Path: utzoo!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!ukma!usenet.ins.cwru.edu!agate!telecom-request From: CER2520@ritvax.isc.rit.edu (Curtis E. Reid) Newsgroups: comp.dcom.telecom Subject: Re: Calling an Out-of-Area 800 Number Message-ID: Date: 11 Mar 91 14:38:00 GMT Sender: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu Organization: TELECOM Digest Lines: 41 Approved: Telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Submissions-To: telecom@eecs.nwu.edu X-Administrivia-To: telecom-request@eecs.nwu.edu X-Telecom-Digest: Volume 11, Issue 198, Message 5 of 9 In TELECOM Digest v11 n194, David E. Wallace writes: > Note: after writing the above, I re-checked the Oakland phone book and > found that there *is* a regular number lsited there, under a separate > heading. UNITED PARCEL SERVICE has the 800 number above, United > Parcel Service (at the same address) is listed as 415-568-0200. It Sigh. UPS has played trick on you again. They did that with me some years back. UPS has been very *careful* not to give out the local phone number of the station and makes sure that all numbers goes to a regional customer service center whether it's convenient for you or not. For example, there is a UPS station about five miles from where I live. I *cannot* call them directly; I must call on their 800 number which routes to a Buffalo customer service center that serves the Western New York State. I pleaded and cajouled with UPS to obtain the local number; they refused. In fact, when I finally got their local number, about 1.5 years later, they changed all their numbers and I had to go through this route again. Now, I have their new local number and I *refuse* to give it out. :-) :-) Anyway, their reasoning is that why should the local station have to field your calls when they have a customer service center? Makes sense yes, but UPS still has not utilized its MIS technology so there is a two or three day delay in communicating my requests to the station. Federal Express is a shining example of utilizing its MIS technology. In fact, when I called their 800 number to tell them I needed to talk to the local station here, they told me no problem -- they'd be happy to transfer my call directly to them (on their 800 line). Fed Exp took care of what needed to be done. Curtis E. Reid CER2520@RITVAX.Bitnet (Bitnet) CER2520@RITVAX.isc.rit.edu (Internet)