How is it possible in today's world that a MAJOR TELECOMMUNICATIONS company is not held to a higher standard for CUSTOMER SERVICE?
Or.....
BELL SUCKS!
Bell Canada apparently has stopped using ePost for distribution of its billing statements. Did they communicate this? Nope. Instead they chose to send me a random email with name, address, account information and amount due without any way of validating it wasn't a phishing scam.
I was unsuccessful when I attempted to find a customer service email address on their website so tried a "live chat". That was 22 minutes of my life I'll never get back, but it did raise some amusing anecdotal evidence of the literary skills of Bell's customer service reps -- like this gem in response to my reluctance to give out personal information in a chat: "I understand that you are concern of the security of your information as well." Wow.
So I succumbed... I called their "HELP LINE" (the true definition of an oxymoron!) at 310-BELL.... and was put on hold. Every 60 seconds I repeatedly heard two recordings saying "We will be with you in a moment" (their definition of a "moment" needs revisiting!); and "Please stay on the line and it will be our pleasure to serve you".... and so I did.... for 62 minutes, until 2:10 p.m. (thank goodness or hands-free), when the phone was answered with yet another automated recording telling me Bell's offices were NOW CLOSED and their office hours were 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. SIlly me for thinking 2:10 p.m. fell within that window!
Now it had become a game.... I called back and keyed in the French option. Anyone who knows me also knows my French skills are limited to the back of a cereal box. A lovely lady redirected my call in under TWO MINUTES! I asked the customer service agent who took my call for a customer service email address in response to the Bell email I was sent, and was told "Bell doesn't do email".
Yup... BELL DOESN'T DO EMAIL......and apparently they don't do live chat or phone calls either, but I digress! So, after some additional (and incredulous) responses to my questions, I opted to cancel my home phone 'cuz "I don't do Bell!"
I also suggested my hourly rate for the 1.8 hours I spent waiting for any intelligent sign of life within Bell, be creditted against any outstanding balance on my home phone. I'm still awaiting an answer on that one.
We should not toerate this abhorent behaviour from BELL. We don't tolerate it in other areas of our life. I wonder how people would react if Canada's major airline said "we don't do email", so after booking your flight, just stop by your nearest international airport to pick up your ticket!?!!
Stepping down from my soapbox now...
