"We only suspend the contracts of active duty military service members for a year. It's not a service we provide to their families," said the sales rep with the spiky hair at the Verizon counter. "You know, we want to thank them for their service to their country, but we can't do that for spouses also." His tone conveyed complete disdain for my request and my presence in the store.
"That's interesting," I replied. "Military family members serve their country by supporting their soldiers."
He said he guessed that was true, but they couldn't help me, and then added that they have started cancelling phone lines even for deployed troops when they've suspended their service for longer than a year. It's costing the company too much money to offer them indefinite suspension of service during deployments, he continued to say. I stared at him like he'd suddenly sprouted a giant fungus out of the middle of his forehead, because clearly something was impeding normal brain function for him. His complete lack of manners was unbelievable. Maybe one of his super-hold gel hair spikes had inverted into his cranium...?
When I walked into the store, I had walked in with command sponsorship documentation in hand, my military dependent ID card, and a smile. I left with a lot of angst and unanswered questions. They had only guaranteed my suspension for up to 90 days. They told me I would have to re-process the suspension every 90 days online or via telephone. They didn't even look at my orders or my ID card. They literally didn't care who I was. *facepalm* I happen to know that was all BS, because when I worked as a civilian employee of the DOD, they suspended my service for a year, no questions asked.
I felt more than a little bit of righteous indignation. I tried not to show it on my face, or in my tone of voice, and I refrained from saying what I was actually thinking. But I wondered if Mr. Spiky Hair actually has an idea what it's like to be a military family member. Did he really want to cross a newly-wed military wife who put her husband on a plane after only 5 days of wedded bliss? Who is probably going to get only a few weeks with her husband in Germany before the Army sends him off for a class for two months? Do ya really wanna go there, sir?
Upon reaching home, I called customer service, which I should have done in the first place. The agent answering the phone was friendly, helpful, and apologetic for the manner in which the store sales rep had treated me. She was able to process my request and suspend my service indefinitely from the starting date which I requested, until I notify the company to renew my service. She apologized again for the inconvenience earlier, and wished me a safe and pleasant trip to Germany. She is the only reason the company isn't getting written up to the BBB. I don't know her name, but I'm thankful for the ray of sunshine she left me with, and her genuine compassion. All I really needed was someone to process my request with a friendly attitude. And she provided that. She should train Spiky Hair as her padawan, except I'm pretty sure he's already gone over to the dark side.
In retrospect, I should have just asked him to suspend my service one month for every ounce of hair product he had applied that morning. I would have probably been set. (pun intended)
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