February 5, 2016, filed under Cruising Frustrations…
I need to call the US to make some banking arrangements. It should be easy, right? I’m not expecting easy… It’s never easy (am I creating my own, difficult reality?).
- First, I’m sick of bad Skype calls. I’ll use my mobile phone.
- I need to research international calling rates – it could be $2 a minute!
- I can get 300 international minutes for $10 from 2 Degrees Mobile.
- Does that include the US? (research, research, research) Yes.
- Add the International Chat Pack.
- Not enough credit.
- Add credit.
- Add the International Chat Pack.
- Not enough credit.
- Wait.
- Add the International Chat Pack. Success.
- Dial, but wait, how? Any special codes?
- (research, research, research)
- I still don’t know, I’ll try dialing +1 then the number.
- Didn’t work, call wouldn’t connect.
- Enough of this, I’ll call customer support, but what’s their number?
- (research, research, research)
- Still can’t find the number to call from my mobile, but here’s a toll-free number (but it uses up 5 minutes of my talk time anyway). Call.
Minutes navigating the automated phone system pass, then “Welcome to 2 Degrees, how may I help you?”
“What do I dial to call the US?”
“I don’t know, why don’t you try 001?” (That’s basically what she said.)
I do it… it doesn’t work. Call support again.
I explain again. Guy says “+1 should work. I don’t know what’s going on. Why don’t you try again, maybe after rebooting your phone?”
(30+ minutes have elapsed. It’s now lunch time in the US and the guy I’m calling is probably away, eating his quiche.)
Finally, after reboot and another try, the call goes through.
“Hi, can I speak to Don?”
“I’m sorry, he’s away today. Can you call back tomorrow?”
Oh, the joys of the cruising life! -Rich
