Thank You for Calling Sega

[TwiliteZoner]

Years ago I worked at IBM doing tech support for the Thinkpad. My boss was one of the original techincians on the IBM PC. We often had talks about how stressful the job could be. I worked with a guy that literally had to spend a half hour outside of the building psyching himself up to go inside to work.

Edited April 27, 2009 by TwiliteZoner

[gdement]

Years ago I worked at IBM doing tech support for the Thinkpad. My boss was one of the original techincians on the IBM PC. We often had talks about how stressful the job could be. I worked with a guy that literally had to spend a half hour outside of the building psyching himself up to go inside to work.

I can imagine a job like that would be very stressful. IBM did a great job at it though, like Nintendo.

I called for an issue on my Thinkpad ~2001-2002 - they were awesome. Efficient and polite phone rep, a native English speaker, and knowledgeable enough not to waste time on unnecessary tests. The turnaround on the repair was incredible. I was without the laptop for a total of about 1.5 days round trip, including Airborne Express shipping which IBM provided.

 

I learned from that experience not to trust local, "authorized" repair shops anymore - they were slower than the round trip to IBM, and in 2 attempts they couldn't get it properly repaired. When I came back the 3rd time they basically told me to call IBM instead.

IBM fixed it right the first time so fast I hardly knew it was gone.

[Giltygear]

But, hey, I hate the human race in general anyway.. I'm hoping that 2012 brings death from the skies for every human on this world.

 

You are my fucking hero!

[TwiliteZoner]

You should have told the person who enquired about 'Donkey kong' that they dialled the wrong 0800 number, and you should have given them a 0800 sex line number and said....this is the free phone no. for nintendo of america's customer support

 

True story..

 

Once upon a time I worked for Stapels in the "Business machines" department, where we sold printers, fax machines, and of course, computers. To combat the rash of calls we got of people calling the store asking for tech support, we were given a list of phone numbers to give out to the customers.

 

One day a guy called and wanted support for his PAckard Bell PC. I looked down the list and gave him the 800 number. Something didnt look right about the number though -- it had nothing in common with all thier other support numbers. I called it.

 

It was a phone sex line.

 

 

It's funny you mention that because one of the IBM numbers was exactly the same as a sex line except for the 800 vs 888 area code.

[FlightSuit]

imho any time someone talks about cc fraud I get a little nervous. It's happened to me, but that was back then. Before, cc fraud was done by stealing a card or statement. Nowadays it's like stealing an identity. Now it can be done easier in some ways. But anyway, back on topic for me.

 

 

 

 

 

You're one of the few people who actually has any right at all to bristle at the thought of identity fraud, 'cause it's actually happened to you. I have no sympathy for the vast, unwashed, unthinking masses who are totally paranoid and hypersensitive about the subject for no other reason than the fact that the news media runs endless, lurid stories on the subject, and advertisers are constantly trying to inflame their fears so they can sell them worthless services like "Life-Lock." Yes, identity theft does happen, but grow up and think for yourselves, people; having your precious, little credit rating damaged isn't like being a victim of terrorism or having one of your children molested, and it's not bloody likely that it's gonna happen to you.

 

I should probably be more diplomatic than that; I didn't come here to make enemies.

 

For the record, and I really hate to admit this, but I will, since everybody's having such a huge conniption-fit over it, I don't recall ever actually using a customer's credit card number inappropriately. Yes, in the case of several ***holes, I did record that information in case I wanted to make us of it at a later date, and I strongly implied that I'd done so, in order to make myself look like more of a bad-ass, but if you read the wording of that story carefully, you'll see that I never actually said that I'd committed credit card fraud. So I do stand by my assertion that this is a true story, 'cause it is.

 

And I certainly did have fun with those "Bill Me Later" magazine subscription cards, among other things. Read the sequel to this story, "Raunchysafe P***play," for some more tales of my evil behavior which are sure to piss you off if you've never worked for a terrible boss. As with the first story, the warning about harsh language and adult themes still applies. So much so that I'm not even gonna link to the story here, but if you click around on my site, you'll find it.

 

Again, I hate admitting that I didn't actually commit credit card fraud, and I do apologize to anybody who's disappointed by that.

 

 

It's really neat that you got to work for Sega (don't I just sound like a fanboy???) back in the day. It would sure be neat to get some stuff mailed to me from them, even now.

