On the topic of ordering checks… I called them back today, hoping to get some confirmation that I’d actually placed an order. After laboriously entering all of my information — again — the system again cheerfully told me that my last order was placed three years ago, and shipped the next day.

Fortunately, it also provided a new option, an “if you need help…” one. On selecting that, I was immediately connected to a real live human, who immediately spotted the problem and corrected it. She was able to see the information that I’d put in, so I didn’t have to give it all to her again (unlike with many companies). She even told me how much the checks would cost, and when they’d be delivered.

It doesn’t make up for the exceptionally lousy automated system, but it does help.