As Technology Increases, Standards MUST Change
Today I just found the world’s greatest RMA process (Seagate if you are wondering). It took me absolutely no searching around and I was done in 2 minutes online without talking to anybody and it even printed me a label. I have NEVER seen something go so smoothly, so it got me thinking about all the other things that could be done better but typically aren’t. Things that we just accept as being crappy.
Below is a list of some of the things that could be easilly fixed just by a change of standards. Sorry if it gets a bit long. I will color the sections so you can just read about the ones that might annoy you.
“The Scene” and how they release files: Ok, I have been using torrents for years and have found no other viable option for multiple file distribution. However at this point (assuming you are in a country with good internet) speeds on the internet are SOOO fast that if I download a torrent with an avi file in it and I am impatient I can prioritize the order the pieces download in and watch it while it is downloading.
However if some stupid release group sticks that one avi file into a 30 part rar file; not only can I not watch it but I 1) run the risk that one of the rar files will be corrupt and the file will not extract and 2) I have to waste more space and time extracting those rar files. Then because of that I am VERY unlikely to keep seeding it, since those rar files are only wasting space on my already overcrowded hard drive.
Rars were a fantastic idea back in the late 90’s because it let us download things from websites using our dial-up modems. It WAS a fantastic way to do it. However now, it is totally worthless.
Next, if I download a driver, I want JUST the driver. People who are not computer savvy are not downloading their own drivers anyways, they are just calling their sons and asking them to fix the problem for them.
So if I download a driver for an HP Printer (notoriously aweful / slow driver install with tons of bloat), I want a zip file with JUST the essential driver files and no install file, and no extra software. I want my operating system to be able to just look in the folder and find the needed files and be done with it.
I do mobile pc repair and if I get called out to a customers house for a problem with their HP Printer, I have to advise them that even on their brand new computer it may take up to 2 hours to install their printer due to the retarded detection process and other crappy software that it forces you to install.
HP is not the only one at fault here, ATI and several other companies make lousy install files that are required to make a piece of hardware work.
Slow installs that install into multiple directories and register files all over the place and registry: Look, if I install any of the Adobe CS3 apps on a super fast computer it will still take me FOREVER to install the files. The reason being is they are trying to be “helpful” since you might run multiple adobe programs so it is making a “shared files” directory and then registring the components with windows so it knows that they are there.
This however is NOT helpful. I own over 6TB of hard drives, and while this may not (yet) be the standard, hard drive space is increasing and we no longer need to “share files” between programs.
If you were to make an install file and had every single file required to run the program install itself into one directory, then the program will open and run properly. So what if you install another program that needs the same dll file etc…
Most of the apps I use are “portable” and are kept on my keychain, so that when i go to fix a computer I do not have to install a bunch of crap on other people’s computers just to fix their problems. By centralizing every file that is needed in the program directory, installs would only take seconds and if somebody wanted to take the program with them they could. Ok, so it’s a paid for program and you don’t want them stealing it. No big deal, they paid for it if they move to another computer they will have to type in the license key again.
At the very least you should just change the install menu so that instead of having “typical and custom” installs, it should have “portable, typical and custom”. This way if I want to have all the files shoved in one directory I can do so, and the rest of the ignorant people can install it the way you want them to.
RMA process: As I was saying earlier, Seagate has an amazing process. Somewhere along the lines they must of realized that they didn’t have enough customer service reps to talk to every single person who says their hard drive is broken. Sure, some of those drives are not bad but they give you a 5 year warranty so all you have to do is enter your serial number and it then tells you how long it is under warranty. You click next and it asks you if you want to return the product, and offers you expedited shipping for a fee as well as the option to upgrade your return. Declining any of these your return is free and it instantly spits out a label for you to print out with your return address and the RMA mailing info and then gives you a PDF as an optional read for properly packaging and shipping the item back and advises you that you will get a new drive or else it will be low level formatted.
Wow. It was so simple. I didn’t have to sit on a phone while some guy from India asks me stupid questions about what I have already done. It just says, send it back and we’ll send you a new one.
I recently used Intel’s RMA process as I was told it was simple. Takes awhile to find the part replacement area, but when you do you still have to call in and wait on hold. Then you have to go through 50 some steps that you have probably already done just so they will give you an RMA #. Now they did give me one, however they didn’t give me the address. They said they would email it to me with the instructions etc.. Well I never got that email. So I didn’t have the address to send it to. Now a couple weeks later when I got around to it I called back and got it (by having them fix the email address and re-send me the info again…).
This was rediculous. If my stuff is broken, send me a new one. Don’t even pay somebody to help me troubleshoot it. If it’s not broken, send it back to me. It’s still cheaper and better for your customers than having them sit on hold to talk to somebody who might not know anything beyond the policy manual.
Okay, next since I mentioned being on hold I thought that could change a bit too. No, I am not going to be unrealistic and think I can get away from a long hold. Instead I am going to be MORE realistic and say that if I want to talk to a real person I am willing to wait longer. So all I ask on this is that when I call I am presented with 3 options:
Press 0 to talk to a real person, however be advised that there will be very long hold.
Press 1 to go through our automated troubleshooting service.
Press 2 to leave a message, however be advised that it may take up to 24 hours for your call to be returned.
Press # to repeat your options or * to disconnect.
I actually have a giant blog post already just to help people to talk to a real human being. It gets a lot of traffic because people hate clicking buttons forever.
If we have to be on hold, then let us just sit on hold, and while we are doing it don’t have any interruptions for the music. Don’t care if it’s crappy music or not, just music and no “your call is important to us”.
Then since I have taken the effort to wait on hold for 30 minutes, don’t you DARE disconnect me or dump me to voicemail. I don’t care how bad your queue #’s are for the day. I choose to wait, so let me wait.
Video On Demand. You are just doing it wrong. Look at my website as an example. People want video on demand, and they are willing to pay for it. However it just has to be in a really convenient form.
By this I mean that if I pay one on demand service like ps3 or apple tv to download a movie or a tv show, I want to then be able to copy that tv show onto my hard drive and move it to all the other gadgets I have. To do this the download needs to be in a standard format with no DRM garbage. I want a DivX or an H.264 file to download and I want them to be in a standard avi enclosure.
Music should be in an mp3 format. Yes, better compression like aac has come along since mp3, however it never became a standard and it cannot be played on every device I already own, so i want it in mp3 format.
If you are not going to give people content in these formats, then a good number of those people will pirate the media. It’s not because they want to be “bad people”. It’s because you are so paranoid that if you give them a nice easy to use format, then they will use some other service/player. Or they will turn around and distribute the media they purchased since it doesn’t have protection in it.
Well that’s going to happen no matter what format the media is in. However it’s just like somebody breaking into your car. Not everybody is going to do it, but eventually it’s bound to happen.
I’m sure I will think of more things like this, but for now if I write any more you will loose your attention span and stop reading it.
