I've been on the other side of that with AT&T this morning.

"The corporate order page says there are no data plans available for the phone I'm trying to buy"

"Please give me your full name and the number on the account."

"I don't have an account, I'm trying to start a new one"

"OK! I can look at the plans for you. Please give me your full name and the number ALREADY ASSOCIATED with the account"

...

"Here's a random public order page that outlines our data plans"

"That's great, but when I try to order an actual phone and new line, on the corporate page that I have to use, it says "there are no data plans available for your device."

"It sounds like you've got a webpage issue"

I seriously need someone to bring me baked goods.

Just did my first application and will be meeting with our temp agency contact for lunch. New job ahoy.

I seriously need someone to bring me baked goods.

I just got a free mini croissant from Au Bon Pain! I did have to go get it myself.

I ordered delivery because I can't seem to adult today beyond taking care of ltc. I wish there were better delivery options in this town.

"It sounds like you've got a webpage issue"

I am redacting so many comments here that I would love to make.

I can no longer call customer service lines because 9 times out of 10 they make me so angry I cannot function. I feel like they are responding to my questions, no matter what I say, with the script provided. It is very surreal.

I feel like they are responding to my questions, no matter what I say, with the script provided.

They are, because their bosses are listening, and they'll be fired if they deviate from the script. Not that that helps, really, but the system is broken. It's worse, I think, with companies that outsource their customer service.

I'm deeply frustrated today and it's dragging me down. Last week I bought a pretty new chair from a local furniture store, instead of second-hand as I usually do. Delivery was $80, so I declined, since the chair would easily fit in my hatchback and it wasn't heavy. But I couldn't get the one remaining display chair, so today I went back to pick up my chair. And... It isn't assembled. I did not know that I would have to put the chair together myself. So now instead of coming home with my pretty new chair, I'm home with a big unwieldy box I have to drag inside, unpack, dispose of the packaging, and assemble the chair. The guy cheerfully said, I hope you've got someone who's handy with a wrench! I said I'd've liked to know I needed that up front. He said, If you'd had it delivered, it would be assembled for you. Again, I'd've liked to have been told that. Then, turns out the wrench needed is an Allen wrench, so you know this is going to be a chore. Another fucking chore, actually a series of fucking chores. I should have paid for the delivery. Then I'd have my chair instead of another item on the to-do list.

Then I'd have my chair instead of another item on the to-do list.

While the budget holds out, I'm going with "professionals who can do the job quickly and efficiently" over "save money but add time and frustration."

While the budget holds out, I'm going with "professionals who can do the job quickly and efficiently" over "save money but add time and frustration."

See, that's what's so annoying, that's totally my perspective on things! If the saleslady had just told me, I would've paid for it.

This summer has been a lot of "it never even occurred to me that I would have to ask about that; now I know" experiences.

And I know I'm not getting to that chair until at least this weekend, so it's staying in the back of my car for a few days. Maybe I'll get my niece to send her big strong carpenter boyfriend over to do it for me.