Activation Required!

Okay, so I've received brand new credit cards in the mail recently. However, since I'm somewhat lazy and hate to pick up a phone (give me a computer any day), I let my new cards pile up and wait until the last moment possible before calling in their activations.

I mean, who has the time to sit and wait while your card is being activated while the voice on the phone drones on and on with one offer after another? People are in a hurry these days, folks, and does anyone actually buy what they are offering?

But that's the least of my worries. One of my biggest faults is I hate to TALK on the phone. Automated phone activation is okay, I guess, but I attempted to call and activate several cards I have sitting here. And my worst nightmares came true. After inputting my card numbers, I waited while the phone computer retrieved my account information. Then it happened! Instead of activating my cards, I was put through to the customer service department and put on hold until an available customer service rep could help me. Egads! Now I would have to talk to a real live person? I'd rather get a root canal...

And by the way, has anyone noticed the rash of accented individuals who man those customer service lines these days? Not only would I have to talk to a person, but I would have to hire a translator to understand what they were asking me. I'm sorry, but if I have to push '1' for English, I would expect to get a rep who's fluent in English, that's all I have to say.

I was impressed one time when I was able to activate one of my cards online. Now there's a company who's entered into the 21st century.

So I'm in a dilemma now. Either I have to stop using credit cards or bite the bullet and pick up a phone to activate them. Could activations become any more complicated?