Firefox 3, Not a beta anymore
Woot, Firefox 3 is out, and not just a shitty beta anymore.
Seems to work quite well and most of the extensions I use still work. Well, the ones that didn’t I “forced” to work with “Mr. Tech’s Local Install” which has a “make compatible” option that removes the version number of the extension and makes everything work.
Well, I will be making a “Pimp Your Firefox” article on here sometime and will go over all the best extensions, but for now just download FF3 and Ad-Block.
Good Times,
How To > Install Shit on Your iPhone
You know I like my tutorials to be short… embarrassingly short in fact. Well this one will take the cake.
To install shit on your iPhone the easy way install newest firmware 1.1.1 at the time of this writing and then go to: http://jailbreakme.com phone.
THAT’S IT. Ok technically you have to click a link at the bottom of the page when you get there, but that’s IT!!!~!!!
Doing this will install an application called Installer on your phone, which will let you install a TON of other applications. I recommend “Sketches” and “Labyrinth” highly.
Explains > British English to Americans
So I was work and had reason to reference some British words… I thought it would be worth posting them to the site because I enjoyed it.
and plural in American English
is roughly "fanciful"
or flowers away from you home.
not the Minister.
to money.
battle in the Crimean War
from Xmas they are all different in Britain
‘boo’
CHECK
be closer
block, or a large house converted to flats
GARTERS
and fried
baby’s CRIB
fine as icing-sugar
to get to know a girl
"see you later"
perhaps with a thatched roof (although the name is stretched nowadays
to encompass almost anything except a flat), may be detached or
terraced
the railway
in pubs, not at all like our baking brown sugar
own garden
schools and is NOT a barracks
one afternoon a week
the number of players)
is BUSY
and selects Premium Bond winners
US
filling
brand of beer it wishes, it is not linked to any specific brewery
in the US a period
also the dialect he speaks
currently running the country
is what you ask for in a shop
inside
shop’
half-pint of beer
three successive balls but it is often to any triple triumph
a cooked item such as eggs or sausages - this is not to be confused
with ‘tea’ or ‘afternoon tea’ which is merely a cup of tea with
a cake or very small sandwich
vacation for the time after term finishes
in America
of a cloak or coat is still the same
1 ton
or rabbits
meat
‘jumper’ is a pinafore dress
at breakfast
kipping on the sofa.")
drive must put on his car
of a team of lawyers or the first violinist in an orchestra but
NOT the conductor as is popular in America
Cavalry
or whatever you wish to say
in
American terms
stalls (booths) in the open air - the right to do so goes back
hundreds of years & the AA book lists them all - so does a
list available from my office
a Gin & French
to an American game
‘cruel’ or ill-tempered
or servants’ lodging (usually 17th or 19th century) and is the
town equivalent of a genuine cottage
hamburger however MINCEMEAT is chopped apples, raisins etc. Which
goes into a mince pie
go down to breakfast
- do NOT confuse with the American ‘English Muffin’ which does
not exist in England.
is calico in England
it must be taken away or consumed ‘off’ the premises
diagnose eye diseases
eyesight, prescribes lenses
turn over)
of Oxford and Cambridge
Christmas entertainment based on a fairy-tale with a lot of modern
singing, dancing and humor - it is not mime
of American pants is trousers
wax or white wax
red not blue
it is cake, pie, ice-cream, custards. British puddings are not
like our custard type "Jell-O" pudding
interest
which cannot be defined in this small space - go an see one
you if you cut in
a native of India
is Veteran Day in America
and often jam and cream
indicate only a temporary absence
seat
of its American meaning)
- roughly like a semester
high
of a ‘waistcoat’
under 3,000 people. In the UK can be a handful of houses with
a church and a pub, or a larger settlement with shops and community
center
the toilet
because so many government offices are located around the road
by older people
How To > Fix COX Internet’s Routing Fuckups
Everyday that you call Cox High Speed Internet, you hear a message that was re-recorded that day saying “as of today [insert day] many customer in Arizona are currently experiencing difficulty getting to many large website, we are aware of the error and our technicians are blah blah blah”. I’m sure it’s in more than AZ that they are recording this message but don’t know how deep the rabbit hole goes.
Now I was pissed at them for a few days because they lied to me and said they hooked up my internet when they really didn’t… when they finally fixed it I was good to go to be able to see all the websites, while my neighbor who is screwed into the same exact cable splitter can’t get to most sites.
So I went and figured out why I am better than everybody else.
I use different DNS. Yep, though I start on their server I jump to different DNS servers than everybody gets when they connect to Cox. I have 2 very different alternates in fact. So all you need to do is hardset your Internet Connection’s DNS to what I use and your problems should be solved.
Primary DNS: 208.67.222.222 (this is from opendns.com you could also use 208.67.220.220)
Alternate DNS: 4.2.2.1 (this and 4.2.2.2 have worked FOREVER)
If you don’t know how to do this then you simply need to open the Network Connections Folder > Right Click on your Network Connection > choose Properties > Highlight (TCP/IP) and choose Properties > Click ‘Use the Following DNS Server Entries’ and enter the numbers.
How To > Create XHTML DivX, QuickTime & Flash Players
Look. I am sick of every people making something, and then making a really sloppy way to use it. If you go to youtube or googlevideo they give you this “embed” code. The Embed tag DOES NOT VALIDATE. I write my code by hand and don’t want it to be sloppy. So when I wrote Rip-Off Theater I didn’t want to have all my players using some clunky Embed crap when there are perfectly good ways to do it using Object instead.
I made the DivX code based on a Quicktime hack I did. Basically I am putting 2 objects on. One for IE and another one for Firefox etc.. To make IE not be stupid you need to use some css to tell it to not display both objects.
