« 10 positive things in my life right now . . . | Home | hi . . . »
when you think “imbecile” . . .
By Lesle | June 24, 2008
do ya think of Greyhound? I do now.
The kids and I took the bus to Dallas last Thursday. The actual bus ride was okay, but dealing with the ticketing agents is ludicrous. They must hire only the terminally stoopid. I swear.
This is what happened . . .
Last Monday, June 16, I called Greyhound to purchase tickets. I would have done it online, but that system kept charging me for 2 adults/2 kids instead of 1 adult/3 kids. So I talk to a dude on the phone and tell him I need:
4 round trip tickets from Houston to Dallas
1 adult/3 kids
Leaving Thursday, June 19
Returning Sunday, June 29
PLUS
2 one way tickets from Dallas to Houston
2 adults
Leaving Sunday, June 29
blah, blah, blah, no you spell my name blah, blah, blah, how much?, blah, blah, blah, really?! that’s the total cost?, blah, blah, blah, can I get my confirmation number
:screeching halt:
I asked for my confirmation number, and the dweeb told me I didn’t need one. Helloooooo, yes, I need a confirmation number. “I’m sorry, Greyhound doesn’t give confirmation numbers.” Excuse moi? I think you will find that they do indeed give confirmation numbers for ticket purchases, please talk to your supervisor about that, I’ll hold.
That should have been my first clue.
So he comes back, asks for my credit card info again, waits for something to process and then he gives me my confirmation number.
I will need my confirmation number and a valid ID to pick up my tickets. Good deal. I’m all set.
So Thursday after work, my mom and the kids pick me up and we head over to the bus station. Where I quickly learn the lesson that there is no need to purchase tickets in advance, because you still have to stand in line to pick them up.
It’s finally my turn at the desk, I give them my valid ID and confirmation number only to have them tell me, “I’m sorry. This ID does not match this confirmation number.”
I spelled my name at least 5 times to the fellow on the phone, and the idiot still couldn’t get it right.
PLUS
The confirmation number is for:
3 one way tickets from Dallas to Houston
1 adult/2 kids
Leaving Sunday, June 29
Me: That is TOTALLY wrong. What can I do? I’ve paid for tickets, and I need to get to Dallas.
Agent: I can’t see any more information at my terminal, you’ll need to call the 800 number.
:minutes ticking away:
800: I’m sorry, that name doesn’t match the confirmation number you gave me.
Me: I’m already aware of that, the agent who sold me the tickets originally, completely messed up my order. But I purchased tickets and I need to get to Dallas tonight, so how can you help me?
800: It says that you are not supposed to travel until June 29.
Me: The agent I bought my tickets from mess . . .
800: I cannot hear you, there is too much background noise.
Me: THE AGENT I BOUGHT MY TICKETS FROM MESSED UP MY ORDER, COMPLETELY MESSED IT UP. BUT I PAID FOR TICKETS, AND I’M AT THE STATION WITH MY THREE YOUNG CHILDREN, I NEED TO GET TO DALLAS TONIGHT. CAN YOU HELP ME?
800: You don’t need to use that language with me.
Me: What language?! You said you couldn’t hear me?! I’m speaking louder!
800: Ma’am, it appears that you will need to pay another fee because you have missed your bus.
Me: Excuse me? You told me the tickets are for the 29th, how could I have missed that bus?!
800: The bus has already left. And since you have missed it you will need to pay a fee.
:looking out window staring at bus scheduled to go to Dallas:
Me: I’m sorry. I’m in Houston. It’s 6:00PM, the bus is schedule to leave at 6:45PM. How could I have missed the bus? What universe are you in?
Me: You know what, you can’t help me I need to get to Dallas tonight, I’ll deal with 800 Greyhound later.
Me: They can’t help me, can you please just sell me tickets? Can I still make that bus?
Agent: I believe you can, there doesn’t look like too many people in line.
Bus Driver: That is my bus. I will not leave you behind. To Agent: Can you just print her tickets for me.
Agent: That’s the problem. They messed up her order, there are no tickets.
Bus Driver: That okay. I’ll take you anyway.
The bus driver very graciously allowed us to ride his bus with no printed tickets. He was very accommodating and quite pleasant until he asked why I didn’t speak Spanish.
Anyway, I called Greyhound today to sort out the issue, because I still need to get my kids home from Dallas this weekend. Another stoopid agent assisted me. I’ve noticed that stupid people are easily flustered. And it doesn’t matter how old they are, if they become irritated, they start acting like ridiculous, disrespectful teenagers.
Bottom line is, the price was so inexpensive because the original agent left off half my order. But on top of that, he got the dates wrong, the times wrong, and the to/from cities wrong. Now that’s what ya call incompetence!
Greyhound should be so proud. Not.
L
Topics: This and That, Travel |
June 24th, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Oh man. I am so proud of you for not killing anyone. I am sure I would have. I do hope you are writing/calling the President of the company….
June 24th, 2008 at 10:25 pm
Goooood laaaawrd! i had no idea, what a freakin pain!! And what an awesome bus driver!!! I hate dealing with stupid people, they are even worse then dealing with mean people, but they both SUCK!
June 25th, 2008 at 1:51 am
Note to self… don’t use Grey Hound when in USA…
Bless that bus driver though!!!
June 25th, 2008 at 11:09 am
Wow - yeah, I think I’ll be renting a car when I come to TX!!!
June 25th, 2008 at 9:44 pm
OMG, how did you not strangle someone. Luckily the bus driver was johnny on the spot, was up w/ the spanish?
June 26th, 2008 at 8:57 am
I would be furious!! And I bet the bus driver was nice because he was in love with your hair!! Or he saw you get your cell phone out. lol
June 26th, 2008 at 12:47 pm
I am proud of you for not reaching across the counter and opening a can of whoop a** on that idiot.
June 28th, 2008 at 3:51 am
I feel your pain. They have to be affiliated with AT&T Cingular Wireless. I’m sure of it.
Just sayin.