New cell phone rules?

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

I think that cell phone sales staff should be on call 24x7 any time they upgrade phones for individuals that are septuagenarians or older to answer questions about how to use the new device. This way family members in other time zones don't get questions on how to use a phone that they have never seen.

 

Background

 

This evening I received a phone call from my out-of-state, over 70-year-old mother. She had purchased a cell phone over the weekend and her 17-year-old grandson (my nephew) had taught her how to send text messages. Now she was in a panic because it wouldn't do anything; no texting, couldn't dial, and if she tried to call it from her home phone it went straight to voice mail. She indicated that she had spent 4 hours reading the manual and nothing seemed to make it work.

 

I asked her if it was charged, and she indicated that if she attached the charger it showed four bars. I asked what was on the screen, and she said nothing, it won't do anything. I asked if it was turned on, and she said yes. I asked her to turn it off. Said indicated that she needed to refer to the manual to figure out how to do that. After waiting a minute, she figured out she needed to press and hold the power button.

 

After doing so, she indicated that the screen was now showing "Verizon." I had to tell her that it was now on and try to send me text message. She was now able to do so.

 

The joys of the technology age!

[KMEM]

Just wait. One day, if you are lucky, you will be over 70 and in need. BTW, who do YOU call now when technology gets the best of you?

 

Best regards,

KMEM

[+ deej]

I think that cell phone sales staff should be on call 24x7 any time they upgrade phones for individuals that are septuagenarians or older to answer questions about how to use the new device. This way family members in other time zones don't get questions on how to use a phone that they have never seen.

 

No, they'll still call you. Your mom will still call. Your crazy uncle will still call. That bitch sister who pays a high school kid $45/hour to keep the computers that run her clinic going but still calls you for free help in the middle of the night will still call. (Oh, wait, did I say that out loud? No? OK, then...)

 

They'll still call you because they know you'll answer.

[justaguy]

A couple of months ago my parents got an upgrade to their TV, now an entertainment system. It was a gift from one of my siblings. I ended up writing out a step by step set of directions on how to use the remote controls. They're still using it.

 

Deej, your avatar says it all.

[rvwnsd]

No, they'll still call you. Your mom will still call...

 

They'll still call you because they know you'll answer.

 

More than that, mom will call because 1) she is embarrassed to admit to the salesman that she doesn't remember how to operate the phone and 2) she loves you and knows that her son can and will make everything okay.

 

Now call your mom and tell her how much you love her while you have the opportunity to do so.

[+ Charlie]

My partner (75) is forever asking me for help because he can't turn on his computer, open his email, reply to his email, switch between his tv and DVD player, turn on/off/charge/make calls with his cellphone, make his iPod work, make his camera work, load photos from the camera to the computer, etc., etc. Of course, I don't know how to do many of these things myself--I don't have an iPod or DVD, have a PC rather than his iMac, have a different kind of camera--and when I try to read the directions for these machines, I often can't follow them. I have to depend on logic and instinct, and just hope I don't screw things up even more.

[gp0560]

On the other hand, a partner's technical ineptitude is a blessing to those of us flying beneath the radar (so to speak). Mine, for example, is unwilling to press the email SEND key without help.

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

A couple of months ago my parents got an upgrade to their TV, now an entertainment system. It was a gift from one of my siblings. I ended up writing out a step by step set of directions on how to use the remote controls.

 

This is the very reason my sister and I decided that giving her a trip to visit her sister in the west coast was a better birthday gift than a new television.

[rocky]

I'm back, well first for those of you who are "harassed" by your elderly mom, dad, etc; I'd be happy to be

so having my parents not be with me for years. On the other hand I bring this up again; wow what has

happened with this website. I looked forward to quesstions on sex issues, places to go, help me

with this situation, etc; not happening here any more. I know the gay sex capades have left

Key West and Provnicetown but I had hoped for some familyhood here.

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

I'm back, well first for those of you who are "harassed" by your elderly mom, dad,

 

Welcome back Rocky. My apologies for giving the impress that I felt "harassed." The point I was trying to make was two-fold (a) sales people not taking the time to make sure they have a satisfied, rather than frustrated customer and (b) amusement at Mom's situation.

[+ sam.fitzpatrick]

BTW, who do YOU call now when technology gets the best of you?

 

KMEM - at work, I call tech support because it is obviously going to be server or intranet issue impacting others as well. (Never something just impacting me)

 

At home, my ego is too big to call for help - - I just head to Best Buy for the replacement.

[Lookin]

I looked forward to quesstions on sex issues, places to go, help me with this situation, etc;

 

You're right. Now, could somebody help me program the remote for this butt plug before my date gets here? http://www.maleescortreview.com/forum/public/style_emoticons/default/rolleyes.gif

 

http://content.adameve.com/images/products/A/a585_1027210-medlrg.jpg

[justaguy]

Lookin, thanks for the morning laugh. That was funny!