I figure If you are reading an article on XHTML I figure you need me to tutor you through the process. You just want the bloody code:
<!-- Start CSS Code -->
<style type="text/css"><br/>/* hides the second object from all versions of IE */<br/>* html object.mov {display: none;}<br/>/* displays the second object in all versions of IE apart from 5 on PC */<br/>* html object.mov/**/ {display: inline;}<br/>/* hides the second object from all versions of IE >= 5.5 */<br/>* html object.mov {display/**/: none;}<br/></style>
<!-- End CSS Code -->
<!-- Start XHTML Divx Web Player -->
<object classid="clsid:67DABFBF-D0AB-41fa-9C46-CC0F21721616" codebase="http://go.divx.com/plugin/DivXBrowserPlugin.cab" height="" width="">
<param name="src" value="">
<param name="custommode" value="Stage6">
<object type="video/divx" data="inserturl" class="stupidie" height="" width="">
<param name="src" value="">
<param name="custommode" value="Stage6">
No video? Get the DivX Web Player for <a href="http://download.divx.com/player/DivXWebPlayerInstaller.exe">Windows</a> or <a href="http://download.divx.com/player/DivXWebPlayer.dmg">Mac</a>
</object>
<!-- End XHTML Divx Web Player -->
<!-- Start XHTML Quicktime -->
<object classid="clsid:02BF25D5-8C17-4B23-BC80-D3488ABDDC6B" codebase="http://www.apple.com/qtactivex/qtplugin.cab" height="" width="">
<param name="src" value="inserturl">
<param name="controller" value="true">
<param name="autoplay" value="true">
<param name="scale" value="tofit">
<object type="video/quicktime" data="inserturl" class="stupidie" height="" width="">
<param name="autoplay" value="true">
<param name="scale" value="tofit">
<param name="controller" value="true">
Sorry, shit happens... download quicktime from apple.com/quicktime
</object>
</object>
<!-- End XHTML Quicktime -->
<!-- Start XHTML Flash -->
<object type="application/x-shockwave-flash" data="inserturl" height="" width="">
<param name="movie" value="inserturl"><param name="FlashVars" value="playerMode=embedded">
</object>
<!-- FYI, that super small flash code works on everything from youtube / swf's / all other movie sites...-->
<!-- End XHTML Flash -->
</object>
UPDATE: 7/29 - Fixed this post. It wasn’t displaying the code and was messing up the rest of the blog. Seems wordpress is stupid and doesn’t by default recognize the “<code>” atribute
How To > Watch iPod Video On TV Without a Dock
So, I have lots of gadgets, but sometimes I can’t rationalize ones that seem like they will go unused. One of these examples would be the video dock for the iPod. Now I was fairly sure I could convert my car player to be able to output to my TV with little effort. In researching this I discovered that all you need to output the video was a CHEAP 1/8″-to-RCA Cable. You can get one of these at Radio Shack or some other electronics store for only a few bucks. I as it tends to be, had one laying around.
Now there is a trick to this. Apple thought they would be all unique and switch the wires around (just like they put their quicktime movies in their images directory and their images in their movies directory…. ). So make sure you plug the wires in exactly like this:
RED Cable - YELLOW Hole
YELLOW Cable - WHITE Hole
WHITE Cable - RED Hole
I didn’t have any trouble with mine, but I have heard that a couple people had to switch their output to PAL to get it to work even on NTSC TV’s. That seems crazy to me, but in case it happens to you try that.
Good Times
How To > Have a Remote Desktop on the iPhone
Ok, this is just damn cool so I needed to share. You can go to: LogMeIn.com and make an account which when configured properly lets you use your iPhone to connect to your home PC! I mean DAMN is it cool.
Simply download/install LogMeIn. Right click system tray icon and open the software. Go to the Preferences > click on Remote Control Settings > Set the default display type to HTML. If you don’t set it to HTML you won’t be able to use on the iPhone since it doesn’t support Java Applets yet.
The advantage of using LogMeIn instead of say VNC (which also works BTW) is that LogMeIn will let you it from any place without install. Where as VNC would only work on your local network.
Currently I am on the full trial which lets you print (honestly, why bother), and also has 256bit SSL which is nice… I will eventually cheap out and use free version. Still very bloody cool.. .and if i am patient enough I could actually browse my own site through my remote desktop since the iPhone doesn’t seem to like my scripts…
NOTE: From fixing computers for so long I can tell you that LogMeIn and any other similar software WILL show up as Spyware on all the popular scans. It does this so that you know somebody has remote access to your PC. If you read the descriptions it will tell you this, however some people freak out when they see it on a spyware list, so just realize that this is NOT spyware. Just be careful who you let have access to it since if you use some crappy password for that site and somebody knows your crappy passwords and then gets in they can control your PC. Common sense is the best weapon.
How To > Get a Direct URL to YouTube’s FLV Files!
Ok so I have had my own method of getting YouTube FLV files before today, but thanks to Google and their wonderful archiving of all things there is now an easier way! A way that could be automated (hint hint). Flash videos are not only sexy, but they come without the ugly YouTube players so you can use your own. It’s so easy you can probably remember how to do it without looking it up!
FLV link for YouTube videos! - http://cache.googlevideo.com/get_video?video_id=
Example YouTube Address - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0kz8MCxq6A
Becomes - http://cache.googlevideo.com/get_video?video_id=t0kz8MCxq6A
What’s the point you ask? Go to Rip-Off Theater > Click Flash > Click *Will it Blend.
Looks about a million times better fullscreen on my site (requires flash 9.028 or higher for fullscreen) than trying to watch all 50+ videos on YouTube’s slow ugly pages, in their little ugly player!
How To > Talk to a Real Person @ Big Companies
I don’t know about you, but I get annoyed talking to a machine. Most of the time I can get by with just pressing 0 after I call. Sometimes it’s more of a pain in the ass since even to talk to a real person you now have to talk to a machine… Well this should make it simpler for you.
| 1-800-FLOWERS.COM | 800-716-4851 | Direct to human. | |
| AAA | 800-222-4357 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| AARP Healthcare | 800-523-5800 | Press 1; at prompt press 4. | |
| AARP MedicareRxPlan | 888-867-5575 | Press 1; hold through message. | |
| AARP Pharmacy Services | 800-289-8849 | Press 1; hold through message. | |
| AARP | 888-687-2277 | Press 0. | |
| ABN AMRO Mortgage | 800-783-8900 | Press #; at prompt press #; at prompt press 0. | |
| Ace Hardware | 866-290-5334 | Press 0. | |
| Adelphia | 888-683-1000 | Press * at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Adobe Systems | 800-833-6687 | At prompt, press 1. | |
| ADT Security Company | 800-238-2727 | Don’t press or say anything. | |
| Advance Auto Parts | 800-314-4243 | Press 0. | |
| Aetna | 800-738-7674 | Say “member”; press *0. | |
