At my age (72) I have always been used to being able to speak to a customer service department if I had problems with a product. However I have come to realise that no manufacturer or retailer actually wants to help a consumer/customer these days. They do everything they can to re-direct you around the internet (its called "progress" so I am told ????????????) in the hope that they can frustrate you enough to the point that you give up. I have also tried to find addresses so as to be able to write, (a dying form of communication) to ask questions or even complain. That is very often a futile exercise as well.
I did some while back have major problems with one of the biggest household banking names over them insisting that "Debit Cards" could only be used if you were a Smartphone user. You had apparently to receive an authorisation number via a Smartphone, as there was no other method of technology working in this case. Not being acceptable to me I decided to take the bank on over the matter. Many many phone calls and periods of waiting in phone queues, writing letters etc I ended up in touch with the financial ombudsman department. Surprise, surprise, they eventually decided that the technology attitude of the bank in question (and other banks) was not acceptable in the case of customers who did not have and did not want to use Smartphones. They instructed the bank in question that they must resolve the situation in my and other customers favour. The banks answer to the situation was to offer to pay for a Smartphone for me. I did not accept this approach and it went back to Financial Ombudsman.
In an attempt to shorten this story.
After many months of complaining once per week by letter. SURPRISE ..... the bank found an alternative method of issuing "Authority Numbers". They issued a form of technology that they had used for years to gain access to their (my) Current Accounts On Line. The old fashioned New Technology of "Key Cards" that they had been using for Current Accounts On Line, but a slightly larger and thicker version of it.
It works well and by the way the bank in question compensated me for my problem and time in complaining. They paid into my current account a (no fault admitted) gift to the sum of £80.
I consider that a success for the non technologically educated oldie that I am.
Thanks for reading and my "Rant" is now finished.
Best Wishes and Regards, John