Moved this follow-up to Chat. Ruth wrote:
<.........It also means that, unless authorised, one partner is > not allowed to discuss an account (such as the phone bill) if the account > is in the name of the other partner...or advise change of address etc.> We have a similar, but slightly different problem in that DH suffers from tinnitus and can't hear what's being said over the phone very easily, so now I do all the phoning. Companies usually won't change an account into my name or even both names without the loss of any benefits we've accrued - they insist it'll have to be a new account. So now when a phone call has to be made, I make it, then, before they say anything, I tell them that the account holder is my husband, that he has a hearing problem but is standing next to me and will confirm that I can deal with them on his behalf. He then takes the phone, tells them it's OK and eventually manages to give them any confirmation they want if they've spoken loudly and clearly enough - they quickly realise it'll be easier and quicker talking to me - hands the receiver back to me and I deal with them. Some of the people we deal with now know this and take the calls from me without any fuss. When it comes to technical problems with our ISP, I'm the computerate one, but the account is in DH's name. When I phone them, I just say that I know the account is in his name, he's not here, he won't understand what they're saying, here's the account details, now deal with me. And they do. In some ways the old system of a wife being an extension of her husband was easier, but then they wouldn't even entertain talking to an obviously incapable, incompetent and thick wife. Jean in Poole To unsubscribe send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] containing the line: unsubscribe lace-chat [EMAIL PROTECTED]
