Registering a New Scanner

We got a new Canon scanner. When I installed the software, I was asked if I would like to register the product online. Sure, why not. Clicking on the link, I see three lines where I have to fill in stuff. The first is “pick your product.” Clicking on that, I have two choices: Printer or Multifunction Machine. No scanners. No way around this. I look at other parts of the site, try to register from other angles, but am always shunted to this same page with no way to register a scanner.

I emailed Canon, told them of the problem, and asked how I could register my scanner. The following is, in part, their reply:

"Thank you for writing to us concerning your CanoScan 5600F. We value you as a Canon customer and appreciate the opportunity to assist you. We regret to hear that you are experiencing difficulties registering your CanoScan online.

"To register the CanoScan, please follow these steps:

"1. Visit Canon's website at: www.canontechsupport.com

"2. Just below 'Please choose your product from the menus below:', select your model in the following manner:

"2-1. Click the down arrow on the top drop-down box and select Scanners.

"2-2. Click the down arrow on the middle drop-down box and select CanoScan Series.

"2-3. Click the down arrow on the bottom drop-down box and select CanoScan 5600F and click 'GO'.

"3. On the CanoScan 5600Fs Technical Support web page, click on 'Register Your Product' in the Getting Started box.

"In the new window that appears will be the registration form.

"Please let us know if we can be of any further assistance with your CanoScan.

"Thank you for choosing Canon."

Okay. I did all this. However, when I got to Step 3, in the Getting Started box is just the phrase “Information Not Available.”

I’ve written them again asking how I can register my scanner.

New Expiration Date

My credit card was nearing its expiration date and the credit card company sent me a new card. I don’t know about you, but I have many accounts with automatic payment to my credit card on a regular basis (e.g., phone) and when I buy something online. For most of these accounts, I could go to their website and update my information. For some, there was no way to do this causing me to have to phone and/or email them. (I wonder, for example, why there is no way to update my credit card information on AAA.) And then, of course, there are the sites that are down for “routine maintenance” and ones I will have to call “during regular business hours.”

So, after I completed my task (took about an hour so far), I immediately got an automated call from my credit card company wanting verification on several sites where I had updated information. All of these were test charges (i.e., $1.00 that is never actually charged). Happy to have the fraud division so alert. I guess the whole slew of changes all at one time caused bells to ring and a red flag to be waved.

Glad I only have to go through with this every three years!

Real Estate Taxes Redux

I have written before about the real estate assessment we received and that our dear county wanted to raise the assessed value on our house by 37 percent in the wondrous real estate year of 2009. And I have written about the whole process of trying to get the assessment reduced, getting together lots of information, and going to duke it out with the assessor’s office and, ultimately, getting relief from the Board of Equalization. It’s every two years I go through this exercise. They say mind games are good for old folks. Hmmmm.

Upon the advice of someone involved in the process, instead of filing my appeal as I have done in each of the last several two-year reappraisal cycles, I scheduled what is called “an informal conference” with a member of the appraiser’s office. I have been loath to do this in the past since my experience is that their job at such conferences is to just defend what the computer model has burped out for the assessed value and the homeowner doesn’t get anywhere. But, I thought I’d try.

I came to the meeting prepared with all the material I would put in a formal appeal, including the appeal form. A very nice young man from the assessor’s office first went through the basics of verifying building height, building style (wanted to know what percent of our first floor was stone as compared to siding), etc. After these opening pleasantries, he started looking through the material I had amassed. We got no further than the first chart showing the history of my assessments and reductions from the Board of Equalization over the last decade.

It seems that since I was sent my notice of assessed values, a supervisor had done a manual override on the system for our property and had come up with a value that was about the same as 2007. Ultimately, much to my surprise, the system worked. There must be some flag that kicks out properties with huge increases for a smell test.

So, no problem. Case closed. Would have been nice if I had gotten a new appraisal in the mail so I wouldn’t have had to go to this conference. And, as the nice man said, “See you in two years.” Guess the system isn’t totally fixed.

Is This the Person with Whom I Am Connected?

Got my ATT bill yesterday. Hmm. Total is about $30 lower than last month. In looking through the bill, I see that there are no charges for my DSL service. I look at last month’s bill. Yep. Was charged then. So, I call the handy-dandy 800 number last night.

Naturally, you have to go through things like: “I see you’re calling from xxx-xxx-xxxx. Is that the number on your bill?” “Yes,” I reply. The voice says, “I’ll just look that up.” Now, I ask you, what is a computer voice going to do once “he” has looked up my account? Next questions are to see if they can handle this all with automated responses (e.g., “Do you want to check your outstanding balance?”). You are allowed to say “none of the above” to the list of choices. After several times of doing this, the reply came back: “Sorry, that office is closed now. Call back during regular business hours.” So much for 24-hour responses to questions.

This morning I went through the same deal. Yes, that’s the number. None of the above. None of the above. None of the above. And I’m referred to a customer service agent who comes right on the line and is quite helpful overall. My first question to her is whether I need to tell her the number/account I’m calling about. “Yes.” Guess automation only goes so far. The computer voice who said, “I’ll just look that up,” neglected to send the customer service representative “he” was referring me to what “he” had looked up.

I ask about no Internet charges on my bill. She tells me that the Internet division had not gotten their information over to whatever division does the billing this month. Not to worry, though. My service will continue. They will just catch up next month.

Ah, the new AT&T. No communication between the automated system and real people. No communication between divisions so services can be billed on time. America rolls on.