Except these automated systems never have the power to actually resolve problems. If they did, then someone would exploit them for gain. I had a problem last y

Except these automated systems never have the power to actually resolve problems. If they did, then someone would exploit them for gain. I had a problem last year with a major credit card processing bank, where they decided I needed a new card/number, but apparently were unable to actually ship said card to me for an extended period of time. During which, I was locked out of the online/automated phone/etc system because I didn't know the new card/account number (and couldn't activate it). They literally wouldn't take my money, and it took mashing the '0' button in the automated system, which kept requesting my account number, for about 20 minutes before it decided I was allowed to speak to a human. That human located literally on the other side of the planet from me, also didn't know what to do about it, and it took being escalated through three levels of customer support before I got to someone who mysteriously had the power to ship me a new card within a day or two so I could pay my bill, activate the new card before traveling overseas/etc a week later. Thats hardly the first time I've had a problem with some bank/etc making some sweeping/automated change and not thinking through all the problems it will cause to various "odd ball" customers. Anway, automated customer support is a joke unless your just calling to check your balance or some other activity you should be able to pull off with the web page/etc. At the end of the day, you need people who can understand the system, and solve the problems created by unthinking middle managers making broad decisions. Companies that are known to have good customer support are the ones that have given their first line support people the ability to make financial decisions that could hurt the company if misused. You simply can't (yet) do that with an automated system.