Working In Billing Is Not Their Calling

(My mother has become ill, and I have to take over her finances. I call all of the utilities to have them send the bills directly to me. This works fine for all but one company.)

Me: “I would like to change the address of the bills so that I can pay them for my mother.”

Customer Representative: “She has to call us.”

Me: “She is in the hospital and can’t be reached. I can answer all of your security questions.”

Customer Representative: “She has to call us.”

Me: “So, you just need a female voice? I can have my girlfriend get on the phone.”

Customer Representative: “She has to call us.”

Me: *frustrated* “Okay, then please make a note in the file that, from now on, all the bills will be paid late, because I only come down here every couple of weeks.”

(Long pause.)

Customer Representative: “Okay, where did you want the bills sent to?”