Too Too

Technology is touted as the end all and be all. Although it is very helpful and provides magical improvements in productivity, it also delivers mountains of frustration to a lot of people. Elders in particular are affected mightily by technology. Especially the rate of change.

I filed my income taxes electronically this year and for the previous two years. I also provided a printed form just to be safe. I did all this on January 27th. I used Turbo Tax. The IRS returned my file on April 16th, one day after the tax deadline. I don’t know if this will make a difference or not.

The IRS didn’t like the printed format of my submission and wanted an inked signature. None of this was necessary because the electronic filing was the primary submission. So, I contacted Turbo Tax for help. None was forthcoming. Technical barriers performed that task. Nearing 82, I didn’t know how or what to do. These days, phone calls don’t work well even if accepted.

So, I finally reprinted the 1040 and signed it in ink, then mailed it. Who knows if this settles the matter. The Turbo Tax fee of $85 was not worth the aggravation. Their customer service was non-existent. Why should I bother with them in the future?

In another matter, I changed apartments but remained in the same building, same leasing management company. I arranged new insurance for the new unit, paid for it in full, and asked that proof of insurance be sent to the realty company. Evidently that did not happen, but I had a terrible time finding the right form and emailing it to the leasing agent. I finally did so, but they charged me a $25 dollar late fee. Whether I can get that removed is an open question.

I had another transaction that required technology to handle. All three of these transactions occurred at the same time. For an 82-year-old, that is almost insurmountable. I’m wearing out. I am experienced enough and successful enough to handle this sort of thing, but timing is stretched out due to the convergence of technology and my age.

Seems to me that customer service should take these matters into consideration when they work with elder customers.

Oh, and another thing, my credit union’s data system has revoked my electronic support system (bank by mail) while not providing a printed monthly statement. I have to drive to the CU each month and ask for a printed statement. Seems wasteful to me.

May 5, 2025

 

 

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