How to Get Your Way in Today's World

I am wondering...so let's take a vote: Do you think a customer service rep. is more apt to give you what you're asking for if you a) Are pleasant, explain your side of the story and make a reasonable offer, or b) Throw a fit like a 3-year-old, spew threats and use profanity?

Well folks, I have found in recent situations, B has been winning out. Although I've yet to try it, and Lord knows I can spew and cuss, I can't say personally that it works. Let's just say I have "friends" of mine who are in customer service who give the pissy people their way, and the nice people get screwed. "So sorry." "Oh, that's ok. I thought I'd ask."

I have been in situations on occasion where my two teen/college kids are with me...my voice gets a little heated and I start getting riled up, my kids say, "Mom DO NOT embarrass us." And they pull me away. Oooh, just once let me go off on someone! I want my way, dammit. I deserve to get what other pissys get! OK children, mommy will cool down. (Hey, they're old and they've heard my language just a few times.) And I'm sure it will help me get my way, right?

So I order this backpack/computer case from Dell. It's on sale for $38 bucks. I get an email: confirmed order. I get another email: delayed shipping. I get another email: Ah sorry! Discontinued...but hey, here's a link to a similar product WE ARE SURE YOU WILL LIKE.

Well sure I like it but I don't enjoy the fact that this "similar" item is $58 dollars. No, I do not LIKE it. So I call the number they listed on the email. After being transferred THREE times and being told, "Sorry mam, you have to call the sales department and this is not their number..." ok list the sales number then you ID 10 Ts! Of course, nothing against the out-sourced foreigners, but you know what I'm gonna say...

I go through this whole schpiel with this dude, who says, "I have to talk to my supervisor...oh sorry mam, we cannot sell you this item for the same price. It is a different type of bag." (What happened to similar?) So I found 'similar' which was still $10 higher and he would not sell it to me. Then HE LAUGHED AT ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I politely told him I will not be purchasing anything from Dell again.

Well call me pissy, which I was not, but when I go to Hy-Vee and they are out of something, they substitute the 'similar' product for the same price. I was not trying to screw Dell out of their $10 bucks! The difference in the price? One was red, the one they were offering was green. So that's worth a price increase, eh?

If I know I'm on the losing end, should I lower my standards and go all Jeckyl/Hyde on the rep? I am certain I will feel better. Although, I am sure all I will get out of it will still be a laugh.

OK I've got out all my pissiness now. Thank you for reading. Please come back again! Have a nice day.