Every time I am asked to use a self-checkout machine at a store, I decline. Maybe not today or tomorrow, but someday, these machines will eliminate jobs.
When I have told the cashier I prefer to wait in line and use a human checkout, I have been told on several occasions, rather nastily, that self-checkouts actually create jobs. (OK!)
Recently I renewed my licence plate sticker online. It took two minutes. Only problem was there was some glitch in the system and I was charged $120 instead of the Northern Ontario rate of $60. There was no Northern Ontario option offered and once you start, there is no way to back out.
I called the 1-800 number, waited 10 minutes, talked to a very nice woman who asked me repeatedly how long I had lived in Northern Ontario (35 years), and did I have documents to prove it. Yes, my driver's licence and car registration. She advised me to go to the Service Ontario office downtown to get a refund.
So I did. It took 90 minutes to fix the problem. The very capable Mike from the North Bay Service Ontario office was doing training, and he had lots of experience with licence issues. He phoned another 1-800 number to speak to a supervisor and was put on hold for an hour. While he was on hold, he continued to serve other customers and train a new staff member.
The resolution. My $120 sticker was cancelled and returned to MTO; I am promised a cheque for $120 will be in the mail; and I had to buy a new sticker for $60.
On the way out of the parking lot, there was a glitch in the system that could not read my card and I held up other drivers for five minutes. Finally, a voice from the paymachine spoke to me and remotely lifted the parking rail.
Thanks to Mike from North Bay. It was so nice not having to deal with a machine.
Vicki Gilhula
Sudbury