This may not be the best or the cheapest way, but this is how we record our customer service calls, without ever going to Radio Shack.
consumerist kit
HOWTO: Get Actual Customer Support From Time Warner Cable
By 8.3.06
After three months without internet and numerous failed calls to Time Warner Customer support, Mike happened to overhear a rep mention the term “L3.”
Don’t Buy From an Ebay Scam Bot
By 8.2.06
Savvy Ebay shoppers look at a seller’s satisfaction rating, but it takes more than a glance.
Command Amazon Customer Service To Call You
By 8.1.06
Don’t call us, we’ll… Lifehacker’s got a snazzy tip for quick Amazon customer service. If you can’t find 1-800-201-7575 to call, or you just plum dig the power trip, have them call you. [More]
How Fast Is Your Internet, Really?
By 8.1.06
Are you getting the bit rate you signed up for? Take this quick and easy test and find out. We know its from Speakeasy (which doesn’t have an unbiased interest in showing your speed as slow…) but it’s better than the one by Ookla because you can select a nearby server to do it at.
Cancel Verzion By Moving to Cambodia
By 8.1.06
UPDATE: We don’t mean to say that you should actually lie to your cellphone provider and do this. In the interest of following up on advice we previously posted, which also appeared in Wired, we wanted to see if this worked. So we gave it a shot.
Cancel Your Cellphone By Dying
By 8.1.06
Here’s a tip for quitting your cellphone AND avoiding cancellation fees, straight from the mouth of a former wireless call center rep, Davros.
Complain: Mailing Address for Capital One CEO Richard Fairbank
By 7.31.06
The thrust of the mounting consumer complaints against Capital One may explain the credit card’s fondness for filling their ads with barbarians.
HOWTO: Board Southwest Airlines Faster
By 7.31.06
Southwest Airlines has passengers board in three groups, A, B and C, with A’s going first. Here’s an at-home hack we spotted for if your boarding pass says B or C.
The Art of The Buy: Hide Your Time Wisely
By 7.27.06
In an ideal world, the salesman is a doctor diagnosing your problems and needs and prescribing remedies. But let’s talk about the real world and the need to keep your timeline for buying a secret.
When Credit Is Safer Than Debit
By 7.27.06
Because US law protects you much better when you’re using borrowed money instead of cash, some situations might call for a credit card and some a debit.
So You’ve Decided To Join The Army Just To Cancel Your Cellphone
By 7.27.06
We’ve noted that one “tactic” to leave your cellphone is joining the armed services, and Davros, a former cellphone call rep sent in some rockets red glare to illuminate the particulars.
Executive Customer Support: Finding The Number
By 7.26.06
So, you want to obtain executive level customer support but can’t find their phone number. That’s understandable, most companies don’t want you to. But access to the corporate switchboard can be yours with a little sleuthing.
HOWTO: Complain
By 7.25.06
Every so often, the plane doesn’t leave on time, a wrong part gets shipped or a bank teller sniggers at your hat. If you’re disappointed and want to tell the company, these tips will help your complaint see real results.
Dealing With Abusive Debt Collectors By Phone
By 7.25.06
When debt collectors violate the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act:
