Something That Happened.
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Thursday, September 11, 2003
Regrets...
I've had a few.
But then again,
Too few to mention!
I've had a few.
But then again,
Too few to mention!
--"My Way",
written by Paul Anka
When I hear that song, I think of Frank Sinatra, and sometimes Elvis or Sid Vicious --
all of whom have been known to perform, in their own unique manner, that wonderful song.
Wonderful because -- though I don't always enjoy hearing it, I've heard it so much --
the song is a wonderful personal anthem. That's something we all need: a personal anthem.
A song that praises our individuality; a mark of devotion to oneself.
After all, they say you're going to have a helluva time loving anyone else unless you've first
learned to love yourself, right?written by Paul Anka
This is not to replace your love for your God, or your spouse, or your family. I'm simply saying that we all need to give ourselves a bit more self-love at this time of year. (No, not that type of self-love !) Too many of us beat up on ourselves throughout the year, and then nearly destroy ourselves at year's end. No wonder there are so many suicides during the Holidays; the messages bombarding us are to Buy Buy Buy and to Give Give Give -- but what if you have nothing to give but love? If you have a dearth of that good stuff, then you'll have a bitch of a time spreading it around to your neighbors.
So be good to yourself, whether you're Christian, Pagan, Wiccan, Athiest, Hindu, Islamic, Mormon, Podcastin, or otherwise. Don't take the pills, they won't do you or anyone else any good; you'll simply miss out on the Next Big Thing (which may turn out to be Your Next Big Thing). Just do things your own way, singing that little hymn as you do so:
For what is a man,
What has he got?
If not himself,
Then he has naught.
To say the things,
He truly feels,
And not the words,
Of one who kneels.
The record shows,
I took the blows
And did it my way!
What has he got?
If not himself,
Then he has naught.
To say the things,
He truly feels,
And not the words,
Of one who kneels.
The record shows,
I took the blows
And did it my way!
Wednesday, March 01, 2006
Welcome to Earthlink LiveChat. Your chat session will begin shortly.
Not at home and you want to read your email? With EarthLink Web Mail you can check your email from any computer with an internet connection!
'Emma S.' says: Thank you for contacting EarthLink LiveChat, how may I help you today?
charssun@earthlink.net: I would like to request a refund for charges made to my bank card
charssun@earthlink.net: My account is being charged each month...
charssun@earthlink.net: ...$21.95...
Emma S.: To best assist you, you need to speak with a Customer Service Representative. Please standby while I transfer you.
charssun@earthlink.net: Thanks
Please wait while I transfer the chat to the best suited site operator.
You are not currently in a chat session.
'Vincent K' says: Thank you for contacting EarthLink LiveChat, how may I help you today?
charssun@earthlink.net: Hi Vincent.
Vincent K: Okay. Let me check your account.
charssun@earthlink.net: I've been trying to cancel this account since the day I signed up...
charssun@earthlink.net: ...I've been charged $21.95 each month for 8 or 9 months...
Vincent K: Our records indicates that the refund for $24.00 has been processed to the VISA account associated on our files dated on 02/08/06.
charssun@earthlink.net: ...Actually, to be more accurate...
charssun@earthlink.net: Yes, but I'm certain to be charged again $21.95 today or tomorrow...
charssun@earthlink.net: ...and I would prefer for the account to be cancelled instead.
charssun@earthlink.net: Fact is, I haven't used the service. Ever.
charssun@earthlink.net: And I don't have the money in the bank to cover the charges.
charssun@earthlink.net: Last month, in fact, my bank account was overdrawn by this.
Vincent K: Our records indicates that your account is active and current with us.
charssun@earthlink.net: What does that mean?
charssun@earthlink.net: Please cancel the account.
