I got a high-pressure robot trying to sell I am. I asked, “Is the $8,000 number solely drugs or are “George Washington Didn’t Sleep Here.” The recently
me discounted airline tickets. I might have thought I’d there other components to it?” I never did get a yes or published third is, That’s Why They Call It Work.” He
gotten Jet Blue and, once I got a person, I wouldn’t know no to that one. The answer must not be in the book or on is currently working on a novel. His books are available
I hadn’t unless I asked the direct question. Another case the screen. What I got was this. “Well, let’s look at your on Amazon and his other writings at https://www.
of caveat emptor. wife’s account.” What is her account number? williamgralnickauthor.com. 
The next gambit is trying to convince the robot that
you don’t want to speak to it, you need a live person. It
doesn’t agree and begins to ask you questions about what
you want. If you interrupt and say you want an agent, it ª
tells you that you can’t have one yet, more information
is needed. My question had nothing to do with points, or Two Boca Raton Offices: 151 N. Ocean Blvd. • 21073 Powerline Rd. #63
T
wo Boca Raton Offices: 151 N. Ocean Blvd. • 21073 Powerline Rd. #63
miles, or reservations. I have two Jet Blue cards. They
“DEDICATED TO RESULTS”
have different numbers and look completely different “DEDICA TED T O RESUL TS”
JUST LISTED
JUST LISTED
JUST LISTED
& CL
UB MEMBER
POINTE RESIDENT
BOCA
although they have the same unreadable customer service BOCA POINTE RESIDENT & CLUB MEMBER FOR 28 GREAT YEARS!! JUST LISTED
VILLA
VILLA FLORA
FL

ORA
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SOLD
SOLD
3/3/2 Renovated Single Story
FOR SALE
JUST LISTED
FOR SALE
JUST LISTED
JUST LISTED
IN CONTRACT
JUST LISTED
accounts and what the difference was, if any, between JUST LISTED JUST LISTED IN CONTRA CT
them. Try explaining that to a computer. Finally, having
confounded it, the robot got me a person. SOLD $855,000
Ever notice that about 99% of the time the customer 3/3/2 Renovated Single Story
VILLA FLORA
THE PALMS
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IN CONTRA
IN CONTRACT
CT
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all me f
or
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FULL SERVICE AGENT
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an answer that is often not to the question you’ve asked. FULL SERVICE AGENT SOLD 7917 Travelers Tree Dr. SOLD 23291 FeatherPalm Ct. SOLD 7880 Travelers Tree Dr
SOLD 23291 FeatherPalm Ct.
Ilene Polito SOLD 4776 Sierra Lane SOLD 22652 Esplanada Circle W. SOLD 6670 Villa Sonrisa
Ilene Polito
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Needs
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eeds
SOLD 7675 Via Grande
THE PALMS BOCA POINTE
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