john@zygot.ati.com (John Higdon) (03/03/91)
Some time ago, I recounted the experience of trying to place a call to
Pac*Bell from a COCOT. Pac*Bell's public numbers are of the 811-XXXX
format and are free from Pac*Bell, GTE, and most independent
telephones in California. I ended up talking to a "repair" person at
the COCOT company who after browbeating by me placed the call.
Today when picking up the mail, I discovered that Pac*Bell had
neglected to send some things I had requested so I decided to call on
the spot. The Meridian Ave. branch of the post office has two of the
most vile COCOTs ever seen. They deny everything: cut off the pad on
800 numbers (so you cannot use Sprint), deny 950, deny 811-XXXX, and
you cannot check your voice mail. There is no complaint number posted,
but the card indicates that you can do all of the legally required
things (you can't).
Just for the helluvit, I pushed '0' for the Pac*Bell operator. This is
usually a pointless exercise since the console indicates "COCOT" and
there is nothing he/she can do for you. I said, "I would like to call
811-XXXX." She said, "Thank you", and the number immediately rang.
How about that?
John Higdon | P. O. Box 7648 | +1 408 723 1395
john@zygot.ati.com | San Jose, CA 95150 | M o o !