This has got to be one of the funniest true stories I've heard of for a long time. I received this from an email few years ago and I thought of sharing it here. This is a true story from the WordPerfect Helpline which was transcribed from a recording monitoring the customer care department. Needless to say, the HelpDesk employee was fired, however he is currently suing the WordPerfect organization for "Termination without cause." This is the actual dialogue of a former WordPerfect Customer Support employee.


Employee..."Rich Hall, Computer Assistance; may I help you?"
Customer: "Yes, well, I'm having trouble with WordPerfect."
Employee: "What sort of trouble?"
Customer: "Well, I was just typing along, and all of a sudden, the words went away."
Employee: "Went away?"
Customer: "They disappeared."
Employee: "Hmmm So what does your screen look like now?"
Customer: "Nothing."
Employee: "Nothing?"
Customer: "It's a blank; it won't accept anything when I type."
Employee: "Are you still in WordPerfect, or did you get out?"
Customer: "How do I tell?"
Employee: "Can you see the 'C:' prompt on the screen?"
Customer: "What is a sea prompt?"
Employee: "Never mind, can you move your cusor around the screen?"
Customer: "There isn't any cursor; I told you, it won't accept anything I type."
Employee: "Does your monitor have a power indicator?"
Customer: "I don't know."
Employee: "Well, then look on the back of the monitor and find where the power cord goes into it...can you see that?"
Customer: "Yes, I think so."
Employee: "Great. Follow the cord to the plug, and tell me if it's plugged into the wall."
Customer: "Yes, it is."
Employee: "When you were behind the monitor, did you notice that there were two cables plugged into the back of it, not just one?"
Customer: "No."
Employee: "Well, there are. I need you to look back there again and find the other cable."
Customer" "Okay, here it is."
Employee: "Follow it for me, and tell me it if't plugged securely into the back of your computer."
Customer: "I can't reach."
Employee: "Uh huh. Well can you see if it is?"
Customer: "No."
Employee: "Even if you maybe put your knee on something and lean way over?"
Customer: "Oh, it is not because I don't have the right angle, it's because it's dark."
Employee: "Dark?"
Customer: "Yes - the office light is off, and the only light I have is coming in from the window."
Employee: "Well, turn on the office light then."
Customer: "I can't."
Employee: "No? Why not?"
Customer: "Because there's a power failure."
Employee: "A power...a power failure?...Aha, Okay, we've got it licked now. Do you still have the boxes and manuals and the packing stuff your computer came in?"
Customer: "Well, yes, I keep them in the closet."
Employee: "Good...Go get them, and unplug your system and pack it up just like
it was when you got it. Then take it back to the store you bought it from."
Customer: "Really? Is it that bad?"
Employee: "Yes, I'm afraid it is."
Customer: "Well, all right then, I suppose. What do I tell them?"
Employee: "Tell them you're too stupid to own a computer!"


In my opinion, I think this guy should have been promoted, not fired.