Vegas & The Aftermath - Diary

[Karabiner]

I gather that they are charging for the safety-deposit boxes at The Rio this year.

Will you be getting the $200, $300, or $400 sized box?

[atdc21]

BOOM

We have 'phone.

Just gotta learn how to work it now, & crucially, how to best upload photos direct onto blonde & elsewhere. Sounds easy enough in the right hands.

Think Tom suggested "WhatsApp" but it sounds very complicated. I just wanna go click - Post. Can't be that difficult, can it?

Hi Tikay,
           good news you sorted phone out, im no techhy ( more of a austin A60 type of person, well Morris Oxford ...but thats on a different diary  ) Whatsapp is very good, easy to use and free, even i get on with it ok .

[tikay]

I want to try & get up to date before I head off, (I owe replies to many, including Slow-Mo, Machka, Uncle Ralph, Tom & a few others), but first up, the 'phone saga. Big "thank you's" go to Tom, sonour & others who helped me with advice.

I became slightly embarrassed & conscious that such a trivial matter phased me out so. But it did. I've had the same number - a nice easy to remember one - since around 1988, & it has 1,500 Contacts & over 4,000 Texts stored on it. I should, of course, delete all or most, they are no use to me, but I'm at that age where I hoard things, I can't help myself. I become attached to old stuff, in he way we become attached to old worn out slippers.

Part of it, too, was the staggering incompetence of Vodafone. It is jaw-dropping how bad they are.

In total, I paid 7 visits to the store, each one was 3 hours wasted, car park fees, & standing in their shop listening to bloody piped music at high volume.  Jeez, loud piped music in public places does my head in, because NOBODY WANTS TO HEAR IT. They don't.

Most of the Vodafone issue was because I have an extremely old account, it dates back to 199x, & as such, it does not sit on the regular software which is available to the Shops, so they could not access it. My Account sits under (I now discover) "Legacy Accounts". It's actually the same account as when I was working, & it was under B & K, as they gave me the phone & paid for 2 years fees for me when I retired.

So when I gave Vodafone my Account details, they would not recognize it. In the Shop I plonked my last Vodafone invoice - only 7 days old - on the counter to show them the details. And  on 3 occasions, they'd look at it, spend several minutes tip tapping the keyboard, then blithely say to me "nope, that's coming up as unrecognized, have you got your proper bill, that one does not exist?"

What? WHAT?

That IS my bloody bill.

The PAC thing? Armed with the help from Tom & Lisa, & some overnight research, I marched into the store the next morning & retaliated first. Think I spoke for 7 minutes without taking breath. That told them.  And they responded - yes, you need a new PAC as you are transferring to us from another Carrier.

NO I AM NOT.  

"Well I'm sorry Sir, but that Account is not ours".......

Yikes.

They gave me my new phone, & on visit # 3, they gave me a £10 Pay As You Go thing. Thank you.  

So I was able to ring Customer Care, & try to resolve it that way. By now, I was a tad wound up.

The girl on the phone was EVER so nice & helpful, she really was. She kept saying, "I am going to get this sorted, it's a disgrace". She warned me I'd have to hang on. No problem. More piped music, over & over again. Jeez, do they REALLY think piped music over the phone amuses & entertains? It does not.    

After a very long wait, and some odd bonging noises from my shiny new Samsung S6 phone, she came back on.

"Well Mr Kendall, I can see why you are so frustrated, I got transferred again & again. Never mind, I've got it sorted now, & all you have to do is........"

At that moment, the phone bonged again, & then cut me off. The Pay As You Go had Gone. The bonging noised were warnings that my Account Balance was running out. I was seconds from having the answer, & the phone cut off.

Rather cleverly, I decided to top it up over the phone. Easy job - less than 2,000 clicks, menus & keyed inputs, & 20 minutes later, I was done.

So I rung again, only to get, repeatedly, a recorded message - "Sorry, due to an emergency, we cannot offer a service at this moment".....

And so it went on.

Anyway, on Tuesday night, I asked Mr Google for the e-Mail addresses of the entire Vodafone Board of Directors, & sent them all chapter & verse. Probs a complete waste of time, but it made me feel better.

Went back to the Shop the next day, & eventually, it got sorted.

So we are cool like Fonzy now.

In the next 20 minutes, all the "blocked" texts I had missed in the last 10 days came though, including about 200 from DTD, & nearly as many from Sky Poker. Groan at spam texts, & yet I never use that "STOP" thing, as I'm scared I might miss something.

So, I'm sorted, just got to find how best to insta upload photos to blonde & Next Door now. I've already found how to take a photo, send it to my e-Mail address, save it from there onto my Lappie, & then produce it on blonde. I ought to be able to short cut that though.