 

I wonder if there are any temps still there, or has most of it gone to someplace else, like Japan?? I might try to get in on it.

 

Can I use you as a reference? I promise I won't reprint this:lol:

 

Dropping my name sure wouldn't get you far! Heck, they'd probably have security escort you off the premises! Years after that temp assignment ended, I happened to bump into one of my former co-workers, and he told me that, not only had he read the story, but that it had been copied and passed around at the office, and made its way to the other departments, so, basically, everybody at Sega saw it! I'm sure the managers of the Consumer Services department must have had coronaries, and the temp agency from which they'd gotten me must have surely received an extremely unpleasant phone calls or letter, and a lot less of Sega's business.

Edited April 29, 2009 by FlightSuit

[FlightSuit]

Daytona, have you ever worked with customers or with the public?

 

 

Thank you.

[FlightSuit]

Because credit card fraud is identity theft.. which.. don't know if you've ever watched the news before, but is kinda a big issue that everyone is trying their best to avoid...

 

I gotta give you credit for trying to get me to put myself in somebody else's shoes. Most people who disagree about anything on the Internet, especially if it involves my stories, videos, or statements, tend to be less civil than you.

[FlightSuit]

I'm American Indian. This land belonged to my ancestors long before you were here, so no, I'll be staying put regardless.

 

Sorry, you've touched a sore spot with me. I got screwed out of scholarships in high school because my family wasn't rich (I graduated top 10% of my class, 3.8GPA, won the History, Drafting, and English awards my senior year, got a friggin' perfect on the achievement test my junior year, and got tested at a 152 IQ). I got boned out of going to college because we weren't rich (and I applied for MANY scholarships, but got turned down for all of them). So, no, I have no marketable skills. Now I have brain damage that affects my short term memory, my body is beat to hell because of my wrestling days, and I still have no higher schooling. You take what jobs you can get sometimes.

 

But, hey, I hate the human race in general anyway.. I'm hoping that 2012 brings death from the skies for every human on this world.

 

Your pain is tangible. I'd say I feel your pain, but I don't want to sound trite, and I don't want to sound like Bill Clinton. I used to think I'd had a difficult life. Then I got to hear about other people's lives, and I realized I was quite mistaken.

 

Ironic, that your heritage comes up in response to a comment about how you shouldn't be here if you don't like our laws. Ironic, because most Native American Nations never had to deal with any kind of extreme lawlessness until white people showed up. From something as little as breaking an oral contract to things as inhuman as wholesale rape, pillage, germ warfare, and ethnic cleansing, white folk were the true innovators when it came to criminal behavior.

 

As for getting screwed out of scholarships for not being rich, that's messed up, 'cause, who the Hell are scholarships to supposed to go to if not to the people who don't have a lot of money?

 

What part of the country do you live in? Here in Northern California, we've got places like Skyline College in San Bruno, and City College of San Francisco, that are practically free, and if you've got a brain injury, or any kind of disability, there are various grants, loans, scholarships, and advocacy groups who are there just for you. I'm not trying to imply that it's perfect or anything, but it sucks that the rest of the country isn't like this. I have a good friend who grew up poor in Louisiana, and as a kid, he just assumed he'd never get to go to college. It wasn't until his family moved out here that doing so became an option.

 

He got his four-year degree, has been an editor of several newspapers, and is working towards, or may already have, his teaching credential.

 

But, I'm way off on a tangent.

 

I sense that your pain has given you strength.

 

May your rage give way to compassion.

 

My dad says the best revenge is to live well.

 

I'm not sure if I believe him, though.

[Giltygear]

ususally whatever doesn't kill you makes you hate the world that much more

 

...or so ive been told. im a pretty happy individual

Edited April 29, 2009 by Giltygear

[nathanallan]

I have no sympathy for the vast, unwashed, unthinking masses who are totally paranoid and hypersensitive about the subject for no other reason than the fact that the news media runs endless, lurid stories on the subject, and advertisers are constantly trying to inflame their fears so they can sell them worthless services like "Life-Lock." Yes, identity theft does happen, but grow up and think for yourselves, people; having your precious, little credit rating damaged isn't like being a victim of terrorism or having one of your children molested, and it's not bloody likely that it's gonna happen to you.

It seems to be more of the same Big Brother stuff that was in the book 1984; brainwashing, thought police. I'm waiting for the thought crimes to happen and punishments to be handed out. Better yet, Futurecrimes.

