With all due respect to the hardworking CSR’s in India just trying to get ahead, I HATE talking to them. There is a cultural divide that extends beyond language when it comes to communication. After all, you’re not calling to speak to a representative to discuss the pleasant weather we’ve been having… you have a PROBLEM.

I seriously hope that India’s call center business gets outsourced to ROBOTS, because that’s what they are. They have a series of canned responses to anything you say that always begins with “I’m sorry to hear that sir…” If your question or problem does not fit within their list of replies, you’re screwed. At best you can get transferred to someone back in the States after say, 30 minutes of frustration.

Washington Mutual and Vonage are two businesses that I’ve dealt with recently who use this practice.

In particular, I tried to set up an additional line with Vonage after I moved so that I could keep my old area code and have a new number in the new area code. I spent at least 45 minutes setting this up, speaking to people from all around the world and I still don’t have my new virtual number. I should call them back and give them hell but I may as well yell at a freakin wall, that is the extent of the comprehension I’ll experience.

Washing Mutual or “WAMU” as they’d like you to call them prematurely ended a 0% intro rate I had on a credit card after a “performance review.” I admit, I did have a problem with a bill (thanks to the move) and I asked specifically if the problem would impact the rate. I was told “No.” Then they all must have had a good laugh over some Tandoori chicken, because the subsequently ended the intro rate and raised my APR.

SCREW YOU WAMU!

Howz that for a slogan? I’m just going to transfer my balance elsewhere and they will get ZIPPO!