| Aetna Rx Home Delivery | 800-227-5720 | Press 0. | |
| AFLAC | 800-992-3522 | Press #; at prompt press #; at prompt press #; at prompt press 3. | |
| AIG | 877-638-4244 | Direct to human. | |
| Air Canada | 888-247-2262 | Press 1; at prompt press 0; at prompt press 0; at prompt press 0. | |
| AirTran Airlines | 800-204-5695 | Press 0. | |
| Alamo | 800-462-5266 | Direct to human. | |
| Alaska Air | 800-252-7522 | Press #. | |
| Alitalia | 800-223-5730 | Press *. | |
| Allmerica Financial | 800-533-7881 | Press 00 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Allstate | 800-255-7828 | Press * at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Allstate Motor Club | 800-869-7997 | Direct to human. | |
| Alltel Wireless | 800-255-8351 | Press 00 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Amazon.com | 800-201-7575 | Don’t press or say anything. | |
| Amazon Visa | 888-247-4080 | Press 00 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| American Airlines | 800-433-7300 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| American Airlines Baggage | 800-535-5225 | Press 7. | |
| American Express | 800-528-4800 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| America Online | 800-827-6364 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Ameriquest Mortage | 888-436-7571 | Don’t press or say anything. | |
| Amtrak | 877-444-4773 | Direct to human. | |
| Apple | 800-275-2273 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| AT&T Business | 800-750-2355 | Press * at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| AT&T | 800-288-2747 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| AT&T Universal Card | 800-423-4343 | Don’t press or say anything. | |
| AT&T Worldnet | 800-400-1447 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Auto Zone | 800-288-6966 | Press 1; at prompt press 2; at prompt press 0. | |
| Avis | 800-230-4898 | Press 2. | |
| Baby Bjorn | 866-424-0200 | Press 2. | |
| Bank Card Svcs. | 800-655-1491 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Bank of America | 877-231-9372 | Direct to human. | |
| Bank of America Credit | 800-732-9194 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Bank of New York | 800-225-5269 | Press ###. | |
| Barclays | 877-523-0478 | Press * at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Barnes & Noble | 800-422-7717 | Direct to human. | |
| Barnes & Noble.com | 800-843-2665 | Press 16. | |
| Bear Stearns | 888-807-6898 | Direct to human. | |
| Bed, Bath & Beyond | 800-462-3966 | Press 4; hold. | |
| Belkin Tech Support | 800-223-5546 | At prompt press 2263; press 1 at each prompt thereafter. | |
| BellSouth | 888-757-6500 | Press *0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Bellsouth FastAccess DSL | 888-321-2375 | Press 1; at prompt press 1; at prompt press 1; at prompt press 1; at prompt press 2, ignoring messages. | |
| Best Buy | 888-237-8289 | Press 2. | |
| Best Buy Card | 800-365-0292 | Press 6 at each prompt, ingnoring recording. | |
| Best Western | 800-780-7234 | Direct to human. | |
| BJ’s Wholesale Club | 800-257-2582 | Press 0#. | |
| Black & Decker | 800-544-6986 | Direct to human. | |
| Blockbuster | 214-854-3000 | Press 22. | |
| Blockbuster Online | 866-692-2789 | Press 11. | |
| Bloomingdales Credit | 800-295-4057 | Direct to human. | |
| Blue Cross and Blue Shield | 877-526-3425 | Say “get associate” at prompt. | |
| BMG Music | 317-692-9200 | Press #. | |
| BMW | 800-831-1117 | Say “customer relations” and then press 1 for “vehicle” or 2 for “motorcycle.” | |
| Boost Mobile | 888-266-7848 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Borders | 888-812-6657 | Press 0. | |
| Bosch Power Tools | 877-267-2499 | Press 100. | |
| Bose | 800-444-2673 | Direct to human. | |
| Briggs & Stratton | 414-259-5262 | Press 0 at prompt. | |
| British Airways | 800-247-9297 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Brother International | 800-284-4329 | Press 7. | |
| Budget Rent a Car | 800-527-0700 | Press 0. | |
| Buick | 800-521-7300 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Buy.com | 800-800-0800 | Don’t press or say anything. | |
| Cabela’s | 800-237-4444 | Direct to human. | |
| Cablevision | 800-868-9840 | Press 1. Then press 0 at each subsequent prompt. | |
| Cadillac | 800-333-4223 | Press 0. | |
| Canon USA | 800-828-4040 | At prompt press *; at prompt press 0. | |
| Capital One | 800-548-4593 | Press 0. | |
| Card Services | 888-363-8001 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Caremark | 800-262-7890 | Press 0. | |
| Carnival Cruise | 800-929-6400 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Casio | 800-706-2534 | Press 3. | |
| Celebrity Cruises | 800-647-2251 | Press 0. | |
| Cellular One | 888-910-9191 | Press 4. | |
| Centers for Disease Control | 800-232-4636 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Centers for Medicare & Medicaid | 800-999-1118 | Press 1000. | |
| Ceridian Benefit Svcs. | 800-877-7994 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Charles Schwab | 800-435-9050 | Press 3, followed by eight digit account number | |
| Charter Communications | 866-472-2200 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Chase Credit Cards | 800-432-3117 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Chase Home Finance | 800-848-9136 | Press #0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| CheapTickets | 800-755-4333 | Don’t press or say anything; when offered customer service say “Yes.” | |
| CheapTrips | 800-211-5119 | Direct to human. | |
| Chevrolet | 800-222-1020 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| ChevronTexaco Credit | 800-243-8766 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Chrysler Financial | 800-700-0738 | Say “agent” at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Chrysler Group | 800-992-1997 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| CIGNA | 800-849-9000 | Press ##. | |
| Cingular Wireless (AT&T) | 800-331-0500 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Cingular Wireless Warranty Dept. | 800-801-1101 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Circuit City | 800-843-2489 | Press 0. | |
| Citibank | 800-756-7047 | Press 0# at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Citi Cards | 800-633-7367 | Don’t press or say anything, ignoring messages. | |
| Citi Simplicity | 866-696-5673 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Citizens Bank | 800-922-9999 | Press 000. | |
| Columbia House DVD | 888-467-7404 | Press 1 for English; then don’t press or say anything, ignoring messages. | |
| Columbia Mutual Funds | 800-345-6611 | Say “representative.” | |
| Comcast | 800-266-2278 | Press * at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Comcast | 800-266-2278 | Press * at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Comfort Inn | 877-424-6423 | Direct to human. | |
| Commerce Bank | 888-751-9000 | Direct to human. | |
| Commonwealth Edison | 800-334-7661 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Compaq | 800-652-6672 | Say “operator” at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Compass Bank | 800-239-5175 | Press 00 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| CompUSA erebates | 888-716-8555 | Press **. | |