 

I refuse to get all upset, because like you say, it's not death or something really tragic. A massive inconvenience, sure, but that was it. So far I think I have used my credit rating, oh, maybe three times my whole life.

 

Your whole story ought to be an anonymous blog out there, forever alive on the Net! Come to think of it, I find some really old posts from here and other certain sites that have been around for years. Great story, and I still think it was a good one from back in the day, and it was great to hear it.

 

Nathan

[FlightSuit]

Thanks again! It's actually been published in two different books: The Best of Temp Slave, by Jeff Kelly, and The Factsheet Five Zine Reader, by R. Seth Friedman. Both books are worth getting, whether you wanna get angry or laugh your ass.

[Osbo]

I guess that's the reason Sega its in the crapper. I had nothing but good experiences calling Nintendo of America, they even refurbished a SNES that I found in a yard sale for almost free! I have never called IBM because I like to thinker with computers, but it doesn't surprise me that they have good costumer service, its a respectable company.

 

As for rude people when I call customer service? I either hang up the phone, or ask for the supervisor.

[Dauber]

Heh heh heh...asking for the supervisor...that's a good one!

 

When I did my stint in customer service (here's how bad it was -- it was stressful enough that I actually moved to NEW JERSEY during that stint!!), during training our supervisor just flat-out said that if someone asks for a supervisor, it AIN'T gonna happen. "They don't NEED a supervisor," he said, "because I'm not going to tell them anything different." He even suggested having someone else pose as a supervisor. The guy who trained us had an unusually high (if not gay) voice and admitted that because of his voice, he'd probably have ME (I have a slightly deep voice) talk to the customer and pose as the supervisor because I'd be more believable with my voice by telling the customer "no."

 

If you ask for the supervisor, chances are you're getting someone else who wasn't on a call at the time. "Hey, Joey, I need you to play the supervisor!"

[Tempest]

videogamers tend to be losers. They have no friends. They sit in their dark little rooms with the curtains closed, playing Mortal Kombat while the rest of us are out there having lives

 

Hey, I have blinds not curtains! Shows what you know about gamers...

 

Tempest

[kaishaku]

"I want to talk to the supervisor!"

"I am the supervisor."

"I want to talk to your supervisor!"

"I am my supervisor. I'm in charge here and I'm not going to acquiesce to your ridiculous request."

[nathanallan]

Sega is in the crapper because they decided this and that and it put them there (no more hardware, licensing out everything, basically not competing and selling out; I was in line to get a DC2). Treating temps as second class and not getting them to like the work they do is a disaster waiting to happen.

 

I was working at united blood services as a temp doing calls out. They gave us bottled water and a monthly feel-good party. The rest of the time we were treated like second class citizens. Upper management just cared about the bottom line and middle management (there were a few nice people) but mostly they sucked.

 

One girl was really overweight and wore these hip hugger jeans. Every day I forgot to bring my camera, just to toss her up on youtube but like I said, I kept forgetting. It was ass-crack city, and it would have been okay if her skin wasn't covered with greasy pimples, even right there.

 

Very glad I don't work there any more. I hated every minute of temp working, especially doing customer service. BTW the united blood services is a heaping crock of shite.

 

Flightsuit, I have those books on order, thanks for the tip!

Edited April 30, 2009 by nathanallan

[Dauber]

"I want to talk to the supervisor!"

"I am the supervisor."

"I want to talk to your supervisor!"

"I am my supervisor. I'm in charge here and I'm not going to acquiesce to your ridiculous request."

 

Heh...one of my coworkers had to deal with someone at Domino's headquarters to facilitate huge pizza orders (long story that I don't want to go into now), and let me just say...it's not just the food that sucks at Domino's, but EVERYTHING -- their record keeping, their delivery schedules, their invoicing, you name it.

 

Anyway...my coworker, as calmly as possible and very professionally and courteously, asked to speak to this woman's supervisor. She told him that there's nobody above her...despite the fact that her title actually was "assistant" something-or-other.

[kaishaku]

Heh...one of my coworkers had to deal with someone at Domino's headquarters to facilitate huge pizza orders (long story that I don't want to go into now), and let me just say...it's not just the food that sucks at Domino's, but EVERYTHING -- their record keeping, their delivery schedules, their invoicing, you name it.

