Trouble in river city

[susandennis]

I'm not sure what Bell South is up to but apparently restoring Mom's phone and DSL service isn't on their 'completed' list.  For some reason that just completely disconnected her.  Her phone, her DSL AND her account.  I cannot even get in via their web page - the account is listed as canceled.  Nice. 

I talked to a nice young woman who explained that if the phone isn't hooked up then they can't bill.  If they can't bill then you can't have an internet account.  And that's just the way it is.  Nice. 

She said maybe tomorrow.  Maybe Sunday but if there was no service by Monday, to call back.  ???!!!!  I suspect they have been talking to the Fed Ex people who aren't delivering my package.  Nice.

And speaking of things that are pissing me off.  I wonder if it's kosher to drop one independent insurance agent for another and keep the same insurance company.  I like the insurance company and I've been told by providers (like car fix it people) that they are excellent to deal with.  But the agent is pissing me off something fierce.  The company has independent agents all over Seattle.  I think I'll probably give one of them a call next week and see what's possible.  I'd call this afternoon but I'm really not in that good of a mood to start with and should they piss me off, I might not be ... Nice.

Comments

i've never understood the purpose of independent insurance agents...

[henare.livejournal.com]

especially when everything i hear about them sounds like what you just wrote.

i get my homeowner's insurance from csaa (yes, that's right--i don't drive but i'm a member of csaa. go figure.)--i send them an annual check and they tell the mortgage co i have "insurance." what does an independent agent bring to the picture, other than frustration?

Re: i've never understood the purpose of independent insurance agents...

[susandennis]

Excellent point. Very excellent. Hmmm.

Re: i've never understood the purpose of independent insurance agents...

[henare.livejournal.com]

well, otoh, it could be like using a travel agent. i've been with my travel agent for fifteen years and while i shop around on orbitz, travelocity, etc., to get the lay of the land, i always buy from my own t.a. ... i get competitive pricing, practical advice, and peerless service. at those big web places they make money by *not* talking to me, and if i need help at the airport i'm just another idjit on the phone. there have been several occasions where my flight has been cancelled/rerouted/... and i've called my travel agent while in line to get rerouted and she's gotten the right thing done before i've gotten to the head of the line (where i would have undoubtedly been told that my preferences didn't matter and i would be sent to my destination on the next available camel).

but, the insurance thing seems like banking: since i'm not rich, i know i'm buying a commodity product, so i shop for price and service ...

[dizzdvl.livejournal.com]

Yes, you can do that and you just request a transfer of agent. You should be able to go to the new agent and ask them to transfer your account to them.

[susandennis]

cool! thanks!