Vincent K: I will be happy to assist you if you have any service related issues. I am sorry that I cannot process your request for cancellation because EarthLink does not accept cancellation requests via email/live chat. To cancel your service you must call 1-888-EarthLink, 7am - midnight EST M-F, and 8am - 10pm EST Sat/Sun or send registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to: EarthLink Inc.; 1375 Peachtree Street, Level A Atlanta, GA 30309. Accounts are set to close at the end of the current cycle. We don't prorate charges.
You can get more information regarding our cancellation policies at http://www.earthlink.net/about/policies/#termination
charssun@earthlink.net: If you are not going to cancel my account, please ensure that it is not charged the full $21.95 this month...
charssun@earthlink.net: ...I've had an arrangement whereby the account would be only charged $9.95/mo...
Vincent K: I suggest you to please get back to us if your account has been billed for any charges.
charssun@earthlink.net: I don't want to be overdrawn again.
Vincent K: So that, we can able to assist you in forwarding a refund request to our Accounting Department against the charges incurred any on your account.
charssun@earthlink.net: In the past, the agent set up my account to be charged only $9.95, rather than $21.95...
charssun@earthlink.net: ...Please set up my account this way so that I am not continuing to be overdrawn...
Vincent K: I am sorry. It cannot be possible to apply the $9.95 promotional offer multiple times on one account.
charssun@earthlink.net: ...That is not what I was explained prior...
charssun@earthlink.net: ...Don't you understand? I do not want Earthlink service! I have *never* used it!
charssun@earthlink.net: I do *not* want to be charged for this.
charssun@earthlink.net: Do I need to contact the Better Business Bureau, or what?
Vincent K: I apologize, but unfortunately it is not possible for us to cancel the services through EarthLink Live Chat support. If you call into customer service in the above given number, they will assist you further in order to cancel the service.
Vincent K: I appreciate your cooperation on this issue.
charssun@earthlink.net: Then *please* set up my account -- as another agent has done in the past -- so that I am only charged $9.95 rather than $21.95. I was told this would be renewed at that rate after the initial 6 months!
Vincent K: I am sorry. Please note that it cannot be possible to apply the $9.95 promotional plan on the account.
charssun@earthlink.net: In fact, that rate ($9.95/mo) was a compromise, since I never should have been locked into the service in the first place!
Vincent K: Let me know if you have the AAA or AARP member ship number. So that, I can apply the $2.00 promotional offer on your account.
charssun@earthlink.net: This is not right; I believe Earthlink is unlawfully charging my bank account.
charssun@earthlink.net: Triple AAA? I do...
charssun@earthlink.net: So then the service would only be $2/mo?
Vincent K: No. Once the AAA membership promotional plan applied on the account, each month your account will be billed for $19.95.
charssun@earthlink.net: No, that is so wrong. You see...I signed up for Earthlink in June of last year (2005). The very next day, I requested a cancellation...
charssun@earthlink.net: ...I was denied a cancellation...
charssun@earthlink.net: ...I have contacted Earthlink again, requesting cancellation...
charssun@earthlink.net: ...continuously being denied...
Vincent K: I am sorry. Since the account is active with us, our database process a charge as per the billing date mentioned on our files each month.
charssun@earthlink.net: ...and the only thing I could do was accept a "promotional" discount of $9.95/mo to reduce my monthly fee by $12 each month...
charssun@earthlink.net: ...This was a compromise I accepted, as long as the "promo" would be applied again at the end of the first 6 months...
Vincent K: I am sorry. It cannot be possible for us to apply multiple promotional offers on one account. Please note that, when your account was opened, you were offered a choice of billing methods. The information you provided at that time is what our system uses to collect your payments each month.
When you first logged on to your account, you agreed to the terms and conditions of the Internet Access Agreement, including the monthly payment. We must have a valid form of billing on the account at all times.
You can change the billing method at any time.
charssun@earthlink.net: ...The rep I spoke with (and I have records of each person I have spoken with)...
charssun@earthlink.net: ...One minute, please, I'm explaining to you my situation...
