Rant.

"CAR_IS_MI" (car-is-mi) 04/14/2014 at 16:15 • Filed to: None

2

51

Why is it so hard for people to understand the difference between the company name and the product name. Do you go to WalMart and say "I need to buy a WalMart"? or pull into a Shell station and proclaim"I need 10 gallons of Shell"? So why is it when I ask what product you are calling about you tell me its the name of the company, then I tell you, no thats the company name, what product are you calling about; why the fuck do you repeat yourself? You have two ears I have one mouth, listen to what the fuck I am saying.

/Rant

For Sweden > CAR_IS_MI 04/14/2014 at 16:17

1

Context needed

MonkeePuzzle > CAR_IS_MI 04/14/2014 at 16:19

0

what was the product in question?

jkm7680 > CAR_IS_MI 04/14/2014 at 16:19

3

"I need to get a Mcdonald"

-Jkm's Coworker

lone_liberal > CAR_IS_MI 04/14/2014 at 16:19

1

Unless it's some standard industry thing like Romex being the shorthand for house wiring, it's asinine.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > CAR_IS_MI 04/14/2014 at 16:20

0

Well that's only kind of fair... I don't know many who listen to a phone call with both ears.

ddavidn > CAR_IS_MI 04/14/2014 at 16:20

1

I hate it when this happens. It can be very confusing in the world of software and websites.

CAR_IS_MI > For Sweden 04/14/2014 at 16:20

0

I have to deal with stupid people far too often whom can't decipher the difference between their head and their ass as they are essentially one in the same.

All Motor Is Best Motor > For Sweden 04/14/2014 at 16:23

0

I'm guessing it might be something like:

Customer: "Hi, I'm calling about that Sony you guys have on sale in your ad"

Employee: "Can you be a little more specific? Which product are you referring to?"

Customer: "The Sony. I saw it in your ad."

Employee:

f86sabre > CAR_IS_MI 04/14/2014 at 16:24

1

How about a spec vs a part number. I hate having those conversation.

CAR_IS_MI > lone_liberal 04/14/2014 at 16:25

0

Nope, I mean it's remotely close to A product sold, but nothing close to 95% of the other products, which are usually the products being called on.

For Sweden > CAR_IS_MI 04/14/2014 at 16:25

0

That provides no context. What is the product and what is the company name?

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > CAR_IS_MI 04/14/2014 at 16:25

0

I'm a cold-calling salesman. Being that people hate salesmen, I always lead with the function of the product. As in "So what are you doing for backup and recovery?" and then launch into the product.

CAR_IS_MI > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 04/14/2014 at 16:26

0

You sir, have a good point. I tip my hat to you.

Jeff-God-of-Biscuits > CAR_IS_MI 04/14/2014 at 16:26

2

Would you mind if I Xerox this?

Frank Grimes > CAR_IS_MI 04/14/2014 at 16:27

0

I will be sure to read this drinkin a coke.

505Turbeaux > CAR_IS_MI 04/14/2014 at 16:27

1

I dont know, if you dont specify your bourbon you could be in the shit when someone pours from the well

CAR_IS_MI > ddavidn 04/14/2014 at 16:27

0

Not calling things what they are is a pet peeve of mine especially after working in technical support. You tell me "X" is not working so I try trouble shooting "X" for you and what you really meant was "B"... cmon.

CAR_IS_MI > f86sabre 04/14/2014 at 16:29

1

I get that with boost reference sensors all the time "Yea I need to order a 0v dash 14.7 5v dash 50". Sir thats a voltage table.

jariten1781 > CAR_IS_MI 04/14/2014 at 16:30

1

I dun know...depends one what you're talking about. A kleenex, scotch tape, a sharpie, etc. are all pretty common.

CAR_IS_MI > For Sweden 04/14/2014 at 16:30

0

Redacted for anonymity but it is in the automotive and motorcycle aftermarket performance industry.

ddavidn > CAR_IS_MI 04/14/2014 at 16:31

1

Yeah, I know what you mean. When I worked in managed support services, my boss was worse than half of the customers :(

RazoE > CAR_IS_MI 04/14/2014 at 16:31

2

It's okay dude. We're here to help you. Would you like a kleenex to wipe your tears..?

CAR_IS_MI > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather 04/14/2014 at 16:33

0

But I am the flip side of this, as in, the customer called you and said I have an issue with my backup and recovery (presuming you had different software or levels available). So you then respond, which backup and recovery do you have, and they say, its backup and recovery. okay but is it B&R 1, B&R 2, B&R 3.9??? No just backup and recovery.

CAR_IS_MI > Jeff-God-of-Biscuits 04/14/2014 at 16:34

1

YES, Just make a fucking copy!

D > CAR_IS_MI 04/14/2014 at 16:34

0

does anyone actually say they need to buy a WalMart?

CAR_IS_MI > Frank Grimes 04/14/2014 at 16:35

1

Did you say Coke?

CAR_IS_MI > 505Turbeaux 04/14/2014 at 16:36

1

EXACTLY. A gin and tonic could be carbonated Popov (I don't know cheap gin) or Tanquray.

Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs > CAR_IS_MI 04/14/2014 at 16:36

0

On the other hand if your product has become so damn widespread that by referring to the company name people DO know what you mean, you are likely already a millionaire, 700 times over.

Kleenex, Coke, Xerox

user314 > Frank Grimes 04/14/2014 at 16:39

1

You laugh, but in Georgia , every carbonated beverage is a coke.

CAR_IS_MI > jariten1781 04/14/2014 at 16:40

0

I don't work for any of those companies...

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > CAR_IS_MI 04/14/2014 at 16:40

0

Ahh. Gotcha. Yeah that would drive me nuts. Luckily all of our products are very differentiated and with distinct names.

CAR_IS_MI > RazoE 04/14/2014 at 16:41

1

Do you have anything stronger for all the blood shed?

CAR_IS_MI > D 04/14/2014 at 16:41

0

I suppose someone somewhere does.

CAR_IS_MI > Yowen - not necessarily not spaghetti and meatballs 04/14/2014 at 16:42

0

Not a millionaire. Not in these clothes at least.

505Turbeaux > CAR_IS_MI 04/14/2014 at 16:42

0

up here the cheap gin is Poland Spring, really

CAR_IS_MI > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather 04/14/2014 at 16:43

1

So do [most] of ours, and thats the real problem, its not even like their getting close to the mark...

D > CAR_IS_MI 04/14/2014 at 16:43

0

Perhaps K-Mart executives

CAR_IS_MI > 505Turbeaux 04/14/2014 at 16:44

0

It is made from the fresh springs as well...

505Turbeaux > CAR_IS_MI 04/14/2014 at 16:44

1

oh you know it

CAR_IS_MI > D 04/14/2014 at 16:44

0

They would think they can... but they cant.

BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather > CAR_IS_MI 04/14/2014 at 16:46

0

The biggest problem I've found in those situations is that the person calling you is not the person that deals with the stuff as part of their job. Like for me, I've been in a similar situation usually because it was pawned off on a new guy/intern or some sort of administrative assistant.

CAR_IS_MI > BugEyedBimmer - back in the Saddle Dakota Leather 04/14/2014 at 16:51

1

Actually, I only work direct with dealers and installers, so even worse...

Roundbadge > CAR_IS_MI 04/14/2014 at 16:55

2

On a semi-related note...this reminds me of one of my favorite stories from the lumber yard. Two older rural-type gentlemen came in with intent to purchase some sheets of Oriented Strand Board (OSB....pressed chips of wood glued together and cut into 4'x8' sheets, commonly used as sheeting or sub-flooring). The first fellow looks to me and says, "You got any of that...uhh....S O B board?" As I'm used to hearing this, I began to ask how many sheets and what thickness, but his companion cut me off...he looked to the first gentleman and bellowed "IT'S 'O B S', YA DUMB SHIT!"

Probably anyone that's ever worked in the home-improvement retail industry says this was said to someone they knew. I promise, I heard this one first-hand.

wkiernan > CAR_IS_MI 04/14/2014 at 17:03

1

Where I work I often hear people talk about editing some kind of computer document in "Microsoft." "I got a memo in Microsoft, but I can't get it to print. Can you print it for me?" Microsoft what? You either have to guess or ask. When I ask it's usually Microsoft Word, occasionally Microsoft Excel, but never ever Microsoft Visual C++ or Microsoft Bob. Then they're opening other documents in "Adobe," which usually means Acrobat, as my coworkers are not up for using that difficult and obscure product Photoshop.

Roberto G. > CAR_IS_MI 04/14/2014 at 17:13

1

If I well understand, it's like when some end user calls our Service Dept. saying: "Hello, I need help! My frigidaire is not working anymore!" ...and we answer: "Ma'm, you've got the wrong number: we do not service the Frigidaire brand, we do service the refrigerators by Hoover and..." and the woman: "And what did I tell you? ...I told you that my Hoover frigidaire is not working anymore!"...

CAR_IS_MI > wkiernan 04/14/2014 at 17:13

0

That would drive me up a wall. One of our software products is named somewhat close to 'Windows' (and by somewhat I mean it shares 3 letters), I constantly get phone calls about "My windows software is not working" to which I am usually temped to say 'So call Microsoft'.

GTI MkVII > Jeff-God-of-Biscuits 04/14/2014 at 17:16

0

First let me grab a kleenex.

CAR_IS_MI > Roberto G. 04/14/2014 at 17:18

0

Pretty much. I mean they usually get the correct company, although sometimes we get confused old folks who think we are Aflac even though our automated system repeatedly says our company name (not Aflac) and we deal with nothing even remotely similar to insurance. But yes.

Garrett Davis > CAR_IS_MI 04/14/2014 at 18:00

0

"What kind of iPhone is that?"

"I was talking to him on my Bluetooth."

"What kind of Coke do you want?

"Hey, throw on some Levi's and let's go."

"Let's go to Carl's Jr. and get some McNuggets."

E92M3 > CAR_IS_MI 04/14/2014 at 18:34

0

Can I get a coke?

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > CAR_IS_MI 04/15/2014 at 09:55

1

Hahaha, wasn't sure how that one was going to go over...