| CompUSA | 800-266-7872 | Press 33. | |
| CompuServe | 800-848-8990 | Press 1211. | |
| Computer Associates | 877-694-8509 | Press 2. | |
| Consolidated Edison | 800-752-6633 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Consumers’ Energy Company | 800-477-5050 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Continental Airlines | 800-784-4444 | Press 00 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Costco.com | 800-955-2292 | Press 55. | |
| Costco | 800-220-6000 | Press 55. | |
| Countrywide Loans | 800-669-5864 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| CVS.com | 888-607-4287 | Press 0. | |
| Days Inn | 800-329-7466 | Direct to human. | |
| Dell Financial Services | 800-283-2210 | Press 0; at prompt press 0; at prompt press #; at prompt press #. | |
| Dell Sales | 800-624-9897 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Dell Tech Support | 800-624-9896 | Press 3; say “agent” at each additional prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Delta Airlines | 800-221-1212 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Delta Dental | 888-335-8227 | After language option, press 2 for existing or 3 for new account. | |
| Detroit Edison (DTE) | 800-477-4747 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| DHL Express | 800-225-5345 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Dillard’s | 800-345-5273 | Direct to human. | |
| Diner’s Club | 800-729-5309 | Press 2. | |
| DirecTV | 800-824-9081 | Don’t press or say anything. | |
| Dirt Devil | 800-321-1134 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Discover | 800-347-2683 | Please enter your 16 digital account number | |
| DISH network | 800-333-3474 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Disney Cruise Line | 800-951-3532 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Disneyland Resort | 714-781-4000 | Direct to human. | |
| Disney Shopping | 800-328-0368 | Press 0. | |
| Dodge and Cox | 800-621-3979 | Press 0. | |
| Dodge | 800-992-1997 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Dollar Rent-A-Car | 800-800-4000 | Press 0. | |
| Drugstore.com | 800-378-4786 | Press 2; at prompt press 5. | |
| Earthlink | 888-327-8454 | Press 1; press 0 at each prompt thereafter, ignoring messages. | |
| eBay | 800-322-9266 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Eddie Bauer | 800-426-8020 | Press 1. | |
| Entertainment Weekly | 866-228-1183 | Say “agent.” Say “yes.” | |
| Epson | 800-533-3731 | Direct to human. | |
| Equifax | 866-640-2273 | Press 30 at each prompt, ignoring message. | |
| e*Trade | 800-786-2575 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Eureka Vacuum | 800-438-7352 | Press 17. | |
| Evenflo | 800-233-5921 | Press 4. | |
| Expedia | 800-397-3342 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Experian | 800-493-1058 | Say “yes”; enter report #; enter social security #; say “yes”; say “agent” then “yes” to confirm at prompts thereafter. | |
| Express Scripts | 800-206-4005 | Press 0. | |
| Exxon Mobil Card | 800-344-4355 | Press 000, ignoring message. | |
| Farmer’s Insurance | 800-435-7764 | Do not press or say anything, ignoring messages. | |
| FedEx | 800-463-3339 | Say “representative” at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Fidelity | 800-544-6666 | Ignore prompt for social security number; press ###. | |
| First Nat’l Bank of Omaha | 888-530-3626 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Fisher-Price | 800-432-5437 | Do not press or say anything, ignoring messages. | |
| Florida Power & Light | 800-226-3545 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Ford | 800-392-3673 | Press 0; at prompt press 0; at prompt press 0; at prompt press 1; at prompt press 0. | |
| Ford Interest Advantage | 800-462-2614 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Ford Motor Credit | 800-727-7000 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Four Points by Sheraton | 888-625-5144 | Press 17. | |
| FreeCreditReport.com | 877-481-6825 | Press 51 at prompt. | |
| Frigidaire Parts | 800-599-7569 | Press 3. | |
| FTD | 800-736-3383 | Press 2. | |
| Fujitsu PC Support | 800-385-4878 | Press 00. | |
| Gap Credit Card | 800-887-1198 | Press 000 at each prompt; ignore request for account number. | |
| Gateway Computers | 800-846-2000 | Press 4; say “no” at each additional prompt. | |
| GE Appliances | 800-626-2005 | Press 000. | |
| Geek Squad | 800-433-5778 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| GE Finance CareCredit | 866-893-7864 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| GEICO | 800-841-3000 | At prompt press 6; at prompt press 1; at prompt press 5; at prompt press #. | |
| GE MONEY BANK | 877-317-5544 | Press 1, then don’t press or say anything. | |
| Georgia Power | 888-660-5890 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| GMAC | 800-200-4622 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| GMC | 800-462-8782 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| GM MasterCard | 800-947-1000 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| GoDaddy.com | 480-505-8899 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Goldman Sachs Mutual Funds | 800-762-5035 | Direct to human. | |
| Goodyear Tire | 800-321-2136 | Press 1; at prompt press 5. | |
| Google AdWords | 866-246-6453 | Press 22. | |
| 650-623-4000 | Press 0. | ||
| Graco | 800-345-4109 | Press 0. | |
| Great West Health | 800-663-8081 | Press 1; at prompt press 1; press 4 at each prompt thereafter, ignoring messages. | |
| Greyhound | 800-231-2222 | Press 26. | |
| Hampton Inn | 800-426-7866 | Direct to human. | |
| Harley-Davidson | 414-343-4056 | Press 0. | |
| Hertz | 800-654-3131 | Direct to human. | |
| Hewlett-Packard | 800-474-6836 | Say “agent” at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Hilton HHonors | 800-548-8690 | Press 5 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Hitachi | 800-448-2244 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Holiday Inn | 800-465-4329 | Press 0; at prompt press 0. | |
| Holmes | 800-284-3267 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Home Depot Credit | 800-677-0232 | Press * at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Home Depot | 800-793-3768 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Home Shopping Net | 800-284-3100 | Press 0. | |
| Honda Financial Svcs. | 800-445-1358 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Honda | 800-999-1009 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Honeywell | 800-468-1502 | Press 11900. | |
| Hoover | 800-944-9202 | Press 52. | |
| Hotels.com | 800-346-8357 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring prompts. | |
| Hotwire | 866-468-9473 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Household Bank Credit | 800-771-7339 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| H&R Block Advisors | 866-295-7912 | Press 3; at prompt press 2. | |
| HSBC | 800-477-6000 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Hughesnet | 866-347-3292 | Press 2. | |
| Humana | 800-448-6262 | At prompts say “member,” “pharmacy,” “prescription benefits”; give invalid ID. | |
| Humana Medicare Claims | 800-457-4708 | Press *; at prompt press *; at prompt press 0; at prompt press 0; at prompt press *. | |