[tikay]

One last phone thing. (Except uploading photos more efficiently - help needed please).

I'm sure you think I'm over reacting, & I'm sure you are right.

Here's an example though. This was my 4th attempt via Vodafone's "WebChat" service. Other rhan redacting some personal details, this is an EXACT C & P of the webchat.

Note the length of the chat, (over an hour), note how the "how long left to wait" actually INCREASES as time goes by, & note how many different people I was transferred to.   

C & P follows.......

[tikay]

info: at 23:05:57



Welcome to Vodafone! You will now be connected with a service adviser. Your approximate wait time is 4 minute(s) and 31 seconds. . We’re looking forward to assisting you today.

info: at 23:07:57



Thanks for your patience - your approximate wait time is 3 minute(s) and 37 seconds.

info: at 23:09:57



Thanks for your patience - your approximate wait time is 3 minute(s) and 37 seconds.

info: at 23:11:57



Thanks for your patience - your approximate wait time is 4 minute(s) and 34 seconds.

system: at 23:12:54



Please wait to send your question until we connect you with one of our representatives.

system: at 23:12:55



Please wait to send your question until we connect you with one of our representatives.

info: at 23:13:57



Thanks for your patience - your approximate wait time is 4 minute(s) and 34 seconds.

info: at 23:15:57



Thanks for your patience - your approximate wait time is 4 minute(s) and 34 seconds.

info: at 23:17:57



Thanks for your patience - your approximate wait time is 4 minute(s) and 45 seconds.

system: at 23:18:01



Please wait to send your question until we connect you with one of our representatives.

info: at 23:19:43



You are now connected with Ratish .

Ratish : at 23:19:48



Hello, you're chatting with Ratish , how may I help you today?

Ratish : at 23:19:54



Hi, Anthony

Ratish : at 23:19:58



Good Evening

Ratish : at 23:19:58



Welcome to Vodafone. What has brought you to our website today?


Anthony Kendall: at 23:21:28




Hi, my name is Anthony Kendall, & my Account Number is xxxxxxx. My phone number is 07831 xxxxxx. I had a phone Upgrade LAST FRIDAY, & have been waiting ever since for the Sim Card to be activated. I have visited the Vodafone store @ Bentalls in Kingston FIVE times to try to get this sorted. They promised to ring me back each time. They have not rung me back once. I ring Vodafone earlier this afternoon, & my temporary Pay as you go card ran out of money whilst I was waiting. I topped it up, rang again, & could not get a sensible answer. I HAVE BEEN WAITING SINCE LAST FRIDAY FOR MY SIM TO BE ACTIVATED, & been messed around terribly. FIVE TIMES they promised to ring me back & explain the problem. FIVE times they failed to do so. All I want is my SIM card activated. I have had my Account for 10 or 15 years, maybe longer, never contacted you once, & am completely low maintenance. CAN YOU PLEASE SORT THIS?

Ratish : at 23:27:04



Thank you for your patience. I have limited access to this account . We have a dedicated team that takes care of the Pay as you go account. Please be online while I transfer you to the relevant team. I am sure one of my colleagues will be more than happy to assist you with the same.

Ratish : at 23:27:04



Please note that the transfer may take 3-5 minutes due to the high chat flow. Please stay connected.

info: at 23:27:18



Please wait while I transfer the chat to the appropriate group.

info: at 23:27:25



You are now connected with Mrugen .

Mrugen : at 23:27:33



Hello, you're chatting with Mrugen .  Let me go through the conversation you’ve had with the representative who transferred your chat to me.

Mrugen : at 23:30:32



Thank you for your time and patience.

Mrugen : at 23:30:35



Hi Anthony!

Mrugen : at 23:30:56



First of all I would like to apologize to you for so much of inconvenience being a loyal customer.


Anthony Kendall: at 23:31:24




It is NOT a Pay as You Go account. I only have PAY AS YOU GO at the moment as you have not activated the SIM on my regular (monthly account) phone

Mrugen : at 23:31:53



Anthony, I understand that you upgraded your or your contract and the new SIM card is not yet activated and you were given a temporary mobile number which is pay as you go till things on your pay monthly are sorted out.

Mrugen : at 23:32:19



Your reason for contact is to check what is happening about activation of your upgraded new SIM. Am I correct?


Anthony Kendall: at 23:32:58




CORRECT

Mrugen : at 23:33:12



Thank you for confirming.

Mrugen : at 23:33:37



Please allow me a minute to get you back in touch with Pay Monthly team so that they can sort t hings out for you.

info: at 23:34:44



Please wait while I transfer the chat to the appropriate group.

info: at 23:35:02



You are now connected with Vivek KS.

info: at 23:35:46



Please wait while I transfer the chat to the appropriate group.

info: at 23:35:50



You are now connected with Pradeep .