Vincent K: I realize the gravity of the situation and I certainly would like to assure you of our best services, as your satisfaction is our primary goal.
charssun@earthlink.net: ...One moment...
charssun@earthlink.net: Here is one example of my experience telephoning your Customer Service: http://www.somethingthathappened.com/2005/11/what-chris-doesnt-realize-is-that.html
charssun@earthlink.net: I am documenting *every* encounter I have with Earthlink, to submit to the Better Business Bureau...
charssun@earthlink.net: ...since I believe that I have been unlawfully charged for the better part of 9 months...
Vincent K: I am sorry. To best assist you on this issue, I suggest you to please contact our Customer Service directly in the above given number.
Vincent K: I appreciate your cooperation on this issue.
charssun@earthlink.net: I have not received adequate customer service via your telephone support. I insist that this issue be resolved, immediately.
charssun@earthlink.net: Are you still there?
Vincent K: Yes. I am with you.
Vincent K: I am sorry. Due to the nature of the issue, it cannot be possible for us to assist you further from EarthLink Live Chat support. To avoid any hold time while contact our Customer Service in the above given number, I suggest you to please contact our Customer Service during the early hours of the day.
Vincent K: I appreciate your patience and understanding on this issue.
charssun@earthlink.net: Again, this is being documented. Here is the current link to the transcript I am publishing of this conversation: http://www.somethingthathappened.com/2006/03/welcome-to-earthlink-livechat.html
Vincent K: I realize how testing the situation can be and assure you of our cooperation in resolving the issue to your satisfaction. To best assist you on this issue, I suggest you to please contact our Customer Service in the above given number.
----end of transcript---
This conversation, which took place moments ago, is the latest episode in my continuing attempts at simply canceling my Earthlink dialup Internet service -- a service which I've never used. (Here is my account of a prior encounter with Earthlink "Customer Service".)
A few years ago, Earthlink was a decent service. Perhaps desperate to retain customers, the company is now resorting to unprincipled tactics. Beware.
Not at home and you want to read your email? With EarthLink Web Mail you can check your email from any computer with an internet connection!
'Emma S.' says: Thank you for contacting EarthLink LiveChat, how may I help you today?
charssun@earthlink.net: I would like to request a refund for charges made to my bank card
charssun@earthlink.net: My account is being charged each month...
charssun@earthlink.net: ...$21.95...
Emma S.: To best assist you, you need to speak with a Customer Service Representative. Please standby while I transfer you.
charssun@earthlink.net: Thanks
Please wait while I transfer the chat to the best suited site operator.
You are not currently in a chat session.
'Vincent K' says: Thank you for contacting EarthLink LiveChat, how may I help you today?
charssun@earthlink.net: Hi Vincent.
Vincent K: Okay. Let me check your account.
charssun@earthlink.net: I've been trying to cancel this account since the day I signed up...
charssun@earthlink.net: ...I've been charged $21.95 each month for 8 or 9 months...
Vincent K: Our records indicates that the refund for $24.00 has been processed to the VISA account associated on our files dated on 02/08/06.
charssun@earthlink.net: ...Actually, to be more accurate...
charssun@earthlink.net: Yes, but I'm certain to be charged again $21.95 today or tomorrow...
charssun@earthlink.net: ...and I would prefer for the account to be cancelled instead.
charssun@earthlink.net: Fact is, I haven't used the service. Ever.
charssun@earthlink.net: And I don't have the money in the bank to cover the charges.
charssun@earthlink.net: Last month, in fact, my bank account was overdrawn by this.
Vincent K: Our records indicates that your account is active and current with us.
charssun@earthlink.net: What does that mean?
charssun@earthlink.net: Please cancel the account.
