If you’re a regular reader of this blog, you know that I like technology.  In general.  There are some notable exceptions.  But, overall I think automating things is usually a good idea.  Except when it’s a bad idea.

I got a voicemail the other day that said something like “This is your doctor’s office calling about that issue we’ve been discussing.  Please return this call at 555-1212.”

Hmmm.

I hadn’t been talking to anyone at my doctor’s office about a bill, and I wasn’t aware of any overdue doctor bills, and the voice message sounded like a recording, and what showed up on my caller ID was pretty weird.

So, first, I was suspicious.  I did a search on the Internet for the telephone number on my caller ID, and the number I was asked to call, and got mixed reviews.  Some people swore it was a scam and never returned the call.  But one entry I found sounded like it was a legitimate call.

So, I decided to call the number.  I figured, what’s the worst that could happen?  When the line was answered, the exchange went something like this:

“Could I have your account number, please?”

“Perhaps – if you’ll tell me who you are.”  There was a pregnant pause.

“You don’t know who you’re calling?”

“No, I don’t.  I received an automated voice message asking me to call this number.”

“Well, that’s odd.  There was no indication of who was calling?”

“No, and you might pass along to your management the idea that perhaps being more specific would generate a better response.”

Turned out I was talking to a firm that did collections for a doctor that I had seen, and the bill was paid, but somehow the payment got lost.

OK, so I’m sure that little voice machine saves the company a lot.  However, I think this is a case of automation gone wild.

There are some times when the personal touch just can’t be replaced!

Anyway, I’d wager that the automated systems in this office ran off with my check in the first place.  Not really a good advertisement for automation, is it?