T-Mobile sucks!

I am pissed off! There. I said it!

Sunday night my personal Blackberry stopped working. The track ball which is the part of the phone that gives it its functionality stopped working. It only scrolls sideways. So, I can't read text messages. And my phone is stuck on silent so I have no idea if someone calls.

I called T-Mobile on Monday and was told that the replacement device would be shipped on Monday. I was told to call back in a couple of days and get a UPS tracking number. So I did and I was told that it had shipped and to go to UPS and put in my cell number and that would be my tracking number.

So, while I was on the phone I did and it didn't work. The customer service rep. tried and couldn't get it to work. She said the tracking system must be down but she assured me the device had been shipped and to check back with UPS. And I did.

And it didn't work. So I called back this morning and spoke with someone else and was told the device still hasn't left the warehouse and she has no idea when it will. OK, why was I told it HAD shipped?

They offered me a $20 plastic replacement phone as an interim solution. Uh, why not an interim Blackberry? Once you've had a Blackberry you never go back!

I told the last person I spoke with that they need to retrain their customer service reps. I told her that the worse thing to do is set high expectations and give out bad information to customers.

T-Mobile, you suck!

Taco Cabana

My eating schedule was a bit off today. After a run to IAH, I decided cheap Mexican (go ahead and say it, "look in the mirror") is what I needed. So, I went to Taco Cabana on Kirby near U.S. 59.

Went through the drive-thru, placed my order, paid and returned to NoRO. When I got home, I didn't have all of my order. hmpf! What to do?

I wasn't going to drive back 'cause I was hungry. I didn't feel like just blowing it off. I did realize that mistakes happen.

So, I called and I think I spoke with the manager. Told him what happened and told him I wasn't driving back 'cause I was hungry. All I'm gonna say is that he more than made the situation right.

I'm amazed when that type of customer service is delivered. I've had some bad situations at some nice restaurants where they didn't give a rat's ass and didn't try to make the situation right. I've seen good customer service also happen at Starbucks.

So, before I retire to my slumber on a full stomach of Mexican food, I'm sending out two thumbs up to Taco Cabana on Kirby near U.S. 59. Thank you!

Friday Rant

How many phone calls should a customer have to initiate to get the status on a repair? If you've been following this blog, you will remember that the transmission on The Cal Mobile went out last Saturday.

I had it towed to Freeway Ford on Saturday. Didn't hear anything on Monday so I called. Didn't get much information. Didn't hear anything on Tuesday. Didn't hear anything on Wednesday so I called. Was told the part had been ordered and the car would be ready on Friday.

Well, here it is Friday and still no Cal Mobile. I figured they were waiting until it was ready to call me. A bit after 4 (after not hearing anything since I called on Wednesday) today, I called and was told I would get a call back. Over an hour went by and still no return phone call. So I called only to be told they still didn't have the part and it will be Monday. Uh huh...sure...and let me sell you some beachfront property in Tempe, Arizona.

I guess what gets me about all of this is that I had to initiate all communication with them. Hmmm....whatever happened to customer service?

As I told the guy when I last spoke to him, good news or bad news it would have been nice to have received a phone call from them rather than leave me sitting here wondering what's going on.

And so, I'll continue to wonder if The Cal Mobile will really be ready on Monday or Tuesday or Wednesday...

It's always easier to look back and think woulda, coulda, shoulda. I shoulda and coulda spent the money to get the Corolla fixed up instead of buying The Cal Mobile. It may have been an old car but it was still running...and I saw it going down through the neighborhood the other day while I sat here without a vehicle.

You know....you watch the news about someone snapping and doing something violent and you wonder what caused it? I'm willing to bet that dealing with a car repair is the reason some times.

Story at 10p on the news.