Nix on Terminix

[Satzaroo]

I am a relatively patient man. But last Tuesday, I came close to exploding. My house at the beach periodically needs to be sprayed for roaches, termites, and other pesky vermin. Terminix was supposed to send someone to debug my house and check the termite traps between one and two o'clock a couple of days ago. When no one came by four o'clock, I decided to stop pacing and contact the company. The woman I spoke to was a disaster. First of all, I had trouble understanding her because she swallowed her words and had a thick accent--two liabilities for a receptionist. After I told her that the exterminator had not yet arrived, she put me on hold for a few minutes while I had to listen to a mishmash of prerecorded Terminix hype. When the receptionist got back to me, she said that Bill had called in sick that day, and all other servicepeople were too busy to spray my house that afternoon. Three things bugged me about her response: she called me "Ma'm" three times, she mentioned that the appointment was to have been between "two and one o'clock" {?}, and she was unconcerned that no one had told me that I couldn't be serviced that day. I complained about being left in the lurch--I could have waited all afternoon without getting a call from the company. When I was younger, I would have insulted the obnoxious woman for her poor enunciation, her indifference,and her overall stupidity--particularly after hearing some more "Ma'ms." But I was polite enough to hang up before cursing her. As I have grown older, I have become more diplomatic; I have managed not to blurt out my anger. I have taken a long leave of absence from righteous wrath--at least on the phone. But give me an anonymous format, and I turn back into the hothead of the good old days.

[mc ukrneal]

Three things bugged me about her response

You were bugged with more problems than that!! I love inadvertant puns like that.

I am amazed you waited until 4! I would have called at 2:01 or perhaps even earlier to check if they were on time. Often, I call even before the set period (or close to the beginning) to find out if they are on schedule.  I find that is helpful. Companies are notoriously bad at communicating this info. At least it might take the sting away.