From the Editor
As we get older, we tend to marvel at all the ways the world has changed. Differences in the systems that we’ve come to know and trust over the years can be unsettling – to say the least.
I feel that way about television. The multitude of streaming options, mixed with on-demand and pay per view overwhelms me. I long for the days when we only had to choose between channels three, six or ten. Nowadays, by the time we pick a show from the one million choices before us, I’m ready for bed!
As my dad got older, he didn’t bother with most forms of technology – with one exception. He loved Alexa, Amazon’s voice-controlled virtual assistant. She could answer questions and most importantly, play music.
My brother set my father up with an Amazon Music premium account so he could hear all his favorite songs. Dad loved it!
As time went by though, a problem arose. The credit card attached to the account had expired. With payment denied, he no longer had access to his favorite Johnny Cash songs. So Dad did what seemed perfectly reasonable; he called Amazon with the new credit card number.
Have you ever tried to call Amazon? Climbing Mount Everest may be an easier feat! Nearly exclusively digital, they direct customers to “chat” online or email, rather than call. After hours on hold and a lot of tele-prompts, my father did finally get a human voice.
Instantly, he was instructed to authorize his account. “Would you like me to email or text you a code?” asked the representative. “Huh!” exclaimed my father. They may as well have been speaking Greek.
“I’m 87 years old, I don’t email or text,” he explained. When she said she couldn’t help him then, he insisted on speaking to the supervisor. This went on and on for about a week. Eventually the supervisor’s supervisor said “Sir, what you really need…is help!”
That’s when he came to me. We authorized this and plugged in codes and eventually got it all figured out. To my mother’s dismay, “Ring of Fire” and all his favorites were once again blaring throughout the house.
Now, a couple months later, I’m having a similar problem; this time with an online holiday return. I go through the process that seems easy enough, but when I think it is nearly complete, my account suddenly freezes. It happens again and again, leaving me baffled as to why. I have to authorize this and that and reset my password, just to get back to square one.
My husband reminds me that this is yet another reason why buying locally from actual people is the way to go. I have to agree.
Traditional, local shopping from real people offers a solution that resonates with many (including me) who find themselves frustrated by the impersonal and often convoluted nature of online transactions. That initial temptation to click a screen for the convenience factor is certainly outweighed when the need arises for any form of customer service.
Additionally, shopping and dining locally boost our community in many ways. It keeps our dollars in the area that we love and call home, supporting our friends and neighbors, rather than a huge company based far away.
As you page through this issue of Shore Local, please take note of the advertisers featured throughout. They are the shops, restaurants and service providers that make up the fabric of our community. Their support makes this publication possible so please show them your support and love. And don’t forget to tell them that you saw them in Shore Local!
Your opinion is important to us. Please email shorelocalnews@gmail.com or call (609) 705- 5323 with your story ideas, opinions and feedback. We promise a human will answer with no tele-prompts or demands to “chat” online.
Wishing you and yours a fabulous week and start to this new month.
Peace & Love,
Cindy
