Argos Card...

[janzman]

...MrsJan has the Argos account in her name and has a card.I also have a card in my name on the same account.My card has split and I require a replacement.You cannot get a replacement card on-line, so I rang the 'help' number.I followed the automated instructions and entered the 19 digit account number,the account holder's date of birth (MrsJan)and the credit limit,all completeley satisfactory.Finally I got through to a real person and explained that I needed a new card as mine had split and was unusable.
The first thing that was asked was 'Is the account holder with you??' No, I said.That was that ,no further action.

My point is that on hearing my male voice the customer service person checked the account holder as being female and stopped any further progression with my enquiry.

Presumably from this logic stand I could have asked my neighbour who is an 84 year widow to speak to the customer service person and as long as he heard a female vioice all would be well.

Is it me or is there a fault in the Argos procedures

[chrisgel]

Halifax do this as well and Virgin. Bloody annoying isn't it.

[giveup]

I have a very deep (sexy voice???) so most people think I'm Mr anyway. I just don't disillusion them.

[2sp_]

I've come across this before with other companies.

In fact I was calling one particular company who wanted to speak to my FIL as the account was actually in his name. (Don't worry, this was all above board!) They wanted to confirm with him that I could act on the account so I just put Mr P on the phone instead and all he had to say was "yes, 2sp can act on the account". They didn't even ask him any security questions!

They shouldn't assume that someone sounds like their gender are "supposed" to.

[sherrardk]

Post Office won't even let me pay the bill as the account is himself's name, Sky will let me pay but won't do anything without himself's say so. All a bit bonkers really.

[EvianBaby]

Yep. Happens at work all the time. As long as the voice sounds like the right sex they'll speak to anyone. It's stupid.

Similarly, a company would not accept my driving licence as ID as it had my old address on but they did accept my passport, which has no address on it.

[society]

I think common sense is placed on the back burner.