Before you call the cell phone company....

I wrote this on another site I administer while I was working for AT&T. Got a problem with your cell phone? Follow these tips.....

1. First, power cycle your phone. Many issues can be cleared up just by "rebooting" the device.

2. Don't just mash the 0 key when trying to call customer service. When it asks for your phone number, please put it in. This will route you to the proper market/region. I get many calls that I have to transfer because the individual can't follow instructions.

3. Do NOT call from your cell phone if you're having an issue. How am I going to troubleshoot your phone if you're talking on it? I don't know how many calls I get from individuals in their car, on the cell phone, and get their knickers all twisted up because I can't help them. Hello?? McFly!!!

4. When you do call, please do so from a quiet place. I don't know how many calls I've received with the TV blaring in the background, loud music, screaming kids, etc. And if you don't do this, don't get bent out of shape when I ask you to repeat things because I can't hear you because of the background noise.

5. We can't trace your phone if you loose it, we can't remotely retrieve information from your lost phone and transfer it to your new one, we can't give you a credit if you loose your phone and refuse to suspend the line and someone else runs up your bill.

6. Accidents happen, however, we're not going to replace your phone when your kid drops it into the toilet. That's what insurance is for.

7. No, we're not going to discount your phone just because you don't like the one you have, or want the latest and greatest toy. We take a beating on the price of a new phone when you start service. It takes around 2 years for us to recoup that cost, which is why you sign a 2 year commitment.

8. You have a cell phone. It is NOT a #$(*&^#$(*&^ modem! Do not call me ######## and moaning because you aren't getting broadband speeds out in the middle of bloody nowhere. If you're that bloody stupid, please take your device BACK to the store and walk away from the counter.

I could go on and on.. But these are the big ones I saw the most.