| Hyatt Corporation | 888-591-1234 | Direct to human. | |
| IBM | 800-426-4968 | Direct to human. | |
| Ikea | 800-434-4532 | Press 0 quickly and repeatedly. | |
| ING Direct | 800-464-3473 | Direct to human. | |
| Intuit | 800-811-8766 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| JC Penney Catalog | 800-222-6161 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| JC Penny Credit | 800-542-0800 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Jeep | 800-992-1997 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| JetBlue Airways | 800-538-2583 | Press 0. | |
| John Deere | 800-537-8233 | Press 1; at prompt press 4. | |
| John Hancock | 800-732-5543 | Press 2; at prompt press 0. | |
| Johnson & Johnson | 800-526-3967 | Press 0. | |
| JP Morgan Chase | 800-392-5749 | Press 131. | |
| Juno | 888-839-5866 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| JVC America | 800-252-5722 | Press 3. | |
| Kensington Tech Support | 800-535-4242 | Press 11. | |
| KitchenAid | 800-422-1230 | Press 3420. | |
| Kmart | 866-562-7848 | Press 12. | |
| Kodak | 800-235-6325 | Press #. | |
| Kodak Gallery (Ofoto) | 800-360-9098 | Say “agent.” | |
| Kohls Credit | 800-564-5740 | Press # at each prompt, ignorning messages. | |
| Kolcraft | 800-453-7673 | Direct to human. | |
| Lands End | 800-743-9706 | Direct to human. | |
| Le Meridien | 888-625-5144 | Press 13. | |
| Lexmark | 800-539-6275 | Press 1. | |
| Liberty Mutual (Claims) | 800-225-2467 | Press 10. | |
| Lincoln Mercury | 800-521-4140 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Linksys | 800-326-7114 | Press 1; at prompt press ###. | |
| Little Tikes | 800-321-0183 | Press 11. | |
| LL Bean | 800-441-5713 | Direct to human. | |
| Logitech | 702-269-3457 | Press 2000. | |
| Lord & Taylor Credit | 800-223-7440 | Press 2002. | |
| Lowe’s | 800-445-6937 | Press 0. | |
| Lufthansa | 800-399-5838 | Direct to human. | |
| Luxury Collection Hotels | 888-625-5144 | Press 15. | |
| Macy’s Credit | 800-280-4356 | Press 9; press 0 at each prompt thereafter, ignoring messages. | |
| Macy’s | 800-289-6229 | Press 4; press *# at each prompt thereafter. | |
| Magnavox | 800-705-2000 | Select language. Say “agent.” | |
| Mariott Rewards | 800-321-7396 | Press 0. | |
| Marriot International | 800-228-9290 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring prompts. | |
| MasterCard | 800-622-7747 | Press 000 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Mattel | 800-524-8697 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Maytag | 800-462-9824 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Mazda | 800-222-5500 | Press 0. | |
| MBNA | 800-421-2110 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| McAfee | 888-847-8766 | Press #40. | |
| MCI | 888-624-5622 | Press 2 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Medco Insurance | 800-251-7690 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Medco Pharmacy | 800-987-5269 | Say “representative” at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Medicare | 800-633-4227 | Say “agent.” | |
| Mellon Investor | 800-522-6645 | Press #. | |
| Memorex Electronics | 800-919-3647 | Press 333. | |
| Merrill Lynch | 800-637-7455 | Say “Advisor”. | |
| MetLife Bank | 866-226-5638 | Press 000 rapidly and repeatedly, ignoring messages. | |
| MetLife | 800-560-5001 | Press ####. | |
| Metro PCS | 888-863-8768 | Don’t press or say anything, ignoring messages. | |
| Microsoft Tech Support | 800-642-7676 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Midwest Airlines | 800-452-2022 | Press **. | |
| Moneygram | 800-926-9400 | Press 0. | |
| Money Magazine | 800-633-9970 | Don’t press or say anything. | |
| Morgan Stanley | 800-869-3326 | Press 00. | |
| Motel 6 | 800-466-8356 | Direct to human. | |
| Motorola | 800-331-6456 | Press 00. | |
| MSN | 800-386-5550 | Say “agent” at each prompt, until offered a representative; say “yes.” | |
| Napster | 800-839-4210 | Press 33; at prompt press 2; at prompt press 2. | |
| National Car Rental | 800-227-7368 | Direct to human. | |
| Nationwide Insurance Claims | 800-421-3535 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Nautilus (Bowflex) | 800-628-8458 | Press 3; at prompt press 2; at prompt press 4. | |
| NetFlix | 888-638-3549 | Press 0 at each prompt. | |
| Netgear | 888-638-4327 | At prompt press 41. | |
| Netscape | 866-541-8233 | Press 000. | |
| NetZero | 866-841-1442 | Press #### at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Newsweek | 800-631-1040 | Press 0. | |
| New York Times | 800-698-4637 | Press 500. | |
| Nikon Service | 800-645-6687 | Press 4 at prompt. | |
| Nintendo | 800-255-3700 | Press 0. | |
| Nissan Credit (NMAC) | 800-888-2799 | Press * at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Nissan USA | 800-647-7261 | Press #. | |
| Nokia | 888-665-4228 | At prompt press 1; at prompt press 3; at prompt press 1. | |
| Nordstrom | 888-282-6060 | Direct to human. | |
| Northwest Airlines WorldPerks | 800-447-3757 | At prompts say “WorldPerks,” “agent,” “yes,” “agent,” “yes.” | |
| Northwest Airlines | 800-692-6980 | Direct to human. | |
| Northwestern Mutual | 800-388-8123 | Press 0; press 1 to participate or 2 to decline survey. | |
| Norwegian Cruise Line | 866-234-0292 | Don’t press or say anything. | |
| NY Life Benefit Services | 800-294-3575 | Press 0. | |
| NY Life Retirement Svcs. | 800-586-1413 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Office Depot | 888-463-3768 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| OfficeMax | 800-283-7674 | Press 2. | |
| OfficeMax Rebates | 866-765-5702 | Press 2; at prompt press 2; at prompt press 2; enter fake phone #; press 1 to confirm; press 1 to confirm. | |
| Olympus - Digital | 888-553-4448 | Press 5; at prompt press 0. | |
| Omron Healthcare | 877-216-1333 | Don’t press or say anything. | |
| Orbitz | 888-656-4546 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Overstock.com | 800-843-2446 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Pacific Gas & Electric | 800-743-5000 | At prompt say “Operator”; at prompt say “Yes”; at prompt say “Operator”; at prompt say “Yes.” | |
| Palm | 800-881-7256 | Press 1; at prompt press 2; at prompt press 2. | |
| Panasonic | 800-211-7262 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| PayPal Buyer Credit | 866-571-3012 | Say “agent” at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| PayPal | 888-221-1161 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| PC World | 800-234-3498 | Press *; at prompt press 2. | |
| People Magazine | 866-365-1620 | Press 0. | |
| People PC | 800-736-7537 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Pep Boys | 800-737-2697 | Press 33; at prompt press 1; hold through prompts for representative. | |
| PepsiCo | 800-433-2652 | Press 0. | |
| PETCO | 888-824-7257 | Don’t press or say anything. | |
| Philips Electronics | 888-744-5477 | Say “agent.” | |
| Pitney Bowes Equipment | 800-522-0020 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| PNC Bank | 888-762-2265 | Press * at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Poland Spring | 800-950-9396 | Say “representative” at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Polaroid | 800-343-5000 | Press 0. | |