Vincent K: I will be happy to assist you if you have any service related issues. I am sorry that I cannot process your request for cancellation because EarthLink does not accept cancellation requests via email/live chat. To cancel your service you must call 1-888-EarthLink, 7am - midnight EST M-F, and 8am - 10pm EST Sat/Sun or send registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, addressed to: EarthLink Inc.; 1375 Peachtree Street, Level A Atlanta, GA 30309. Accounts are set to close at the end of the current cycle. We don't prorate charges.
You can get more information regarding our cancellation policies at http://www.earthlink.net/about/policies/#termination
charssun@earthlink.net: If you are not going to cancel my account, please ensure that it is not charged the full $21.95 this month...
charssun@earthlink.net: ...I've had an arrangement whereby the account would be only charged $9.95/mo...
Vincent K: I suggest you to please get back to us if your account has been billed for any charges.
charssun@earthlink.net: I don't want to be overdrawn again.
Vincent K: So that, we can able to assist you in forwarding a refund request to our Accounting Department against the charges incurred any on your account.
charssun@earthlink.net: In the past, the agent set up my account to be charged only $9.95, rather than $21.95...
charssun@earthlink.net: ...Please set up my account this way so that I am not continuing to be overdrawn...
Vincent K: I am sorry. It cannot be possible to apply the $9.95 promotional offer multiple times on one account.
charssun@earthlink.net: ...That is not what I was explained prior...
charssun@earthlink.net: ...Don't you understand? I do not want Earthlink service! I have *never* used it!
charssun@earthlink.net: I do *not* want to be charged for this.
charssun@earthlink.net: Do I need to contact the Better Business Bureau, or what?
Vincent K: I apologize, but unfortunately it is not possible for us to cancel the services through EarthLink Live Chat support. If you call into customer service in the above given number, they will assist you further in order to cancel the service.
Vincent K: I appreciate your cooperation on this issue.
charssun@earthlink.net: Then *please* set up my account -- as another agent has done in the past -- so that I am only charged $9.95 rather than $21.95. I was told this would be renewed at that rate after the initial 6 months!
Vincent K: I am sorry. Please note that it cannot be possible to apply the $9.95 promotional plan on the account.
charssun@earthlink.net: In fact, that rate ($9.95/mo) was a compromise, since I never should have been locked into the service in the first place!
Vincent K: Let me know if you have the AAA or AARP member ship number. So that, I can apply the $2.00 promotional offer on your account.
charssun@earthlink.net: This is not right; I believe Earthlink is unlawfully charging my bank account.
charssun@earthlink.net: Triple AAA? I do...
charssun@earthlink.net: So then the service would only be $2/mo?
Vincent K: No. Once the AAA membership promotional plan applied on the account, each month your account will be billed for $19.95.
charssun@earthlink.net: No, that is so wrong. You see...I signed up for Earthlink in June of last year (2005). The very next day, I requested a cancellation...
charssun@earthlink.net: ...I was denied a cancellation...
charssun@earthlink.net: ...I have contacted Earthlink again, requesting cancellation...
charssun@earthlink.net: ...continuously being denied...
Vincent K: I am sorry. Since the account is active with us, our database process a charge as per the billing date mentioned on our files each month.
charssun@earthlink.net: ...and the only thing I could do was accept a "promotional" discount of $9.95/mo to reduce my monthly fee by $12 each month...
charssun@earthlink.net: ...This was a compromise I accepted, as long as the "promo" would be applied again at the end of the first 6 months...
Vincent K: I am sorry. It cannot be possible for us to apply multiple promotional offers on one account. Please note that, when your account was opened, you were offered a choice of billing methods. The information you provided at that time is what our system uses to collect your payments each month.
When you first logged on to your account, you agreed to the terms and conditions of the Internet Access Agreement, including the monthly payment. We must have a valid form of billing on the account at all times.
You can change the billing method at any time.
charssun@earthlink.net: ...The rep I spoke with (and I have records of each person I have spoken with)...
charssun@earthlink.net: ...One minute, please, I'm explaining to you my situation...
