Goofing Up and Ungoofing

If you’ve lived fifty-five, or even seventy-seven years or more, you probably are aware how easy it is to goof up and how tough it is to ungoof (my spell-checker didn’t know that word but it works). Put a scratch on your dining room table and try to rub it out. Say a nasty word about your grandkid’s behavior and then try to wiggle out of having said it. Or, purchase something on Online and try to get your money back. Or sign up for an account and then change your mind during the trial period and see what happens.

We live in a complicated age in some ways for seniors (over-the-hillers) who try to cope with automation and hi-tech, outsourcing and the like. Life progresses, moves quite rapidly from newfangled to obsolete, often leaving seniors in the dust. Sure life is easier (sometimes) but at times I yearn for the good ol’ days day when we could tune our car engines and fix ‘em with some baling wire and a good screwdriver. And speak to a live Customer Support person.

I could go on but you get the idea. During the past few weeks, I have encountered a few problems thanks to modern technology. I’ll let you in on a couple of them which may ring a bell with you as well. Several times recently I have had the distinct pleasure of trying to talk to a real live human being on the telephone with no luck. Herein lies my frustrating Senior Moment.

Over a year ago we moved 2,000 miles. I had a prepaid email program which apparently didn’t update the email address change I sent them. I emailed the company (located in South Africa I discovered) with notice that I was not getting what I paid for. Unfortunately, I had agreed to an automatic renewal plan (only $12 but then . . .) with an organization that pays bill for you via your credit card. After several attempts to make contact with both companies (email, phone), nothing has happened. When trying to call, my phone was blocked because I didn’t have an access number (which was never issued). So, two down, more to go. No resolution yet.

I ordered Online a magazine subscription for our daughter’s birthday. Seemingly it didn’t go through (apparent computer glitch) so I tried a second time. Similar experience. Then my wife called in an order. Soon, my daughter notified me that she was billed (she was a previous subscriber 5 years ago) for the new magazine subscription. I emailed customer support and got an automated response that I would hear from them within 2 working days. That was ten days ago. Meanwhile, my daughter received a questionnaire on how she liked the service. She sent it to me to respond as I had negotiated it in the first place. Finally, I got a live person and hopefully it is settled (one subscription, not 2 or 3).

It took months to close our bank account after we moved out-of-state where our previous bank was inoperative. After several pieces of correspondence, a live person at our previous bank (no 800 number), not its headquarters, closed our account and canceled charges that had occurred. But we still get monthly statements. A similar thing happened with a utility bill which was in error but kept showing up on our bill. After two letters and emailing customer service (with no response), I finally got a real live person who could and would (that’s so important nowadays) handle the situation and correct the error.

If you’re aging like me, certain propensities begin to emerge. Our sharp edges begin to dull, our resignation stymies intensity, our yearning for a good fight fades as we realize it is easier to goof and goof off than ungoof our predicaments. Since it benefits those who hope we’ll simply go away when they are at fault, maybe we seniors should strengthen our ungoofability a little?