Live Tech Support Testimonies

AOL's Technical Support on the phone is a joke...

I call AOL's Tech Support (here's the U.S. number if you wanna mess with them 1-888-346-3704) and go through two automated systems and 7 people, and I ask if they knew how I could disable firewalls or other system restrictions.

5 of them didn't know!!!
The next one sayed I should contact my system administrator right after I told him it was a private computer at my house
The next person reffered me to the Sony line (1-888-476-6972)!!!????

Well, I was pretty bored so I called the Sony. I talk to this automated guy called "Max". He makes me tell him my product ID number and my model ID #, and I have to repeat each about 5 times because it's voice recognition and it's funny as hell because he's like "I'm sorry, I didn't understand you. Please repeat your last statment." etc...
Anyways, after going through three people, I got to this dude Anthony (Agent ID # AOQ3 if you want to bug him). He tells me AOL 8.0 has a built in firewall!!!.

THAT's just too hilarious, he didn't know how to turn it off, so I'm working on that right now. But the Sony guy knew more about AOL software then the AOL Tech Support Techies!!!

If anyone else has any funny run-ins with the Tech Support People, let me know

Tooooo funny,
Tassadar

[Edited on 31-7-2003 by Tassadar]

Customers have called in to support lines with the following problems....

"My coffee cup holder broke!"
Tech: "Your what?"
"You know, you press a button, and a tray comes out, for your coffee cup! (cd drive)"

Or

"Where's the ANY key?"

Or

"My monitor won't come on"
Tech: "Is it plugged in?"
"No, do you think that's it?"

What a glorious day it will be when AOL finally goes under. The only thing keeping AOHELL alive is dumb, old people that don't know any better, or those interested purely in porn/cybersex.

I would know, I used AOL for a year

Hey dude, it's not my fault, I've still got two and a half years 'till college. My parents bought the TWO YEAR contract!!!!

I called again andthey're freakin' stupid. I'm smarter than them, and they get payed to do that. The 1st AOL person I just talked to said she didn't know what a firewall was. The 2nd person said "sorry, we're not trained to help you with that."
I swear, AOL's sux!!!


If anyone out there is a former hack/computer techie, please U2U me and help me figure out how to solve this problem.

Tassadar

Well I didn't think it was too funny when the guy at SBC Yahoo DSL told me that I had to go to the SBC Store to buy a new NIC interface from them because mine wasn't compatible... it works fine with my cable modem... what a rip off.

1. AOL probably wouldn't deal with you if you didnt specify it was your AOL 8.0 firewall you wished to disable, if you ask them to help you with anything else then they wont, and that includes name brand firewalls.

2. Cable is very different from DSL, and can sometimes require new interfaces.

Dont mock customer support too much, they get it from customers 10 hours a day, and sometimes...you get the odd helpful one.

Peoplepc tech support sux! Slow, stupid,retarded, know nothings and boy do they smell..........

The Biggest joke ever is AOL broadband.

I wish I could help Tass - I work in tech support here in the UK but not for AOL - I've never even seen their software never mind configured it.

I don't trust any ISP who forces you to use their software. It's a stitch.

Dont mock customer support too much, they get it from customers 10 hours a day, and sometimes...you get the odd helpful one.

Amen to that. In addition to training with our comany's software, I also support it, and some days.....

The thing about AOL (guy who's office is next to mine used to work for them, hehe....) and most other tech support, is that they are working from a script of standard questions and replies...so don't be too hard on them. Also, remember that (as mentioned) they will only support their own software....

EDIT: Our software (for retailers) is extremely custom, and we don't use scripts...

[Edited on 1-8-2003 by Gazrok]