Photo Ready

As full-fledged members of the Silicon Valley, Jon and I have numerous cameras. Our iPhones take quick clicks and we each have a decent point and shoot. But neither cell phones nor point and shoots do fabulous things for more focused or specific targets. Given how active the twins are currently – I am betting they’re not going to be the type to sit still for photo ops. (They already hate the ultrasound sessions.)

So we took the plunge. Jon ordered a Nikon D3000 SLR camera. Neither of us has any experience with operating such “fancy” cameras. But, since the world has ordered the boys to remain baking for several more months, we will thankfully take that extra time to figure it out.

The first step in this practice process requires obtaining said camera. In addition to the camera, we ordered an extra zoom lens and a memory card capable of processing multiple pictures quicker with a faster shutter speed. (Don’t I sound like I know what I’m talking about?) Problem – we got a note saying the zoom lens was backordered and they’d ship everything together.

Jon undertook the task of trying to contact customer support. Please enjoy the transcript below. (Names have been changed to protect the customer service culprit until they really annoy me.)

**********

Please wait while we find an agent to assist you…

All agents are currently busy. Please stand by.

An agent will be with you in a moment. Thank you for your patience.

The next available Agent will be with you in a moment.

All agents are currently busy. Please stand by.

An agent will be with you in a moment. Thank you for your patience.

The next available Agent will be with you in a moment.

All agents are currently busy. Please stand by.

An agent will be with you in a moment. Thank you for your patience.

The next available Agent will be with you in a moment.

All agents are currently busy. Please stand by.

An agent will be with you in a moment. Thank you for your patience.

The next available Agent will be with you in a moment.

All agents are currently busy. Please stand by.

An agent will be with you in a moment. Thank you for your patience.

The next available Agent will be with you in a moment.

All agents are currently busy. Please stand by.

You have been connected to [CUSTOMERSERVICE1].

[CUSTOMERSERVICE2] has entered the session.

[CUSTOMERSERVICE1 has left the session.

CS2: Hello Jon. Welcome to [CAMERASTORE]. I will be glad to assist you.

Jon: Hello?

CS2: May I have the order number?

Jon: Yes, 1234567

CS2: Thank you for providing the order number.

Jon: When i ordered i did not know it was going to be backordered

CS2: Please stay online while I check the order.

Jon: i’m wondering how long the backorder is?

CS2: Thank you for staying online.

CS2: The Nikon 55-200mm lens is currently on backorder.

CS2: The Nikon D3000 and 18-55mm lens are in stock.

CS2: We are expecting the lens to be back in stock at the earliest.

Jon: Yes i saw that, but i also saw that you won’t ship one without the other

Jon: When?

CS2: I can make necessary changes to the order so that the in-stock items are shipped at the earliest and the backordered lens will be shipped once it is back in stock.

Jon: excellent that’d be great

CS2: Shall I go ahead and make the necessary changes to ship the in-stock item first?

Jon: yes please do, when do you expect the lens to be in stock?

CS2: We expect the lens to be back in stock in the next week.

Jon: ok great, as long as there won’t be an extra shipping charge, i’d like to get the camera ASAP and then ship the lens when it becomes available

CS2: The 8GB memory card has already been shipped on 5/05/10.

Jon: ok

CS2: The other items will be shipped shortly.

Jon: Meaning the camera will likely go out tomorrow and the lens sometime next week?

CS2: Would you like to purchase one of our Expanded Service Policy (ESP)?

CS2: We offer 1-year ESP and 2-year ESP plans.

Jon: no thank you

CS2: Yes, the in-stock items will be shipped tomorrow.

CS2: I can offer 50% discount on the Expanded Service Policy (ESP).

CS2: The ESP will provide your camera with coverage from almost every possible occurrence (except fire and theft) while you are using it.

Jon: no i’m good without it, but thank you.

CS2: You are welcome.

CS2: Would you like to purchase a camera bag or lens filter for the Nikon D3000 camera?

Jon: No, no more purchases I just wanted to get the shipping issue resolved

CS2: Is there anything else that I may assist you with?

Jon: No, you’ve been very helpful, thank you

CS2: You are welcome.

Jon: Good bye

CS2: Thank you for visiting [CAMERASTORE]. Please feel free to contact us for further assistance.

**********

Anyone else curious if we’ll get the camera before the boys start little league?