bernhold@qtp.ufl.edu (David E. Bernholdt) (07/11/89)
While traveling recently in Louisville, Kentucky I needed to make a local phone call from a pay phone, first getting the number from a directory. The COCOT I stopped at first demanded $0.50 to be connected to 411. So I moved on to a South Central Bell payphone I saw a couple of blocks away. They wanted $0.25 to reach 411. (Neither had phonebooks). I spoke to the '0' operator and her supervisor, explaining to both that there were no phonebooks in the booth & that as a consequence I needed to get the number from 411. I was told by both people that their instructions are to ASSUME THAT THE CUSTOMER IS LYING and charge for the call regardless. Their theory is that since So. Cent. Bell once placed phone books there, they will always be there and anyone who stand there in the booth & claim they aren't there is a liar. They offered to connect me to 411 at a charge of $0.55 (it would be operator assisted). I found both of the people I talked to rather rude, and the entire idea of charging for 411 when there are no phonebooks available is (to me) ludicrous. I there anything I could/should have done at the time to complain about this in a way that might make any kind of difference? (I am assuming that it is too late to accomplish anything now.) I also wonder how common this is (charging for 411, not the rudeness)? -- David Bernholdt bernhold@qtp.ufl.edu Quantum Theory Project bernhold@ufpine.bitnet University of Florida Gainesville, FL 32611 904/392 6365