So, in days of yore, it seemed that if you made an enquiry to a train or bus station regarding tickets for a journey, you’d get a considered and thorough reply. If your journey was indirect, i.e. you had to make changes during the journey between departure point and destination, that would be taken into account. You’d get a complete list of times, changes and a total price covering whether the journey was one-way or a return and, further, whether it was an ‘open’ return.

Modern technology is falling down hugely. It seems, if there is a journey that you want to take as suggested above, they can’t get their heads round that concept. If you want to Journey from Manchester Airport to Holyhead, their system cannot cope with that simple idea. It doesn’t seem to get that you might know that the journey will be fragmented and that you want to know the details and… *gasp* how much the bloody fare is. 6 times on 6 different sites I have endeavoured to gather this info and NOT ONE of the sites can tell me. Bunch of arse.

Also, Virgin Media suck donkey balls! So I live in a building where, sneakily, there are TWO residences. My neighbour gets VM broadband at his address, a really good deal as it happens. So I call VM to arrange for the change of provider. I get put through to the Philipines and spend a depressing amount of time trying to explain the concept of buildings with more than one residence. As my neighbour already has an account, they say they cannot process an another account for that address. “It’s not the same address” Say I, “It’s a different address in the same building”. Much confusion ensues. I actually enquire whether they have these types of buildings there, yes I am informed… I am advised that they will speak to their technical department and I will get a call back the next day. ::crickets::

So I call back and have another session of incomprehension. I endeavour to explain the situation as best as possible. No joy. So I get a contact number for an advisor from my neighbour and explain that I am not getting very far. I get put through to the Philipines again. After more fun I am advised that I will be called back… “Are you sure?” I say, doubtfully, “I wasn’t last time” Oh yes, this will happen! Ok… ::crickets::

So I go back to the advisor and explain that I am somewhat disappointed. I was under the impression that companies were hoping to attract new customers and were finding it hard, so here IS a new customer asking to come to them and their franchise appears to be trying to stop this. A curious business model. They are terribly sorry, we’ll put you through to our sales desk in Scotland. Oh, ok. Voice answers, “Hmmm, that accent doesn’t *sound* Scottish. “Um, may I ask where you are?” “The Philipines.”. “Oh, well, I’m afraid I am not carrying on this call as I have been messed about by this department too much so far”.

“Oh, are you a racist?”

::crickets::

“I’m sorry, what did you say?”

Cue mumbled backtracking…”No, actually, I am sure I’m not, I just have an aversion to awful customer service and that is all I have experienced from you, but you know what? Just for you I will share this, You, I don’t fucking like at all!”

So, I’m not with VM …