email

I, Antagonist

I’m writing this article a different person to yesterday. I received an unexpected email from my stepmother. I should be thankful really, as it made me realise a few things.

On reading its contents my mind switched swiftly to my graduation. I had made up my mind as to who I would invite: just not how to approach it. I discussed this dilemma with a friend, and he said something rather profound:

I’d say the right decision is the one you want, and not the decision that makes things easy. Whatever comes of it is then the next problem to solve. And if people make it your problem, and make you the antagonist, they probably aren’t worth listening to anyway.

Yesterday, I was going to invite the people I really wanted to be there, and nothing more. After the email, I wanted to use the email to thank those that have been around and gave me help rather than wait for it to be asked of them, and punish those that I feel have let me down. Now having spoken to my friend, who also said that the graduation should be my day rather than just to thank people for their support, I have no clue who to invite.

There aren’t many people in the group that I have been told should be invited that haven’t let me down at some point. However, I’m torn between those I want to invite, those I’m expected to invite, and those that would make my life more awkward if I hadn’t invited them.

...with no replies just yet.

A Measure Of Service

Yesterday I emailed O2, Vodafone, Virgin Mobile and T-Mobile, using the most appropriate email address I could find on the website. In the cases of O2 and Vodafone, the contact address was for current customers, as no other email addresses were available. Here is the content of my message:

Hello,

I am currently with Orange on a service plan called “EQ Virgin”, where the cost of my calls and messages are equivalent to those currently charged by Virgin Mobile.

The deal is that I do not have any monthly line rental charge, but I pay for the calls I make in arrears by Direct Debit.

Can a similar tariff be arranged on <company name>, where I don’t pay a monthly fee, but I pay for the calls and messages and I make?

And this was sent at about 12.05pm.

The first to respond was T-Mobile, received at 15:31:

Hello Stephen

Thanks for contacting me to know the price plan available with T-Mobile that would suit your requirement.

After looking into your query I’d like to suggest you for a new pay as you go price plan. It is not a monthly contract phone but you will have to top up as per your usage.

… followed by a lengthy run-down of their tariffs. It was very quick, very detailed, and though it did not offer what I really wanted, T-Mobile told me (everything) that they could offer. Good service.

The second to reply were Virgin Mobile at 16:11:

Hi Stephen,

Thanks for your email to Virgin Mobile about finding out more on our latest deals and promotions.

We’re really excited to hear you’re thinking of joining Virgin Mobile, with our amazing deals and services, we’re sure you’ll be more than happy if you decide to switch over!

The great news is if you’d like to Pay As You Go and avoid top up hassles, you can choose to pay by Direct Debit.

… again followed by a run-down of their pay as you go options, and their pay monthly options. It was also still quicker than I had expected, offered me pretty much what I wanted, and gave me all the information to view in one place. Good service.

At 16:38, O2 replied:

Hello Stephen,

Thank you for emailing us to ask if we can offer you the same deal that you received from Orange network.

I’m unable to tell you if we can offer you the same deal that you received from Orange network. Our sales team handle all sales related queries and they’ll be able to help you with your query. Please contact them on 08702 257 879. They’re available Monday to Friday between 08:30am and 09:00pm and on Saturday and Sunday between 10:00am and 06:00pm. Calls are charged at 20p per minute from O2 Pay Monthly phones and at national rate from fixed line phones.

… with little more by way of information. That’s pretty rubbish to me. Potential customers have to pay national rate to talk to one of their "sales team" just to find out whether what I want is possible. It’s not something I was willing to do – I avoided it in the first place – so I won’t. And I don’t appreciate being fleeced before even considering becoming a customer. So they’re out. Bad service.

Finally, Vodafone replied the next day at 10:03:

Dear Stephen,

Many thanks for your email,

Unfortunately there are no deals similar to this on our website, but please call our pay as you talk customer services team on 08700 77 66 55 who may be able to recommend a better deal for you.

… which is even worse than O2 – at least they tell me their number is national rate. This was also the entire content of the email. I suppose at least they gave me a straight answer and advice on what to do, but really, surely they could at least give me some indication as to whether my hunt for the deal I want is in vain.

I didn’t think that what I wanted was such a problem: Orange have let me do it for years. All I want is to pay for the calls and messages I make – just like any ordinary landline phone. It’s not outlandish, so why the hassle?

Thanks to all those at the companies that took the time to respond. Perhaps soon I shall hit the town and try the stores and see what better offers humans can give me rather than machines.

...with no replies just yet.

Post Haste

If you live in the UK it may have escaped your attention that today is the second day of the postal strike, meaning that postal workers have not touched a single envelope since 7pm last night. I’m not sure of their point exactly, and I wonder why they are doing this.

First of all, the point of the postal strike is that it is meant to have impact. It puts people’s noses out of joint, winds them up and wish the strike never happened. However, with a postal strike, you get your post a few days late. That’s nothing new. It just means the postal workers have twice as much work to do when they get back.

And that’s the point. If the postal service can cope with a lot more mail than would normally be expected, then it gives credence to the notion that reduced staff numbers can cope with the normal load. Also, as a result of the postal strikes, I would expect many companies to ‘try out’ an alternative delivery company and be that more satisfied with the new company that they won’t return to Royal Mail.

The strikes are only funding their own downfall. The UK is fast turning from so-called "snail mail" for email, SMS messaging and phone calls rather than waiting days for an item of post that has no guarantees over its arrival date, let alone time. If the postal service does not modernise as per the recommendations, losing a few jobs will be the least of their worries.

...with one reply so far.