Tl; dr The title covers it

I'm that guy that calls companies I do business with (macys, verizon, chase, etc) and negotiates heads up for overcharges and oversights that these companies add or subtract from each one of us with the hopes that we will be too busy to notice. If we do notice, they will make the customer service experience as frustrating as possible so we give up and just live with it.

I've always been pretty good seeing through the bull shit but ever since familiarizing myself with TRP I now know the purpose behind the actions. Essentially, just like a woman the customer service reps job is to throw you off your game and expose weakness. Thus finding a way to say NO. (Sound familiar?)

I'm talking to a rep today about 7 months of purchases that havnt been added to a rewards program. As i found out just the other day at Costco the old program was discarded and a new one was created (Amex card rewards program). I signed up for the new program on the spot and this call was to ask for the 7 months of purchases to be added retroactively to my points balance. I was never notified of a change in program, they needed to fix it.

The first woman didnt put up much resistance, turns out she had facts at her disposal that she was too lazy or dumb to access and use as a shit test. When I thought I had rightfully "won" she said that she would need to look at the statements from the previous months which would take some time. I asked her to call me in one hour. Ofcourse she did not. Why should she bother with servicing a customer? It's not like she's a customer service representative.

I called back and I got another woman, this one put up a better fight. She told me it was my responsibility to sign up to the rewards program. I explained that I would have if I was notified. She said they had sent a mass mail out and we probably overlooked it. I told her I dont leave money on the table.

She doubled down and said. On June 13 at 9:44 pm the mass mailers were sent out (this was the fact the other lady didn't have the sense to use). I said I believe you ma'am but the customer who spends thousands of dollars every year with your company is telling you he did not receive it. She chuckled that very familiar chuckle (you know the one lol) and said hold please.

I don't want to extend the story too much but there were massive amounts of LMR. She came back from hold and asked if I still wanted to wait for a supervisor when the word supervisor was not even mentioned beforehand. She said a couple more things to test my frame and I didn't budge. She then said her supervisor was willing to add $175 in bonus cash onto my account. I agreed and got off the phone. Not bad for an hour of work.

Ever since TRP I've been seeing every interaction where i have a goal in mind, as me playing offense and "them" playing defense. Them includes women, men, cashiers, supervisors, customer service reps, companies, employers etc. You want an adjusted bill? Wet vagina? A return on those jeans that you bought over 30 days ago? Be ready to get tested.

Take my line "I believe you ma'am but the customer who spends thousands of dollars every year with your company is telling you he did not receive it." Can you imagine the mini smirk across my face at the moment my brain came up with it? Can you imagine her trying to dispute what i said? I knew it was air tight. Those two factors amount to amused mastery IMHO. You are amused at your answer (a hint of condescencion is in order) on top of that you know that shit is going to get the job done.

Even if the words are jibberish your delivery says "fuck outta here with that weak shit." In fact I'm starting to play with responses that don't make sense but sound good as fuck. Your question was so ridiculous that my answer isn't even about the same damn topic.

On a more practical note: I've been negotiating with the customer service reps of companies for many years. I've reduced cell phone overage charges, overdraft fees by banks and asked for special consideration from companies I spend a lot of money with. Pay attention, don't let them get over on you.

In life you don't get what you deserve you get what you negotiate.