| in the late '90s I did phone support for a tiny software audience and I actually spoke with someone who honestly needed to be talked through opening the CD drive and inserting a disc |
Never overestimate people who are scared by technology... Here's a prime example I got when I worked for this little place called Microcenter:
*Ring*
Me: "Microcenter tech support. How may I help you?"
Anon: "I need a new computer. My warranty is still good. Do you have (model x PC, i forget) in stock?"
Me: "In order for us to validate your warranty, we'll need to know what's wrong sir. In most cases we just replace the faulty part. May I ask what isn't working?"
Anon: "Ummm... it's the disk drive. It ate one of my floppy disks and I couldn't get it out, it was too tight."
Me: "Ok, then bring down your PC and we'll swap in a new floppy drive."
Anon: "Well, that sort of isn't the whooole problem now. I really needed to get my disk out, so I microwaved some butter for lubricant and used a butter knife to try and pry it out. Then the whole thing fried... the screen just went black?"
Me: "Melted butter?" (at this point putting him on speaker so everyone can hear and trying really hard not to laugh)
Anon: "Yeah, butter. It's a really good lubricant, it's a trick I learned from Mom. I at least got the disk out eventually, but then that didn't work in the other computer."
Me: "Sir, might I ask what made you think this would not damage your computer?"
Anon:"Well how else am I supposed to get the disk out? The thing was so d4mn3d tight. It's not my fault you people sell me these hunks of $ |-| 1 7 that you need Chinese children's hands to pull out the disks."
Me: "Did you try pressing the button with the sticker above it marked 'eject'?"
*Awkward silence*
Anon: "Well... uh.... that's not the point! The point is I need a new computer now!"
Yeah, this guy was pretty pissed when we wouldn't validate his warranty...
