So, I'm in a huff about trying to order some cheap internet for our new place in Asheville. Part of Kim and I's current eco craze means doing with less in an attempt to live frugally. Which means we've been attempting to cut things out like smart phones and cable television.
Currently in Pittsburgh we have basic cable and internet for thirty dollars a month. Yes, it's basic, but the speed seems just fine to me, and I'm not breaking the bank on internet and television. Anyways... Today, I called the cable provider in Asheville and got verbally abused for wanting the cheapest internet known as 'Lite'. The operator asked me repeatedly if I was sure I wanted the 'Lite' internet. At one point he said, "You realize that you basically won't be able to do anything with this package." Long awkward pause and then I shifted into asshole mode. I proceeded to tell him that I'm not a fool, I realize what 1 megabit per second means and I'm okay with that. I told him that I'm not trying to keep up with everyone else, I just need and want basic internet. I believe I also threw in there that I have a college education (from Walsh University, bam!). The cable guy comes to our new place next Friday, so we'll see how slow 1 mbps really is.
The whole problem I have with all of this is that anytime you want the most basic of something people act like you're Amish or you live in a cave. Other examples of being talked down to include going to the Verizon store and downgrading our smart phones to 'dumb' phones. The man proceeded to look at us in amazement. Then with a straight face he told us that smart phones actually pay for themselves. Well, I have my old crappy flip phone back and it's great. When Kim and I bought our Subaru the guy thought I was nuts for changing my own oil. His exact words were, "Tell me something, doesn't that take a long time?" Tell me, does it kill you to do something on your own?
I'd just like to round this all out in perfect five paragraph form. In conclusion, I realize that going against the grain means that people will try and pull you back onto the wagon, but that doesn't mean I have to like or go along with it.
Reid, what you're failing to understand here is that you are dealing with salesmen who are likely getting paid on commission, so of course they are going to do their absolute best to sell you the most expensive package available. Not everyone who calls to order cable is as learned as you, so they might not have the slightest idea what 1 megabit per second means. He also could be under instructions from his company to continually make sure that people understand that they are sacrificing speed for less money. To him, it makes perfect sense for you to purchase a pricier package. He may have patronized you, but that is really no excuse to throw your college education in your face and launch into "asshole mode."
ReplyDeleteI can completely appreciate your frustration, but you have to realize that not everyone has the same set of ideals as you and Kim. Take the Subaru guy: when it comes to changing his oil, he values speed over saving money. Is that a sin? No. It's just prioritizing in a different way. Take the Verizon guy: he values connectivity and ease over all else. He wants the electronic world at his fingertips, so he pays whatever he needs to do so. He has a difficult time grasping your point of view, just like you seem to have a difficult time understanding his.
I also have beef with your assumption that desiring the most basic options equates to being Amish or living in a cave. That's just ridiculous. While our society on the whole does value speed, convenience, and the very best electronic item available, I disagree that wanting a basic flip phone causes you to be treated like an Amish person.
I'm sorry that you had a negative cable experience, but next time, maybe you should consider that the guy is just doing his job, which sometimes requires him to be a bit of an ass. You were a waiter once; can't you relate?