Wasteful Moments in Retirement
Jun 21 2010
We have friends in Colorado Springs who are getting ready to retire in a couple of months. It’s interesting watching from the outside as they go through the house cleaning, garage sales, landlord dealings, planning the retirement ceremony – as well as planning for the new location: schools, house, etc. In a few months, I’ll be interested to watch as they experience post-retirement.
Post-retirement, for us, has been frustratingly interesting.
For one thing, buying the house has brought “joyful” moments dealing with large organizations regarding our loan, particularly with the bank’s 800 numbers. Dialing a bank’s 800 number and waiting on hold reminded me that when I was in Germany, I used to wonder how much of my life was wasted at the Shoppette’s gas pumps waiting for the inside clerk to clear the pump so I could fill my car. I have now found a new and greater source of wasteful moments – phoning our bank regarding our loan.
We weren’t informed when we signed the loan documents that calling the 800 number would result in forty-five minutes of hold time, only to be transferred among three agents and end up back with the original. The only thing worse though is having the 800 number labyrinth bring one to the patronizingly sweet female computer voice responding with replies such as: “ookkaayyy, that was banking, right?” She does not help calm the frustration of an 800 number.
If I could only reach into the phone and shake her – or better yet, talk to the financial institution and ask who approved this? As with all big organizations though, I’ll bet the people who approve these procedures are high enough that they never have to use them.
I hate the press 1 if you want this press 2 if you want this etc I always end up yelling into the phone just give me a live person!
You need to give us an update on the two new additions to the home how are the dogs doing?
Ah, the joy of the customer service number. Hey, I’ll bet we could end unemployment right now if we just hired enough people to answer all the phones on the first ring! No more stupid voice recognition software and “Hi, I’m Julie. I can help you with all your Amtrak travel needs today.” No, you aren’t and you can’t. You’re a stupid computer with serious limitations. Sorry, Julie.
Rob: you have the same reaction as I do. I wonder about the impact on personal communication given the computerized voices and people using text instead of calling people.