Well, that sounds pretty good. At this point I can still
refuse to do business with an answering machine or with
"technical service" people who can't speak English, but it
seems the time is coming when I won't have that luxury.


Dave wrote:
That is, of course, after you figure out what number to call because there's
no phone number on the manufacturer's web site.

For some companies, you can call the Vice-President in
Charge of Stockholder Relations and get some
halfway-intelligible answers. I can sometimes cheat by
looking in my contractors directory and call the Chief Engineer.

In any case, a polite & professional demeanor is a lot more
constructive than threats, abuse, and profanity directed at
underlings & helpless drones.

If a company is completely and totally devoted to the
principle of being unresponsive & irresponsible to their
customers, the question you have to ask yourself is: why are
you a customer? Of course in some cases, it's the only game
in town. In other cases, you don't find out until too late.

But remember, you can in fact fight City Hall. But you have
to bring the right weapons... intelligence (both kinds) and
tact are the heavy artillery!

DSK