Working in tech support for a company exposes me to many instances of ineptitude. Some make me roll my eyes, others make me laugh out loud.
My first encounter was also my most memorable and to this date, my favorite story.
The setup: This story dates back to around the year 2000. I’m on the phone with an elderly man who called in for support with software for his PalmPilot.
Note: The product name has been changed to “Funkyware” to protect the innocent.
Me: Hello, how may I help you?
Man: Hi, my name is Leo and I’m having trouble with Funkyware.
Me: Ok, can you tell me what you see on the screen?
Man: (moves phone away) “Mildred, what does it say on the screen?”
Long pause as I hear Mildred say something to her husband.
Man: It just says Funkyware.
Me: Does it say anything else?
Man: (slightly muffled) “Mildred, does it say anything else?”
Man: No, that’s it.
Me: Can you tell me what version of Funkyware you’re using?
Man: “Mildred, what version of Funkyware are we using?”
Man: I don’t know. How can I tell?
I can see how this call is going, so I take a different approach.
Me: Sir, would you mind putting your wife on the phone. I think it would be easier if I spoke directly with her.
Man: “Mildred, the guy wants to talk with you.”
Woman: Hello?
Me: Hi. Ok, We want to find out what version of the application you’re running.
Woman: How do I do that?
Me: Please tap on the top left part of the screen.
Woman: “Leo, the guy wants you to tap on the top left part of the screen…”
Vartan Christopher Simonian
roflmao! I’d love to work in tech support – now I can see what I’d really be doing there! 😀
Michael
I’d imagine that after 2-3 years doing support, you’d have enough good material to write a book. That’s provided that you can see the humor in what may bring others pain.