 

The lady friend used to work at Pizza Hut and remembers it lovingly and nostalgically so that's our place of choice. After reading the stories on tipthepizzaguy.com whenever we get delivery I make sure to tip propitiously.

 

Anyway...my coworker, as calmly as possible and very professionally and courteously, asked to speak to this woman's supervisor. She told him that there's nobody above her...despite the fact that her title actually was "assistant" something-or-other.

 

Sadly, that's actually quite possible. I worked for a place that would often filibuster on promoting someone indefinitely (like, months or years) to avoid paying benefits and full time salary.

[nathanallan]

I love that site. I was a driver for Domino's once and posted thsi blog about it a while back:

 

**DISCLAIMER**

 

This blog contains suggestions of an adult nature. Now then.

 

Right now, among my personal projects and school, I deliver for Domino's to make actual money. It's modest but it pays bills and keeps me rolling.

 

If you're a customer that wants a pizza delivered, please realize that as a driver, I am like a waiter.

 

YOU TIP WAITERS, SO WHY NOT DRIVERS?

 

Go watch a few youtube videos on pizza delivering, and what drivers really think about non-tippers. Guys, you're pretty much out of luck. Tip, or we will remember who you are and give you crappy service next time.

 

Women, however, if you look pretty good, this sounds terrible but I'm a guy after all, if you want to not tip, at least show some skin. If you want a free pizza, tell us to call before you leave and we can arrange some peek-a-boo time and hell, I'll pay for your pizza then. Skin=credit with a guy driver.

 

So ladies, if you don't want to tip, at least not with money, then feel free to take your shirts off for us.

We'll like that better than money anyway. Full nudity for me = free pizza. yes, I will pay for the entire order, depending on how long you stay undressed. You can sneak it in, kinda let the towel drop "accidentally" as you are by the door. We'll understand. Just be sure to have us call you first, to make the arrangement.

 

If you get a girl driver, then forget it. But us guys, we like shows like that. i will pay, if not the next guy. it's all up to the driver.

 

I like skin.

 

This was mainly a rant. Feel free to flame me. This advise is given from one adult to other adults. It is not abuse. If you don't like it, then exit.

[godslabrat]

You're one of the few people who actually has any right at all to bristle at the thought of identity fraud, 'cause it's actually happened to you. I have no sympathy for the vast, unwashed, unthinking masses who are totally paranoid and hypersensitive about the subject for no other reason than the fact that the news media runs endless, lurid stories on the subject, and advertisers are constantly trying to inflame their fears so they can sell them worthless services like "Life-Lock." Yes, identity theft does happen, but grow up and think for yourselves, people; having your precious, little credit rating damaged isn't like being a victim of terrorism or having one of your children molested, and it's not bloody likely that it's gonna happen to you.

 

Oh, brother... some days I feel like I'm in a sea of paranoia. I used to work retail, and for larger purchases or those involving credit cards, we had to take customer information. We were supposed to get it on every sale, but for smaller cash transactions, we'd let it slide. Anyway... damn, but if you ask for someone's phone number they go through the roof! Even when it's for something like "Hey, if we're fixing your computer, we need a way to tell you it's done." Now, I understand the hate of telemarketers-- on a different forum, I've listed the various ways I've tormented them over the years, but our company DIDN'T do that! I can be 100% confident that the numbers we took were only used for record keeping. Still, as soon as I'd ask, they'd foam at the mouth and scream "IT'S UNLISTED! I NEVER GIVE THAT OUT!!!". No amount of reasoning like "It's a way we can identifiy your purchase in case you lose your reciept, which I know you will." would work. What did work, almost every time, was the Jedi Mind Trick:

 

"Could I have your phone number please?"

 

"It's unlisted!!!!" *drool...*

 

*blank stare* "That's okay. You can give me an unlisted number."

 

"Oh. It's 555-2456"

 

"Thank you."

 

I shit you not... reason with people, and they never get it. Jedi Mind Trick them, and they just roll over. Go figure.

[Emehr]

When cashiers ask for my phone number I just say "no". Toys R' Us always asks for my phone number. Why do they need it? If I lose my receipt after I buy something and I need to return it, well, that's my own damn fault. I'm an adult and I'll take full responsibility for my actions as a consumer. Just let me buy what I want to buy. Stop asking for my phone number, my ZIP code, my mother's maiden name, a pint of blood, if I want a subscription to Sports Illustrated or Entertainment Weekly, if I have or want a "rewards" card, etc. Stop the madness!

