How the Horse made $1.80 in an hour...and is ticked off about it!
By The Horse
@TheHorse (218597)
Walnut Creek, California
May 4, 2017 12:08pm CST
Yesterday, I called DMV to I could renew the registration for my car. I owed $123 and wanted to pay for it using my credit card, which gives me 1.5% back on all purchases (more for food and gas, I think). $1.80 is several days of MyLotting for me, so I was all for saving that amount.
Of course, I got put on eternal hold. Then I gave up and had them call me back. The fella who called me back spoke English, understood the situation, and gave me the information I needed to pay by phone. He even paid me a compliment: "You have a good voice, so the automated system with understand you." I said, "Thanks for your clarity as well!" and we both had a laugh.
But when I tried to use the automated system, it failed. When I tried to voice-enter the date my payment was due, the system got confused, and wouldn't let me re-enter it. It basically hung up on me. I uttered a few oaths and gave up for the day.
This morning, when I tried it again, I succeeded. It only took about ten minutes (this time), and my new sticker will be here in "two to three business days." All in all, I spent about an hour trying to pay with my credit card by phone.
When automated systems fail you, do you give up and try a different method? Or do you try again, as I did in this case. Do you ever compare a couple of bucks saved with your earnings on MyLot? I admit that I sometimes spontaneously do that.
19 people like this
22 responses
@dragon54u (31634)
• United States
4 May 17
It used to be that you could hit the zero and get a real person but most systems don't do that now. I just keep screaming at the it to let me talk to a person. The louder the voice the more confused it gets and if you throw in a few really bad words it hastens the process of getting a real person.
I hate automated systems with a hot, seething, boiling hatred that can't be adequately expressed with words. I congratulate you for your patience and persistence!
3 people like this
@TheHorse (218597)
• Walnut Creek, California
4 May 17
@sugartoes It would be fun to hear what people actually say when confronted with "broken" or lame automated systems.
@ptrikha_2 (46928)
• India
6 May 17
I will in think in terms of some money for groceries and some for eating icecreams.
And of course, I can use some of my earnings for my public transport expenses too.
1 person likes this
@ptrikha_2 (46928)
• India
8 May 17
@MALUSE Well may be when things improve, I can spend more on other things - may be coffee/cakes or books!
1 person likes this
but when the automated system fail saying a bad word transfer my call to a "human" assistant and it's so much easier to deal with a human.
@JudyEv (339644)
• Rockingham, Australia
5 May 17
We usually have the option to 'speak' or push buttons. I usually push buttons but I think they are trying to force everyone to use voice. I had trouble with the numbers but didn't have any trouble when speaking the options. But I hate when these agencies bully us into the path they want.
2 people like this
@spiderdust (14761)
• San Jose, California
4 May 17
Would it have been easier to do this at the DMV office instead of over the phone? Of course, that is its own special kind of hell.
2 people like this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
6 May 17
dont you wish you could just pay online?
1 person likes this
@Jessicalynnt (50523)
• Centralia, Missouri
8 May 17
@TheHorse for something like that I wouldnt even try, save the interacting for something I can do face to face, lol
@JESSY3236 (19912)
• United States
5 May 17
I hate automated systems. My voice is not a good voice.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (218597)
• Walnut Creek, California
10 May 17
@JESSY3236 CP can be a pain. I'm glad it's mild. Do you eat stuff that helps your myelin sheaths?
1 person likes this
@JESSY3236 (19912)
• United States
9 May 17
@TheHorse I have mild cerebral palsy and my speech sometimes doesn't come out good.
1 person likes this
@thislittlepennyearns (62253)
• Defuniak Springs, Florida
4 May 17
Glad you finally got through and got DMV taken care of. i try to pay any and all bills online, as I get way too frustrated with the over the phone systems.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61102)
• United States
5 May 17
We can renew online and it is simple and painless!!
1 person likes this
@Courtlynn (67085)
• United States
4 May 17
Oh wow. I call places and they say you have a wait time of an hour or 30mins and i hang up.. also i get the same thing you do where it hangs up on me and i dot even bother to call back after til a day or two later. Would be too much stress if it happened again right after.
1 person likes this
@chrissbergstrom (10767)
• Banks, Oregon
4 May 17
Automated systems can be so annoying
1 person likes this
@teamfreak16 (43418)
• Denver, Colorado
8 May 17
I hate talking to automated systems. I feel foolish doing so.
1 person likes this
@Hannihar (130218)
• Israel
6 Feb 18
I sit on hold and if they hang up on my I call back or will try again. I have no choice if have to get things done. I get frustrated but do not give up.
