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Verizon's Angel
I left town for a few days to get away from "Life's Little Mysteries," like my dishwasher and telephone problems. A night at the Saratoga Casino and Racetrack with Erik and his wife Sarah was a great getaway, even though I headed back north this morning a lot lighter in the wallet.
I could tell you the story of my meal at Red Robin Restaurant, gourmet hamburger heaven, but I have more important issues right now. As I was driving up the Northway this morning, I knew when I hit Plattsburgh I would have to take on the telephone giant, Verizon.
So, I dialed the same customer service phone number that I had a few days ago, expecting another thirty minutes of stress and mayhem. What a surprise. No longer than one minute into the automated messages I heard, "If at anytime you would like to speak with a Verizon representative, just speak the word 'agent'."
Aha! The magic word! Without taking a breath I screamed "agent" into the telephone. With that simple word, all automated messages ceased and a phone rang. It was quickly answered by a pleasant human voice who expressed concern about my problem. She checked this and checked that in my account and came up with the solution that "it's Verizon's problem and we will have it rectified by 5pm today."
With a smile on my face I decided to push my luck. I asked about a refund for the five days that I couldn't call my many friends in Keeseville and Peru and Jay. This knowledgable lady transferred my call to "billing."
In less than thirty seconds I was speaking to another human voice in the billing department. I explained what my problem has been for the past five-to-seven days, and the customer service representative said she would have "no problem giving you credit for a week that you did not have all of your services, Mr. Gagnon."
I think she may have heard me dancing around the kitchen in happiness, especially when a pan fell from the kitchen shelf. I told her how happy I was to speak to human beings today at Verizon. She replied, "I'm happy to hear that you don't like the automated system." She explained that she has spent a long career as a customer service rep in various fields and she understands the importance of the human voice. Now this is my kind of girl! After a week of frustration and anger at Verizon, here was a Verizon angel sitting on my shoulder.
The customer service rep and I had an interesting conversation and I eventually told her about my blog of a few days ago attacking Verizon. She promised to check it out, along with my new blog today! This Verizon angel, Tooshdia Brandon, lifted my spirits and brightened my day. She gave me an entirely new attitude about Verizon. She must be a "head honcho" in the company, because she even gave me extra credit on my bill before she said goodbye.
Tooshdia said, "I am Verizon's face, I am Verizon's voice, I am Verizon." I vote for her! Because of Tooshdia I am not switching my telephone service. Because of Tooshdia I'll have a sunny disposition for the rest of the day, and even into the weekend!
As long as I can call Keeseville after five o'clock today!
Comments
So true, I have Sprint they promised our bill to be 60 dollars a month next bill was 500 BUCKS!!!! There was of course hidden cost and fees for different things. Who knew.... phone companies definitely get their money. They explained we had unlimited text. we called four times to cancel it and they continued it. They just dont listen.... I suppose!!!!
*ANGELA*
Posted by: Angela | November 8, 2006 2:13 PM
Talk about dumb decisions, I was asked to play on the 1969 team and said no. And they win the state championship - how dumb did I feel! It's one of those things that I regret to this day. Congratulations to that 1969 team.
Posted by: Miney Rowlson | October 12, 2006 7:24 AM
Hey Foxy,
Just got back from my six month sabattical with my guru in the Himalaya's. My spirit has been refreshed. Needed to be uplifted after the bruising I took from "W". WOW, it took me all weekend to catch up with blogging. The 'carver" has reached a status beyond anything I could ever imagine. This "Old Timer" impresses me too. What a memory and experiences. There were a lot of names and locations even I could not place, although if you remember I was just a quiet little sheltered catholic lad.
I think I can help with the Post 20 teams though. Harry Demary started the team in the summer of '67 with following list of characters: From PHS;Tom Herlihy, Lenny Duquette, Dennis Reid. Peru: Mike and John Rock, Barney Woodward, Billy Giroux, and Randy Mathews. OLVA had Mike Flynn and Joe Staves and MAI's Wayne Ducatte and Saranac's Sam Campbell and St. John's Johnny Carpenter. In '68 saw the addition of Tim O'Connell, Randy Senecal from MAI, Dale McNally from PHS, Larry Carpenter from St. John's and Dick Denny and Mike St. Louis from Beekmantown. 1969 was the team that won the New York State Championship and players like Pip Lafontaine, Lynn Tusa, Tim McDonough, John Hart, John Mousseau, Mike Bleau, Dale Meron, John Ireland were added to St. Louis, Staves, L. Carpenter, O'Connell, Senecal, McNally, Denny .
I may have missed some. Great to be back.
(Foxy's note: Glad that "Bullet" has returned. I was worried, but that Himalayan guru must have done you well. Your memory seems as sharp as ever -- get ready ... my Little League memories are just up ahead ... ever hear of Ubl & Adams?)
Posted by: Bullet | October 10, 2006 4:56 PM
A few other legion greats that come to mind would be Tim O'Connell. John Carpenter, Mike Flynn and later Paul "crusher" O'Connell...
Hey are you making an appearance at the
PHS Hall of Fame Golf Tourney today?? I hear there will be quite a cast of characters on hand ... including several of theses famed x ball players as well as some from the 70's and 80's and even 90's.... might even run into one of the mayoral candidates and you'll definitely run into several Hall of Fame Members as well as the famed, yet winless Meron's team who will be looking to take down the feared team from "Ground Force One" (I'm sure they'll arrive in style!) ... if you need a ride call Nadim he'll probably pick you up ! it's at Adirondack Golf Course, today starting around 11:30, supposed to be a great day come on out and enjoy!
(Foxy's note: thanks for the invitation, the Carver!)
Posted by: the carver | October 9, 2006 7:09 AM
I regret to inform you that the customer serivce agent you spoke to has been terminated (from employment). This is a recording....
Have a nice day.
Posted by: oh oh | October 8, 2006 11:36 AM
foxy glad to hear of your success with verizon, was she able to do anything about the dishwasher??
guess we missed out on quite a gathering thurday at meron's ... it was Harry Demery night (the legendary legion coach of yesteryear )... I hear there was quite a line up of the former 1960's legion greats on hand...
how many of the great 65-66-67-68-69 legion players can you name? Wow they were awesome!
(Foxy's note: Yes, Bob Garrow called me with an invitation, but I was out of town that night. I remember a bunch of greats from the Legion team. I'll start it off with: Joe Staves, Pip Lafountain, Johnny Ireland, Mike St. Louis, John Mousseau, Johnny Hart ... who else?)
Posted by: the carver | October 7, 2006 6:59 AM