I KNEW you'd ask me for that

[brucetiki]

Ok first thread I'm starting on here.

I work in a call centre for a motoring organisation. Members of this organisation can also receive discounts for various tourism products (theme park tickets, hire cars etc). However, these discounts are 'Members only' products.

You'd be amazed the number of people that phone up wanting one of these discounts, and when I ask for their membership number, the most common response is 'I KNEW you'd ask me that'. Then there's a pause for a moment or two as the member rumages their wallet/purse for their membership card, whilst I sit there thinking, 'You know you're asking for a members only service, you're expecting to be asked for your membership number, so why would you not have it handy'.

[MannersMakethMan]

I sit there thinking, 'You know you're asking for a members only service, you're expecting to be asked for your membership number, so why would you not have it handy'.

I KNEW you'd ask me that!

I swear there's some process where you pick up the phone and lose 40 IQ points. Some people nearly drop into the negative from this - just read a Gravekeeper thread for examples

Also, welcome to CS!

[elysia]

Since Christmas I've had about 100+ customers who come in, have me do their shipping labels, tape up their packages and shit - and then say, "Oh my wallet is in the car. Let me go get it." OR "Oh I have to go to the ATM really quick. Be right back." Do these same people do their grocery shopping in this manner? Wait till the cashier needs their money before it dawns on them this is an essential step in EVERY SINGLE BUSINESS TRANSACTION they have and will ever perform?

On another note, yes, read Gravekeeper's posts. But just make sure you're not drinking anything at the time.

[Rivulatus]

and then say, "Oh my wallet is in the car. Let me go get it." OR "Oh I have to go to the ATM really quick. Be right back." Do these same people do their grocery shopping in this manner? Wait till the cashier needs their money before it dawns on them this is an essential step in EVERY SINGLE BUSINESS TRANSACTION they have and will ever perform?

Dunno about their groceries, but in our computer shop they do the same thing. The numbnuts get right to the register, to the point where the cashier asks for their money, before announcing that their wallet is in the car (or at home). Our system allows the cashier to save their sale so they can go on to the next customer without having to ring up the whole sale again, but it is still annoying. I've even had one super-stupid who quite seriously asked if he could take the goods now and bring the money back later because his wallet was at home.

The other stupids are the ones who want to present cheques, sign up for finance contracts etc, but have no I.D. with them. Not even their driver's licence. Then they get upset that you won't sign them up or accept a cheque from them without ID. So let me get this straight, you drove here, but you aren't carrying your licence - should I call the police?

We joke about it quite a bit at work, that we should put an IQ test at the doorway. I think it would solve a lot of our SC dramas if we turned away everyone with IQ below 100.

[HowMayIHelpYouToday]

SC: Can I have the phone # to [department x]?
Me: Sure, it's...
SC: Hold on let me get a pen... this one doesn't work... ok this one does... now let me get some paper....
Me: ....



SC: Can you cancel my checkcard?
Me: Sure may I please have your SS#?
SC: Don't have it.
Me: Account #?
SC: Don't have it.
Me: Automated phone system ID or online ID?
SC: Don't have it.
Me: Full name and state where account was opened?
SC: Mary Smith in NJ or Jose Gomez in TX.
Me: Zip code?
SC: Don't have it.
Me: I'm sorry you're going to have to call back once you have your account number.
SC: Did you block my checkcard?
Me: No, I haven't.
SC: Why?

[fireheart]

Heehee, why do I get the feeling you work for the RAA?

[HowMayIHelpYouToday]

RAA? Recording Artists Association? (RIAA in the US, I believe, but I could be wrong... but that's probably not what you mean...)

[Ill_Used_Heroine]

We get this ALL the time at the library. We cannot check out or renew any items without the actual library card, nor can we renew items over the phone without the library card number.

"Can't you just look up my name?"
"Sure I can, but I cannot, however, check out anything without your library card physically in my hand."

Hello! You drove all the way here, didn't you? Why would you not make sure you had your library card, or why would you leave your wallet in the car?

And the people who call us to renew over the phone -- "I just KNEW you were gonna ask for my library card number ... *sigh* now I have to find it." Yeah, if you just knew I was gonna ask for it, why didn't you f'ing make sure you had it before you called?!

Then there's the ones who apply for library cards, who leave their photo ID (usually their driver's license) in the car. Did you think we were just gonna hand you a library card without it? There's even been ones that tell me they left their license at home and I'm like, did you drive here, and they're all ... um, yeah. Very bright, to leave your driver's license at home when you're driving your car. Hope you don't get pulled over, Einstein.

[fireheart]

RAA? Recording Artists Association? (RIAA in the US, I believe, but I could be wrong... but that's probably not what you mean...)

RAA-Royal Automobile Association. Basically my state's Roadside assistance. There are other versions as well, such as RACQ (Royal Automobile Club Queensland) and a Victorian version as well...that's all I can remember.

I only ask because my neighbour works for them...handy when the car won't start on a Wednesday morning!

[friendofjimmyk]

AAA maybe?

[Nyoibo]

I always forget to use my RAA membership for discounts, must remember it when I get tires next.

[fireheart]

AAA maybe?

Something like that. They also get discounts on various holiday things. My parents are members (I'm not-don't have a car, let alone license) and my neighbour works for them...not only is it extremely handy when my parents cars don't start, but he also builds hot rods as well.

[Chromatix]

In Britain, I don't think it's mandatory to have your driver's licence with you while driving. If you don't have it when a police officer has reason to ask for it, you'll get the option to bring it to a police station within a few days of that time.

[Alpha Strike]

I KNEW you'd ask me that!

I swear there's some process where you pick up the phone and lose 40 IQ points. Some people nearly drop into the negative from this - just read a Gravekeeper thread for examples

Ugh. These calls are the bane of my existence.

The only thing that makes is worse is when they preface this statement by complaining about how LONG they were on hold waiting to talk to me. It's very hard resisting the temptation to ask them a) Why they didn't get their information ready during their LONG wait or b) do they realize that the reason they wait so long is that seemingly every numbskull before them pulled the exact same jackassery.

SC: Can I have the phone # to [department x]?
Me: Sure, it's...
SC: Hold on let me get a pen... this one doesn't work... ok this one does... now let me get some paper....
Me: ....



SC: Can you cancel my checkcard?
Me: Sure may I please have your SS#?
SC: Don't have it.
Me: Account #?
SC: Don't have it.
Me: Automated phone system ID or online ID?
SC: Don't have it.
Me: Full name and state where account was opened?
SC: Mary Smith in NJ or Jose Gomez in TX.
Me: Zip code?
SC: Don't have it.
Me: I'm sorry you're going to have to call back once you have your account number.
SC: Did you block my checkcard?
Me: No, I haven't.
SC: Why?

Sounds exactly like my calls.

Another common statement coming from the SC.

Me: May I have your account ID or SSN?
SC: Sorry I'm at work - I don't have that.


WTF?! Yeah, I'm at work too - what's your point?

[casey13]

I never have my library card with me but I can rattle it off the top of my head. The guy was like "woah..."