| Pontiac | 800-762-2737 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Pottery Barn | 888-779-5176 | Don’t press or say anything. | |
| Priceline | 800-774-2354 | At prompt press 1; at prompt press 1; at prompt enter phone number #; at prompt enter phone number #; at prompt enter phone number #. | |
| Primerica | 800-544-5445 | Press 0. | |
| Princess Cruise Line | 800-774-6237 | Press 0. | |
| Principal Financial | 800-547-7754 | Enter social security #, then press 0. | |
| Principal Life | 800-247-4695 | Press 1; at prompt press 2; at prompt press 0; at prompt press 0. | |
| Procter & Gamble | 800-331-3774 | Press 1. | |
| Progressive Insurance | 800-776-4737 | Press 000. | |
| Prudential Annuity | 888-778-2888 | Press ** at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Prudential Financial | 800-778-3932 | Direct to human. | |
| Public Service Electric & Gas | 800-436-7734 | Press 0. | |
| Qantas | 800-227-4500 | Press 3; at prompt press 2; hold through message. | |
| QuickBooks | 888-729-1996 | Press 0. | |
| QVC | 800-367-9444 | Press 0. | |
| Qwest | 800-244-1111 | Press 1; say “operator” at all subsequent prompts. | |
| Radio Shack | 800-843-7422 | Press 0; at prompt press 0. | |
| Radisson | 888-201-1718 | Direct to human. | |
| Ramada | 800-828-6644 | Direct to human. | |
| RBS Credit Card | 800-747-8155 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| RCA / Thompson Electronics | 877-794-7977 | Press 2. | |
| RCN | 800-746-4726 | Press 1; at prompt press 3; at prompt press 2; at prompt press 4. | |
| Reader’s Digest | 800-304-2807 | Press 0. | |
| Reliant Energy | 866-222-7100 | Don’t press or say anything. | |
| Rent-A-Center | 800-422-8186 | Press 1. | |
| Rite Aid | 800-748-3243 | Don’t press or say anything. | |
| Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines | 866-562-7625 | Press 0. | |
| Ryder Customer Service | 305-500-3726 | Direct to human. | |
| Ryder Rentals | 800-297-9337 | Don’t press or say anything. | |
| Sallie Mae | 888-272-5543 | Press 00 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Sam’s Club Credit | 800-203-5764 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Sam’s Club | 800-964-1917 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Samsung | 800-726-7864 | Press 2; at prompt press 1; at prompt press 3; at prompt press 3. | |
| Saturn | 800 553-6000 | Press 3. | |
| SBC DSL support | 877-722-3755 | Say “sales”. | |
| Sears Credit Card | 800-917-7700 | Press 0000000; press 0 at subsequent prompts. | |
| Sears Delivery | 800-732-7747 | Press 95111. | |
| Sears | 800-469-4663 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Secure Horizons | 800-228-2144 | Say “prospective member”. | |
| Sharp | 800-237-4277 | Press 1132. | |
| Shell Gasoline Card | 800-490-9119 | Press 0 when prompted for an account number. | |
| Sheraton Hotels | 888-625-5144 | Press 12. | |
| Simple Freedom | 800-335-6401 | Press #0#0. | |
| Sirius | 888 539-7474 | Press 1; at prompt press 0. | |
| Smith Barney Benefitaccess | 888-822-6067 | Press 0. | |
| Sony Ericsson Mobile | 866-766-9374 | Select language. | |
| Sony / Playstation | 800-222-7669 | Say “agent”; at prompt say “agent”; at prompt press 1; at prompt press 1. | |
| Southern CA Edison | 800-655-4555 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Southwest | 800-435-9792 | Direct to human. | |
| Sovereign Bank | 877-768-2265 | Don’t press or say anything. | |
| Spirit Air | 800-772-7117 | Press 00. | |
| Sports Illustrated | 800-284-8800 | Press ###, ignoring messages. | |
| Sprint - Nextel | 800-639-6111 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Sprint Broadband Direct | 888-996-0001 | Press 00. | |
| Sprint Long Distance | 800-877-4646 | Press 000 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Sprint Mobile | 877-349-4413 | Direct to human. | |
| Staples Easy Rebates | 877-266-6483 | Wait for “main menu” then press 0 * *. | |
| Staples | 800-333-3330 | Don’t press or say anything. | |
| Starbucks Coffee | 800-782-7282 | Press 0. | |
| State Farm Auto Insurance | 877-734-2265 | At prompt, say “insurance.” | |
| State Farm Bank | 877-734-2265 | Say “operator” at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| St. Regis Hotels | 888-625-5144 | Press 0. | |
| Student Loan Corp. | 800-967-2400 | Press 5. | |
| Student Loan People | 888-250-6401 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| SunCom | 800-786-7378 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| SUNOCO | 800-278-6626 | Press 00000; mumble when prompted for an account number. | |
| SunTrust | 800-786-8787 | Press # rapidly and repeatedly. | |
| Super 8 | 800-800-8000 | Direct to human. | |
| Symantec | 800-441-7234 | Don’t press or say anything, ignoring prompts. | |
| T-Mobile | 877-537-7389 | Direct to human. | |
| Talk America | 800-291-9699 | Say “Agent”; confirm phone number; say “agent” at each prompt thereafter. | |
| Target Online | 800 591-3869 | Press 1; don’t press or say anything, ignoring messages. | |
| Target | 800 591-3869 | Press 2; don’t press or say anything, ignoring messages. | |
| TD Ameritrade | 800-669-3900 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Tech SupportT-Mobile | 877-369-4588 | Direct to human. | |
| Telecheck | 800-710-9898 | Press 1, 3, * at prompts. | |
| Teleflora | 800-835-3356 | Press 2. | |
| Texas Instruments | 800-842-2737 | Press 0 # and hold. | |
| Textron Financial | 800-388-1826 | Direct to human. | |
| The Company Store | 800-285-3696 | Press 0. | |
| Thrifty Car Rental | 800-331-9111 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| TIAA-CREF | 800-842-2733 | Don’t press or say anything. | |
| Ticketmaster | Local | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Timberland | 888-802-9947 | Press 0. | |
| Time Magazine | 800-843-8463 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Time Warner Cable | Local | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Time Warner Road Runner | 877-318-8333 | Direct to human. | |
| TiVo | 877-367-8486 | Say “Agent” at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| TJ Maxx | 800-926-6299 | Don’t press or say anything. | |
| TomTom | 866-486-6866 | Press 1. | |
| Toshiba | 800-457-7777 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Toyota Financial Svcs. | 800-874-8822 | Select Language option; press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Toyota | 800-331-4331 | Press 6. | |
| Toys ”R” Us | 800-869-7787 | Press 1; at prompt press 2; at prompt press 7; at prompt press 2; hold through requests. | |
| Tracfone | 800-323-2366 | Direct to human. | |
| TransUnion | 800-916-8800 | Press 2 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Travelers Insurance | 800-252-4633 | Don’t press or say anything. | |
| Travelocity | 888-872-8356 | Press ### at prompt. | |
| T. Rowe Price | 800-922-9945 | Say “operator” at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| TrueValue | 773-695-5000 | Press 0 and ask for customer service. | |
| TV Guide | 800-866-1400 | Say “customer service” twice. | |
| TXU Energy | 800-218-7130 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Ubid.com | 800-317-7995 | Hold for representative. | |
