Don Munsch, Editor

We’ve all heard that automated voice before when we call a business or creditor to seek some information.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t get that” comes the reply when the system doesn’t comprehend a human response.

It’s among the contemporary issues consumers have when they need to connect with a business and that business prefers not to let a caller interact with a human. It’s becoming more common to correspond with a machine over the phone or a chatbot online. Ya gotta save on those labor costs to meet the bottom line, I guess.

I recently had my internet and cable television system installed at my home. I ended up doing both separately because I really didn’t know what was required when I called the television service provider. 

My last residence had streaming set up, and the technician visited my home to establish a television service that included internet installation. I was living in a world where I had basic cable before, but the streaming company technician told me, in a tactful way, that streaming was the new cable and that I shouldn’t fight change. 

But I long for the days when the cable tech showed up at my home and had my system set up in less than a half hour or so. Even when I had a satellite system a few years back, the technician visited and put everything together. Easy-peasy. 

Not a cinch, though, was the time a few years back when I had to “program” a remote control for the television - not as simple as it sounds - and that required some assistance from the cable company.

Which brings me to a larger point with tech these days: Now, the consumer often has to do everything himself or herself, or so it seems. Both the cable cable TV company and internet provider sent me kits for installation. Once received, you’re essentially on your own to figure out everything. 

Oh, sure, they sent instructions and you can call or go online for help, but for the internet installation, the technician who visited my home - a visit I had to request - told me I couldn’t have performed the basic installation. The internet provider seemed to think I had the equipment, tools and skills to do this on my own. Later, there was a problem with the internet working - an issue that took two hours to resolve and required a couple of phone calls.

I’m sorry, I just don’t get that. 

But hey, I have television service now, and March Madness and  baseball season are upon us and other sports and entertainment await. Installation headaches are a small price to pay for my First World problems.