Anthony Kendall: at 23:42:30




Are you still there Pradeep?

Pradeep : at 23:42:54



Hello, you're chatting with Pradeep , how may I help you today?


Anthony Kendall: at 23:43:22




I have to explain it all again?


Anthony Kendall: at 23:45:10


Hi, my name is Anthony Kendall, & my Account Number is xxxxxxx. My phone number is 07831 xxxxxx. I had a phone Upgrade LAST FRIDAY, & have been waiting ever since for the Sim Card to be activated. I have visited the Vodafone store @ Bentalls in Kingston FIVE times to try to get this sorted. They promised to ring me back each time. They have not rung me back once. I ring Vodafone earlier this afternoon, & my temporary Pay as you go card ran out of money whilst I was waiting. I topped it up, rang again, & could not get a sensible answer. I HAVE BEEN WAITING SINCE LAST FRIDAY FOR MY SIM TO BE ACTIVATED, & been messed around terribly. FIVE TIMES they promised to ring me back & explain the problem. FIVE times they failed to do so. All I want is my SIM card activated. I have had my Account for 10 or 15 years, maybe longer, never contacted you once, & am completely low maintenance. CAN YOU PLEASE SORT THIS?
 

Pradeep : at 23:45:41



It will take me a couple of minutes to check this for you. Is that ok?


Anthony Kendall: at 23:46:18




Yes, of course


Anthony Kendall: at 23:47:03




I have wasted NINE HOURS chasing this already, so another 5 minutes wont hurt

Pradeep : at 23:49:45



Thank you for your patience.

Pradeep : at 23:50:57



Anthony, I am not able to get the details with the given account number and phone number.

Pradeep : at 23:51:10



Can you please check the number once again and confirm?


Anthony Kendall: at 23:52:19




AGAIN? The phone number & Account number are exactly as I wrote earlier in this convo. It is a very old account.


Anthony Kendall: at 23:52:32




07831xxxxxx


Anthony Kendall: at 23:53:25




Account number xxxxxxxx

Pradeep : at 23:53:37



Could you please let me know the first line of your address and post code along with your date of birth?


Anthony Kendall: at 23:54:22


XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Pradeep : at 23:56:33



For security reason may I know the 3rd and 4th digit of your PIN please?


Anthony Kendall: at 23:56:57




What PIN?

Pradeep : at 23:57:21



PIN is 4 digit number set on your account to clear the security check.


Anthony Kendall: at 23:58:25




I have no idea, I am not aware of any PIN. Could it be xxxx?


Anthony Kendall: at 23:59:18




PLEASE don't mess with me, I have been trying to sort this since FRIDAY. I have given my DOB, Post Code & Account number

Pradeep : at 23:59:48



May I know how many numbers your got on your account along with the monthly line rental and last bill amount please?


Anthony Kendall: at 0:01:59




1 number on this account. (I have a dongle on another account). The last bill was £43.20 including VAT I think. When I upgraded last Friday they reduced my monthly charge by 50%.

Pradeep : at 0:02:44



And have your got the new SIM from the store which is not yet activated?


Anthony Kendall: at 0:02:53




Yes


Anthony Kendall: at 0:03:17




I have had it since LAST FRIDAY

Pradeep : at 0:03:52



In that case I request you to visit store to get further help.

Pradeep : at 0:03:52



Alternatively I can go ahead and send you new SIM.

Pradeep : at 0:03:52



You just need to contact us once you get the SIM so that we can activate it for you.


Anthony Kendall: at 0:04:55




Sorry? I already have the new SIM, I have had it since LAST FRIDAY


Anthony Kendall: at 0:05:15




So can you PLEASE activate it now?


Anthony Kendall: at 0:05:31




I have stated this several times already


Anthony Kendall: at 0:05:53




I HAVE THE SIM, I just want you to ACTIVATE IT


Anthony Kendall: at 0:07:58




How can this be so hard to understand?

Pradeep : at 0:09:57



I am afraid as the SIM was issued from the store we will not be able to go ahead and activate it from our end.


Anthony Kendall: at 0:11:07




It was not issued from the store. IT WAS NOT ISSUED FROM THE STORE. The phone was delivered to the store as I could not be at home to collect it that day. It came with the SIM

Pradeep : at 0:11:51



It will take me a couple of minutes to check this for you. Is that ok?


Anthony Kendall: at 0:11:51




PLEASE stop fobbing me off with these daft excuses. THE SIM WAS NOT ISSED BY THE STORE


Anthony Kendall: at 0:12:02




Yes, I will wait.

Pradeep : at 0:13:24



Thank you for your patience.