| UHAUL | 800-789-3638 | Direct to human. | |
| Union Pacific | 800-877-5123 | Press #. | |
| UnitedHealth | 800-585-6586 | Select type. Say “Representative” three times. | |
| United | 800-864-8331 | Press 0; say “agent,” say “yes”; say “domestic” or “international” as appropriate. | |
| Universal Studios Hollywood | 800-864-8377 | Press 4. | |
| Upromise | 888-434-9111 | Press 0. | |
| UPS (International) | 800-782-7892 | Say “Agent” at prompt. | |
| UPS | 800-742-5877 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| USAA Investment Mgmt | 800-531-8448 | Press 0# at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| USAA | 800-531-6095 | Press 000#; at prompt press #. | |
| US Airways | 800-428-4322 | Press 41. | |
| USA Today | 800-872-0001 | Press 0. | |
| US Bank | 800-872-2657 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| US Bank Visa | 800-285-8585 | Say “operator” at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| U.S. Cellular | 888-944-9400 | Press 0. | |
| US Citizenship & Immigration | 800-375-5283 | Select language; press 2; press 4; at prompt press 0. | |
| US Dept. of Edu - Financial Aid | 800-433-3243 | Select language then press *0. | |
| US Dept. of Edu - Loans | 800-848-0979 | Don’t press or say anything. | |
| US Dept. of State - Passports | 877-487-2778 | Select language and then press 10. | |
| US Dept. of Transportation | 800-832-5660 | Press 000. | |
| US Dept. of Veterans Affairs | 800-827-1000 | Press 10. | |
| US FBI | 202-324-3000 | Direct to human. | |
| US Federal Trade Commission | 877-382-4357 | Press 450 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| US Fish & Wildlife | 800-344-9453 | Press 0. | |
| US Food & Drug Admin | 301-827-4573 | Press 1. | |
| US Homeland Security - FEMA | 800-621-3362 | At first prompt, select language; press 00. | |
| US IRS | 800-829-1040 | Don’t press or say anything. | |
| US Mint | 800-872-6468 | Press 0. | |
| US Postal Service | 800-275-8777 | Press 5 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| US Social Security Admin | 800-772-1213 | Press 1; press 0 at each prompt, until SS# is requested; enter SS#. | |
| Vanguard Funds | 800-662-2739 | Press 0. | |
| Verizon Billing | 888-780-3964 | When prompted for phone number, say “Operator.” Repeat if necessary. | |
| Verizon Business | 888-649-9500 | Say “representative” at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Verizon DSL | 800-567-6789 | Say “agent” at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Verizon FiOS | 888-553-1555 | Say “operator” at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Verizon Fraud | 888-483-7200 | Direct to human. | |
| Verizon (land line) | 800-483-3000 | Don’t press or say anything. | |
| Verizon Repair | 800-275-2355 | Direct to human at times, otherwise press 00. | |
| Verizon Wireless | 800-922-0204 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Victoria’s Secret | 800-411-5116 | Press 0 at each prompt. | |
| Virgin Atlantic | 800-821-5438 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Virginia Electric & Power | 888-667-3000 | Don’t press or say anything. | |
| Virgin Mobile | 888 292 8223 | At prompt say, “English”; at prompt say, “something else”; at each additional prompt say, “live advisor” until mobile number is requested; enter mobile number. | |
| Visa | 800-847-2911 | Press 0 at each prompt; ignoring messages. | |
| Volkswagen | 800-822-8987 | At prompt, press 32; if offered, press 1 to take survey or 2 to decline. | |
| Volvo | 800-458-1552 | Press 0, ignoring messages. | |
| Vonage | 866-243-4357 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Wachovia | 800-922-4684 | Press 00 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Wal-Mart.com | 800-966-6546 | Press * at each prompt, ignoring messges. | |
| Wal-Mart Credit Card | 866-888-3868 | Don’t press or say anything. | |
| Wal-Mart | 800-925-6278 | Press 1433. | |
| Walgreens | 877-250-5823 | Direct to human. | |
| Wall Street Journal | 800-568-7625 | Press 0 at prompt; press # at prompt; press # at prompt. | |
| Walt Disney World | 407-824-2222 | Direct to human. | |
| Washington Mutual | 800-356-0011 | Don’t press or say anything. | |
| Washington Mutual | 800-788-7000 | Don’t press or say anything. | |
| Washington Post | 800-627-1150 | Don’t press or say anything. | |
| Wells Fargo Credit | 800-642-4720 | Press 0# at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Wells Fargo | 800-869-3557 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Western Union | 800-634-1311 | Press *##. | |
| Westin Hotels | 888-625-5144 | Press 11. | |
| Whirlpool | 800-253-1301 | Press 421; at prompt press #. | |
| White House | 202-456-1414 | Direct to human. | |
| W Hotels | 888-625-5144 | Press 16. | |
| Williams-Sonoma | 877-812-6235 | Don’t press or say anything. | |
| Wirefly | 888-843-2485 | Press # at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Wisconsin Electric | 800-242-9137 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Xbox | 800-469-9269 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. | |
| Xerox | 800-822-2979 | Press 0. | |
| XM Radio | 800-967-2346 | Press 0 and then say “customer service.” | |
| Yahoo Personal Email | 866-492-4664 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. FYI, cost is $24.99 per issue. | |
| Yahoo Small Business | 866-562-7219 | Press 0 at each prompt, ignoring messages. |
How To > Get to OiNK When It Appears To Be Down
Update 7/6/07: OiNK just decided due to their dns problems to change their url. Instead of oink.me.uk it is now oink.cd. The instructions below still apply since they kept the same IP’s. I have updated it to list those as well.
Ok. Right now OiNK’s registration shows up as suspended. This makes it frustrating to get to the world’s greatest private music tracker. I am not here to explain it, +if you don’t know that’s your problem. I am just show you how to get to it.
First to get there: http://85.17.40.71
Then even getting there won’t make your torrents trackers correct, so you will need to make sure your computer knows how to get there even with fucked up DNS.
So in Windows go to Start > Run > Type: C:\windows\system32\drivers\etc\hosts > It will open and ask you what to run it with, choose: Wordpad (or notepad) > If your hosts file is not messed up it will probably be mostly blank except for some comments and then a thing saying 127.0.0.1 localhost
Simply hit enter after this and paste the following in:
85.17.40.71 oink.me.uk
85.17.40.69 tracker.oink.me.uk
85.17.40.70 irc.oink.me.uk
85.17.40.71 oink.cd
85.17.40.69 tracker.oink.cd
85.17.40.70 irc.oink.cd
Save and exit, then restart torrent program. Oh if you have stuff in yours hosts file already that you did not put there it is either redirecting to 127.0.0.1 which tends to be done by anti-spyware / advertising software and is ok because it eliminates junk sites. If it’s anything but you might have been hijacked and I would highly recommend deleting the entries you aren’t familiar with.
For Linux simply type:
echo ‘85.17.40.71 oink.me.uk
85.17.40.69 tracker.oink.me.u
85.17.40.70 irc.oink.me.uk’ >> /etc/hosts
echo ‘85.17.40.71 oink.cd
85.17.40.69 tracker.oink.cd
85.17.40.70 irc.oink.cd’ >> /etc/hosts