About 6 months ago, we changed long distance companies. A little bit later, I got a bill for $5 from AT&T. "Oh that must be the last bill," I thought, and paid it. Then, 2 months later, there was a bill for $11. And then another one for $11 two more months later. Like a jackass, I continued paying these bills, thinking each one was the last one. Then the next one I got was for $5! "These aren't going to stop, are they?" I thought to myself. To my credit, I did call them after the second bill for $11. I called their 800 number and went around and around and around their automated menus looking for a real live person to talk to, and when I finally got put on hold, and an automated voice said, "The next operator will be with you in approximately four minutes," I breathed a sigh of relief. Three minutes later, I got disconnected. After all that!! I was so annoyed and exhausted, I put the number in my to-do stack and never got back to it.

Then on Friday morning (about 6 weeks after that last episode), I got a phone call. I didn't recognize the number in the caller ID, but I answered anyway. It was someone from AT&T trying to sell me phone cards. I said, "I'm not interested, but maybe you can help me with something."

I told her my problem, and she said, "So you're receiving TWO long distance bills?"

"Yeah," I said.

"Oh, that's not right at all! Here, call this number..."

I couldn't believe how helpful and pleasant she was! I called that number and the most amazing thing ever happened. A real live person picked up after 2 rings!! No automated crap at all!

I talked to a few people and the bottom line is that they're sending me a check for 30 bucks. Oh, yes! I rock!

Also, they were offering me all these various options so that I'd go back with them. And I stood my ground, damn it! I just kept saying, "No thanks, I'm happy where I'm at now," and they couldn't do anything about it. Awesome! As little as a year ago, I had such a hard time with that stuff, and I'm already better at not letting people persuade me into doing things I don't want to do. Back off, sales people! Respect my loyalty to my long distance providers or fear my wrath!

Okay, it's not quite as dramatic as all that.

But I am excited about my check!

~~Meg