Vincent K: I realize the gravity of the situation and I certainly would like to assure you of our best services, as your satisfaction is our primary goal.
charssun@earthlink.net: ...One moment...
charssun@earthlink.net: Here is one example of my experience telephoning your Customer Service: http://www.somethingthathappened.com/2005/11/what-chris-doesnt-realize-is-that.html
charssun@earthlink.net: I am documenting *every* encounter I have with Earthlink, to submit to the Better Business Bureau...
charssun@earthlink.net: ...since I believe that I have been unlawfully charged for the better part of 9 months...
Vincent K: I am sorry. To best assist you on this issue, I suggest you to please contact our Customer Service directly in the above given number.
Vincent K: I appreciate your cooperation on this issue.
charssun@earthlink.net: I have not received adequate customer service via your telephone support. I insist that this issue be resolved, immediately.
charssun@earthlink.net: Are you still there?
Vincent K: Yes. I am with you.
Vincent K: I am sorry. Due to the nature of the issue, it cannot be possible for us to assist you further from EarthLink Live Chat support. To avoid any hold time while contact our Customer Service in the above given number, I suggest you to please contact our Customer Service during the early hours of the day.
Vincent K: I appreciate your patience and understanding on this issue.
charssun@earthlink.net: Again, this is being documented. Here is the current link to the transcript I am publishing of this conversation: http://www.somethingthathappened.com/2006/03/welcome-to-earthlink-livechat.html
Vincent K: I realize how testing the situation can be and assure you of our cooperation in resolving the issue to your satisfaction. To best assist you on this issue, I suggest you to please contact our Customer Service in the above given number.
----end of transcript---
This conversation, which took place moments ago, is the latest episode in my continuing attempts at simply canceling my Earthlink dialup Internet service -- a service which I've never used. (Here is my account of a prior encounter with Earthlink "Customer Service".)
A few years ago, Earthlink was a decent service. Perhaps desperate to retain customers, the company is now resorting to unprincipled tactics. Beware.
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I wonder if that wasn't some kind of AI-driven thing, or if "Vincent K." was from India or something. 'Cause, there's some odd-looking English in his responses.
That's interesting, Shawn. I don't believe it was AI, though; "Vincent K." was certainly a person, but clearly using canned responses. Earthlink has lost their sense of customer service -- and along with it, the edge they once had over similiar companies.
They are Indian, I used to work for earthlink and they sent all tech support and most customer service to India. That is why you see the strange english.
I have a couple of friends who used to work there, too. Did you happen to know anyone named Yoli? (Yolanda?)
Thanks for your comment.
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Businesses in Huntsville, Alabama
*
I once posted, in this space (this right column), the following:
If I had friends they would be listed here
That particular bit o' text, that silly and idiotic phrase, was repeated a dozen or two dozen or so times and was intended to be temporary. I had been working on a project -- a new layout for this blog -- and had intended for that text to be placeholder content. That is, the text was supposed to temporarily replace the content that had previously occupied this column (which was a list of links to friends -- that is, other blogs and web sites I linked to). I didn't know what content I was going to place into that (this) space, so I placed a bunch of duplicate phrases here as a placeholder so that I would remember to fill in this space again later.
At the same time, I thought I was being cute with the heading:
NEW & IMPROVED FRIENDS!
The fact remains: I still don't know what content to put here,
in this column. Links again? Pictures? Video? Audio? Ads? Oh, hell no! It hasn't come to me yet, but I'm sure it will eventually, and when it does it'll come quick and (as usual) with consequences.
©2009
This work is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported License*.
*Basically, this indicates you may do whatever you like with the content on this website except profit financially from it. However, if you are from one of the poorer nations of this world, particularly Nigeria, please contact me with as much e-mail as you possibly can detailing financial offers I may take into consideration. I am particularly interested in the transfer of large sums of money. Please also keep in mind the fact that my penis is quite tiny.