Had to ship some equipment to GM. Their PO lists a website to arrange shipping, on their dime. Went to the website. Had to register in order to login. Fair enough. Name, company, etc. but they wanted FIVE security questions. After 4, I hit "submit" getting tired of trying to think of anything else. Got an ERROR. MUST HAVE 5! So I went through it again. Got a popup saying I'll get an email to confirm registration. OK, pretty normal routine for a lot of websites. Got the email. Clicked on the link. Got a message that my request for access was "being reviewed by a transportation specialist". 2 days went by and I was concerned with the holidays coming up that the "transportation specialist" may be on vacation. Contacted my customer. He gave me a lady to call, their local plant person. I started to explain to her and she stopped me and said "Are you familiar with XXXX (big trucking company)?" I said yes. She said "Call them at 1-800.....". I mentioned the website, she said, "don't use that, it's a POS". I laughed because the contractual document (PO) SAYS SPECIFICALLY TO USE IT! The next day, I got an email from the "transportation specialist" (name makes me think he/she is on the other side of the globe) indicating I could now log on.
Went to the website, logged on, Got a series of screens each with a single "yes/no" question on it: "Are you shipping in the US?", "Is this for Customer Care products", "Do you need special equipment such as a reefer car?" (Why auto parts would need a reefer car is beyond me :roll: ), "Do you need 1-2 day delivery?", etc. After you clicked the Yes or No button, you had to hit NEXT to get to the next screen.
Finally got to the last screen which (drum roll) GAVE ME THE 800 NUMBER FOR TRUCKING COMPANY XXXX! Same contact number that the lady at the local plant gave me the day before. :roll: :roll:
Not once was I required to enter any specific information regarding the shipment and all those questions could have been put on 1 screen with the 800 # at the bottom. Heck, the PO could have just listed the 800 #. Scrap the website and fire the "transportation specialist". Also, FIVE security questions to get access to an 800 # for a trucking company?
And, no, I never DID get asked one of those 5 security questions. :lol: :lol: :roll:
PS, Merry Christmas to all YTers!
Went to the website, logged on, Got a series of screens each with a single "yes/no" question on it: "Are you shipping in the US?", "Is this for Customer Care products", "Do you need special equipment such as a reefer car?" (Why auto parts would need a reefer car is beyond me :roll: ), "Do you need 1-2 day delivery?", etc. After you clicked the Yes or No button, you had to hit NEXT to get to the next screen.
Finally got to the last screen which (drum roll) GAVE ME THE 800 NUMBER FOR TRUCKING COMPANY XXXX! Same contact number that the lady at the local plant gave me the day before. :roll: :roll:
Not once was I required to enter any specific information regarding the shipment and all those questions could have been put on 1 screen with the 800 # at the bottom. Heck, the PO could have just listed the 800 #. Scrap the website and fire the "transportation specialist". Also, FIVE security questions to get access to an 800 # for a trucking company?
And, no, I never DID get asked one of those 5 security questions. :lol: :lol: :roll:
PS, Merry Christmas to all YTers!
