Posted by Northern_Phoenix on Wed 6 Aug 08, 2:39 PM to Northern_Phoenix's blog.
Ok, so before launching into part one, there's even a preface. Just think of it like a novel, but a bit shitter and not really all that interesting.
About a month back, during my last week down in Uni-land, I have a problem with my debit card. Nothing major in the grand scheme of things; just a new card becoming active automatically (despite it being in an unopened envelope hundreds of miles away), and the old one deactivating as a result. It was all sorted out quickly and easily.
But of course, as people will no doubt be well aware, as one card dies, there's a plethora of things that need changing so the new one is used. One such thing is an ISP, which is where todays happening comes from.
Earlier on, there was an automated phone message left on the answerphone, saying there was a problem with my account, and to call their credit control department as soon as possible. I know what you're thinking: 'Ah, that'll be one card expired, and them needing new details, right?'
Wrong!
That was all sorted out on Monday, after an identical message being left on Friday, and an insanely threatening email the day after (talk of cancelling account, debt collectors, and negative credit ratings as a result). All for a payment that was a week late at the time, for the princely sum of about £20.
It's sorted, I have a reference number to prove it, but I'm half expecting to be cut off by the middle of next week due to ineptitude. The guy on the phone today wasn't helpful either. Apparently he doesn't know why I got the message because my accounts shows up to date, with the payment recorded, and it shouldn't have happened. 'Don't worry about it' was the exact wording he used.
Still, either way I'll be serving notice on the account the day before my next payment is due (the usual minimum notice period and being billed for the nex full month afterwards means that seems to make the most sense) and moving elsewhere, and if they ask why, I'll tell them quite bluntly, since there's a whole list of reasons!
Phoenix