Pradeep : at 0:13:55



Anthony, as we are unable to find the details of the number and SIM card I request you to visit the store for further help.


Anthony Kendall: at 0:14:32




I have visited the store FIVE TIMES already, they keep promising to ring me back, but never do

Pradeep : at 0:15:17



I can understand your situation; however, we will not be able to take it further from our end as we don't have details with us.


Anthony Kendall: at 0:15:52




That's exactly what the Store keep saying


Anthony Kendall: at 0:16:05




This is ridiculous.

Pradeep : at 0:16:25



We apologize for the inconvenience caused to you.

[tikay]

That's it, chapter closed.

Luckily I'm one of those guys that never gets flustered or angry.

[tikay]

What is this about?

[tikay]

I've yet to see a pack., but I gather cigarettes have gone green. Green sounds way too healthy to me.

[tikay]

I gather that they are charging for the safety-deposit boxes at The Rio this year.

Will you be getting the $200, $300, or $400 sized box?

I've never used one Ralph, I use the room safe, but if I needed one, guess I'd go for the $3 version.

[sonour]

Oh my word.

I was thinking you were making hard work of the phone problem but I can see now it really wasn't your fault.

I'm pleased it's all sorted now

[tikay]

And here's the other side of Customer Service. For balance, you see - don't want anyone thinking I am a member of Team Moan.

I needed to buy $$$$'s, & Mr G suggested Thomas Exchange Global were very good. They do delivery, but I don't really trust delivery, & before I part with such a big sum, I want to see the whites of their eyes.

So I rung their Branch in Victoria Station, & they were very helpful, & gave me a better rate as I was buying a larger sum than their normal day to day sales. So I went up there, armed with Passport, Utility Bill (used my Vodafone bill, but they thought it was genuine even if Vodafone did not), Driving Licence etc, & it was all sorted very quickly. 

"What denoms Sir"?

"$100 please, if possible"

Within a minute, he placed a wad of crisp, brand new, $100 bills in one of those counting machines. brrrrrrrrrrrr it went, in seconds it counted out, & it displayed the amount on a little digital screen. VERY clever bit of kit, them.

Job done. But then I said "can you give me $1,000 of it in mixed $20 & $50's please?"

No problem Sir, his little assistant did the necessary. Then he put it back in the counting machine thing. All good.

They put it in a little envelope thing, & that was that. And no, I never counted it - those machines are never wrong. Anyway, crisp, brand new bills are "sticky", & have you ever seen old people faffing with £1 notes, licking their fingers, peeling them off one at a time? I used to be able to count paper money real fast, maybe still can, but brand new bills are very hard to separate.

An evening or two later, I opened the envelope, & that lovely smell of new money came out, mmmmmm.

Slightly curious, I checked to see what they had given me in $20 & $50 - it was just $50's, but that's OK.

Then I realised that the $100 bills were all in sequential order - as you'd expect with new bills. That rather pleased me for some reason. The top one ended 203, & the bottom one ended 300. That can't be right, can it? I checked the $50 bills - I asked for $1,000 worth (20), but there were only 19 of them.

So I ended up counting them one by one, which was every bit as hard as I expected.

97 x $100 bills, & 19 x $50 bills.

I paid for exactly $10,000 worth, & they have given me $10,650 worth. *

How weird is that?

I intend to return the surplus, they were very helpful, & I'd not like to be short-changed, & maybe the guy at the Branch will get in trouble. $650 for free is nice, but not that nice. Having said that, if I knock it in in Vegas, I wonder if I will still feel so honest & take the surplus back?

I'd like to think I would. I'd also like to bet I would not. As with so many good intentions, I guess "it depends"......


* EDIT - Actually, I think it's $10,850?

[RED-DOG]

It's reasonably easy to post pictures on blonde from your phone but WhatsApp doesn't do that, it's not what it's for.

Nor is there any way to just press one button and upload pics to blonde, but it is relatively easy. That said, there's no way I'm going to be able to explain it to you in text. Ring me and I'll walk you through it.

Just in case there's someone more savvy than me out there, these are the steps I use to upload a pic to blonde from my phone.

Re-size pic (or bunch of pics to easy to manage file size.

Upload to your host site (I use photobucked)

C&P the link from photobucket to blonde.

[doubleup]

def bring the money back they will have noticed and the worker would rather be branded an idiot than suspected of being a thief.

[hhyftrftdr]

If its anything like my gaff then there will be an investigation for such an amount to go missing, CCTV checked and whatnot, person involved interviewed by the powers that be etc.

I don't understand how it happened though? Unless the worker had a complete brain fart moment. Was it machine error?

[Doobs]

203 to 300 is 98 bills?

Maybe he meant to put in 20s but put in 50s.  Maths almost works?   

I'd take them back too.