KPN Telecom is stupid
Last June, we called our phone company (KPN Telecom), to ask for termination of our phone line subscription as per 7 September and for the last bills to be sent to Willemijn’s parents. And then, on 7 September, our phone went dead. Nothing out of the ordinary, right?
Surprisingly enough, KPN sent us a bill (our last? I won’t hold my breath) to our old address, asking us kindly to pay our subscription fee for October to November. Some googling presented me with a customer service number that was accessible from New Zealand, which I promptly dialed:
kpn: [mind-numbingly bad muzak, interspersed with “our call is very important to you” messages, for about five minutes]
kpn: Good afternoon KPN customer service, how may I help you?
me: Hi there, how are you? I’m Gert from New Zealand and I have a question about my phone bill.
kpn: Sure, please state your 10-digit mobile number?
me: eh, mobile number? It’s about my former landline.
kpn: Ah, well I’m afraid you have to call the other line sir, this is just for mobile customers
me: Ok, but I’m calling from New Zealand and this is the only accessible phone number I could find on the Internet.
kpn: I see sir. I’m afraid you really have to call the 0900 number.
me: Well, how is that possible, I’m in New Zealand after all, I can’t connect to that 0900 number from here
kpn: You’re right sir, it’s only possible to call the 0900 number from within the Netherlands.
me: … That’s hardly fair is it? You can send me erroneous bills, but I can’t call you to set it straight?
kpn: You wouldn’t happen to be in the Netherlands anytime soon, would you?
me: Well, this situation isn’t really making me want to go back, is it? What do you think? I’m 19.000km away.
kpn: Very well sir, I’m afraid I have to conclude it’s not possible for you to contact us about the bill we sent you.
me: ?????
kpn: I have an idea sir: Ask a friend or relative in the Netherlands to call on your behalf.
kpn: Well, actually, since you have to enquire about phone bills in person, ask your friend to pretend he is you. They won’t help him, erm, you, otherwise.
me: [rolling on the floor laughing]
me:Are you serious? Are you really suggesting that I ask a friend to call and lie about his identity, all because KPN - who sent me this stupid bill - doesn’t have a contact number accessible from other countries?
kpn: Well, errm… I don’t see any other way….
me: Right. Thanks anyway for this nice conversation, I’m blogging this!
kpn: Have a nice day sir… [click]
