My Job and the Wierdos

Inspired by my friend Matt Limpede who writes about his work, I've decided to write about all the weird people I encounter at my work. I work at Convergys which is a customer support outsourcing company. We have accounts with Albertsons, DirectTV, and other well-known companies. I work on the Intel account doing things like:

• giving pre-sales information on all Intel products (motherboards, processors, etc.)
  
• configuring servers using Intel products to customers
• supporting a co-op advertising program
• managing a membership program of computer resellers

and other corporate stuff (interviewing, managing incentive programs, etc.). I talk to company president's, computer technicians, and grandma's that can't use the internet. Since we're the general support line to Intel (anywhere on the Intel website will tell you to call 866-655-6565 and you'll get our line), we get all types of calls.

Today, I got a call from someone who claimed that Microsoft was spying on him and sabotaging his equipment. He had a company that implements microprocessors and wanted a special relationship with Intel so he didn't have to go through anyone (and let Microsoft know what he was doing). I told him we had a program for him to sign up for and offered to show him where it was on the internet. I told him to enter "Early Access" in the search bar on our webpage. He said he'd rather have the URL. I told him the URL was very long and it would be easier to just enter it on our searchpage. He seemed offended and said loudly, "No, I want the URL." He went on, "If I enter it on a search bar, Microsoft will know what I'm searching and I don't want them to. This phone call is already being broadcast throughout the world on the world wide web and they are spying on us right now." I said "I did not know it was such an important issue" and started giving him the long URL. We kept talking over each other and I was getting upset.

At work, we use the Military alphabet to distinguish between the letters B, C, D, E, G, T, V, and Z. They sound so similar that you have to say Bravo, Charlie, etc. When I was giving the URL to this guy, he laughed everytime I used a set of words. After I was finished, he said, "I make the equipment that those call signs are used on every day" and started doing all these weird military calls. He kept talking and said he was a member of a group called the "Rainbow Family" and have me this internet address, telling me I should go there.

He kept talking and talking until finally, I told him that I personally was not interested in what he was saying and told him I would include the internet address in my case notes. He then apologized for being in a bad mood, but said that if people were out to get me, I'd feel the same way. He said that being a military man, he's mad that the our government is using communication devices to kill American troops in Iraq and he wanted to stop it. I asked if I could help him with anything else, and when he said no, I ended the call.

Normally, I enjoy these calls but I had Brittney pick up Wendy's food for me since I hadn't had lunch. I was supposed to walk outside and get it from her, but I was on the phone with the weird guy and couldn't get off.

I'll write about more interesting calls as I get them. I wish I'd kept a journal of all the weird ones because I've had my share.