Monday, March 01, 2004

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Brain-dead e-commerce sites I was purchasing a pair of overpriced non-stop tickets on Continental's site. First time I had ever used it, but it seemed fairly standard. On the last page, I entered the wrong "CID" number for my credit card (the 3-digit checksum-type number on the back). Although the error page returned was fairly opaque (could not verify your financial info, please contact your card issuer), a bit of double-checking told me the CID was the problem. So I re-entered it. Same error. Re-entered it again (it was masked out, like a password dialog, so who knows, maybe I had typo'd it the second time around). Same error. So I tried another Visa. Still same error. So I clicked on the "Call an agent" button. That part worked really well, my phone rang <i>immediately</i> and the standard recording had just started when a live agent cut in. They explained that you don't get a second chance to enter the CID number, apparently not even with a new credit card. I'm sure there is some self-defeating security logic there somewhere, but I don't get it. Anyway, she was nice and helpful and completed my reservation. 5:45:25 PM    comment []

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Medical Billing Unbelievable. I just received the EOB for some minor outpatient surgery I had recently. Total charges were $9400, but insurance plan reductions brought it down to $2500! Just to be clear, I'm not complaining, I didn't have to pay any of it (that's another issue), but if I had been unfortunate enough not to be in an insurance plan with negotiated rates, I would have been on the hook for $9400! I know this is all sort of a game, but it really seems like almost an excessive reduction. 5:37:09 PM    comment []