[FlightSuit]

I made a purchase at Toys R Us just the other day, and it was crazy how many things I had to say "no" to:

 

 

"This item requires six AA batteries, would you like to..."

 

No.

 

"Would you like to save ten percent on your purchase today?" (i.e., would you like to apply for our store credit card?)

 

No.

 

"Would you like to protect this purchase with our extended service agreement? It will only cost five dollars to add two years of protection to..."

 

No.

 

What could have been a simple, quick, cash transaction had to become stressful and time-consuming, all because Toys R Us keeps their employees in a state of nervous anxiety, fearing that the one time they neglect to ask these stupid questions, the person making the purchase will be a mystery shopper.

 

Very annoying.

[FlightSuit]

Flightsuit...Shame that you weren't recalled to work for sega again

 

I guess this was before the tie up's with both ATARI and SNK (early 90's)

 

what sega games did they let you play (less sonic or altered beast)

 

Did you ever have to go the whole hog with a customer (i.e how to set up a megadrive, stick in a cartridge etc etc) and have them still swear blind that the darned thing still doesn't work (even though you know it does)

 

 

I don't know what you're referring to when you mention "tie-ups" with Atari and SNK. My job at Sega began very late in 1994 and ended some time in early 1995, I think.

 

This was during the 32X fiasco. I say "fiasco," because customers were so incredibly confused by the process of hooking up a 32X to a Genesis. I don't recall which specific games we got to play, but I do remember there being 32X units in the break room. They were housed inside these big, arcade-cabinet-like enclosures, naturally, so we could play the games, but wouldn't be able to steal them.

 

We were also trained on how to do tech support for something called the Sega Pico, if I'm remembering correctly. It was some type of learning computer for children or something. I'm not sure if I ever got a call about it, but I don't think I even thought of it until just now. Talk about rare and obscure consoles! I'm gonna have to Google "Sega Pico" and see what comes up...

[Tempest]

This was during the 32X fiasco. I say "fiasco," because customers were so incredibly confused by the process of hooking up a 32X to a Genesis. I don't recall which specific games we got to play, but I do remember there being 32X units in the break room. They were housed inside these big, arcade-cabinet-like enclosures, naturally, so we could play the games, but wouldn't be able to steal them.

 

We were also trained on how to do tech support for something called the Sega Pico, if I'm remembering correctly. It was some type of learning computer for children or something. I'm not sure if I ever got a call about it, but I don't think I even thought of it until just now. Talk about rare and obscure consoles! I'm gonna have to Google "Sega Pico" and see what comes up...

I still don't think I know how to hook up the 32X. I just plug all the available cables into the holes until it works. I've never seen such a kludge device in my life...

 

The Pico was indeed an educational system put out by Sega. In the US I think it only had 6 or 8 games, but there was a ton of stuff released in Japan. Here it was all Disney and other kiddie licenses, but in Japan they had cool robot sets that remind me of ROB in some ways.

 

Tempest

[TwiliteZoner]

This was during the 32X fiasco. I say "fiasco," because customers were so incredibly confused by the process of hooking up a 32X to a Genesis. I don't recall which specific games we got to play, but I do remember there being 32X units in the break room. They were housed inside these big, arcade-cabinet-like enclosures, naturally, so we could play the games, but wouldn't be able to steal them.

 

We were also trained on how to do tech support for something called the Sega Pico, if I'm remembering correctly. It was some type of learning computer for children or something. I'm not sure if I ever got a call about it, but I don't think I even thought of it until just now. Talk about rare and obscure consoles! I'm gonna have to Google "Sega Pico" and see what comes up...

I still don't think I know how to hook up the 32X. I just plug all the available cables into the holes until it works. I've never seen such a kludge device in my life...

 

The Pico was indeed an educational system put out by Sega. In the US I think it only had 6 or 8 games, but there was a ton of stuff released in Japan. Here it was all Disney and other kiddie licenses, but in Japan they had cool robot sets that remind me of ROB in some ways.

 

Tempest

 

My friend bought one for his daughter back when they came out and if I remember correctly it was a lot like what Leapfrog did a couple of years ago.

Edited May 1, 2009 by TwiliteZoner