Friday, July 11, 2008

Get Human

Hardly anything is more annoying than trying to fix a virtual problem with virtually no human help.

Recently, I signed up for a one-month-trial-and-cancel-if-you-don't-like-it subscription to FreelanceWorkExchange.com. (Warning: Step away from the copy and paste.) The service obviously had no problem debiting my account through PayPal. But when I try to use the site, they don't recognize me at all.

Trying to cancel my subscription generated this automatic email response: "For all inquiries regarding cancelling your paid membership of Freelance Work Exchange, please visit our dedicated cancellation page here." (Try that link. I couldn't even get the page to load. Duh.)

Well, the good folks at PayPal heard my complaint and came to my rescue, blocking future payments to GoFreelance.com and also furnishing me a telephone number (in Australia!) to follow up with the lazy service provider.

Ever wish you could talk to a REAL PERSON when you need help to fix a problem?? GetHuman.com is one of the best places to start.

Sick of pressing 10 or more options and spending valuable time on hold? Right now, you can search GetHuman's free database of secret phone numbers and codes that get an actual, live person on the line for customer service at nearly 1000 major companies.

This friendly tip brought to you by beach-bound Ready Maid.
Stay tuned for updates from Gulf Shores, Ala.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hope you have as much fun as I did in Al! So much so that I think we are going back in Oct.

Diana said...

Isn't Paypal wonderful like that? It's just the best thing for helping you get your money back (or no future charges) from bad companies.

John J. Kaiser said...

What makes em mad is that you have to listen to all the options before you can get to an operator. You used to be able to just press zero, but a lot of companies have changed that.

http://totaltransformation.wordpress.com

Pattie said...

The automated systems drive me crazy!! That's good to know about PayPal, and the links you've included will be very helpful. Thanks!

PS - Head over to my blog today for an announcement I think you'll like! :-)

Brightcetera said...

How very timely this post is. I've been without phone service, hence internet access, since Wed (it's back now, Thank God).
Trying to get someone on the line (finally!) & then speaking with someone in India for a problem I'm having in Canada is infuriating.
Anyway, thanks alot for the link.
I'm happy to know that PayPal was helpful.

JC said...

Congrats on your new table runner. I just read your Attiude Changes Everything post that won you a prize. It is beautiful.

I feel you pain with automated systems. I don't have any experience with Paypal.

Hope you have a wonderful time in Gulf Shores next week. I'm headed to Israel next week. I will not be posting from there but have set up some post to run while I'm away.

I'll catch up with my blog buddies when I get back. I love your site.

Nicole said...

I LOVE GetHuman! It's helped me a number of times.

Your entry is remarkably calm. This would have been a major rant for me, I think. VERY frustrating.