Can’t seem to get someone on the phone for help? For most companies, that is intentional. Here’s why.
TSA gets it right: Gold Star families now have free PreCheck, plus a discount for military spouses, and TSA is adding expedited lanes in 10 cities. It’s part of their July 4th rollout that finally makes airport lines suck a little less to thank families for their service to our country.
700
The number of customer service agents Klarna said AI could replace. Plot twist: The buy-now-pay-later company is hiring again (paywall link). Turns out cutting costs tanked service quality, and surprise, people still like talking to actual humans. They want new hires to be remote students or folks from rural areas.
🤥 Biggest lie on the web? Clicking “I agree” without reading a word of a site’s terms and conditions. Luckily, Terms of Service; Didn’t Read is a free website and browser extension that scans user agreements and summarizes the key points. Now, you’ll know what you’re getting into.
🚨 Booking.com warning: Speaking of travel, scammers will email or message you claiming your reservation is at risk. They’ll say it’s urgent and you’ll lose your spot unless you click a link to “verify” or “pre-authorize” your card. Don’t fall for it. If you’re worried, contact customer service.
📞 Press 1 to scream: This drives me nuts, and now we know it’s on purpose. The customer service endless holds. The loops. The “wrong department” reroutes. Turns out it’s not a glitch, it’s the point (paywall link). These systems are designed to wear you down until you give up and hang up. You’re not crazy. You’re just trapped in the admin-industrial complex.
Dinner and a movie? Not in 20 years
Even with better food, sound, and service, theaters are still on the decline. Execs say the classic night out has an expiration date.
Your own mobile phone company
President Trump is diving into the mobile service game with a flashy, gold-plated Android deal for just $47 a month. But how?
📦 Walmart’s expanding drone delivery: It’s coming to five more cities, including Atlanta, Charlotte, Houston, Orlando and Tampa. If you’re in one of them, you can sign up on Wing’s site to get notified when it goes live near you. FYI: That brings the service to 100 stores. At this rate, we’ll be living like the Jetsons in no time.
📞 Talk to a human: Head to this site next time you need to find the right customer service number. They list everything from airlines to dating apps and stores. Bookmark it now and thank yourself later when you reach a real person.
🚨 Deliverability: Noun. The likelihood that an email will successfully land in your inbox instead of being exiled to the deadly spam folder. I switched ESPs (email service providers), and I need your help. Reply, forward or rate the newsletter at the end, so Big Tech and your email provider know you want my free newsletter. This way, I’ll stick around like guac on a chip.
💸 Subscriptions sneak up fast: One buck here, five there, and suddenly your bank account’s losing money fast. I use Rocket Money to track every subscription I have. Don’t want a service anymore? They’ll cancel it for you.
⚡️ 3-second tech genius: Traveling? Download Google Maps offline areas to navigate without cell service.
CNN’s deja vu: It’s launching a streaming service with live news, original shows and documentaries (paywall link). No word on pricing yet. Ahem, remember CNN+ from three years ago? That one flopped in a few days.
🤐 Mute yourself: When you call customer service and hear, “This call may be recorded,” it’s not just while you’re talking with a rep. They can hear everything, even when you’re on hold. So hit that mute button next time you want to vent your frustrations.
Sluggish internet? Don’t ignore it. Someone could be freeloading off your Wi-Fi. Click here for my tips to check who’s connected to your network. If you spot a gadget you don’t recognize, it could be a Wi-Fi moocher. Your signal isn’t a community service.
🚗 Rides for Grandma: This is a great idea! Lyft Silver may be rolling out in your city this week. There’s bigger text in the app for older adults to read, simpler navigation and priority rides with cars that are easy to get in and out of. The best part? Real people answering customer service calls. Open the app > tap You > turn on Lyft Silver to get going.
$0
That’s the price for the dish and router when you sign up for a new 12-month Starlink plan. You’ll save $349, the monthly service fee stays the same, and you’ll have 30 days to return it for a refund. The catch? If you then cancel or change your service address, you’ll have to pay a prorated cost for the hardware.
🚐 Uber and Volkswagen are teaming up: They’re launching a robotaxi service in the U.S. with self-driving electric microbuses. First stop? Los Angeles, starting in late 2026. But don’t get too excited just yet. You’ll still see a human behind the wheel until at least 2027. Why? They’ve gotta wait for those permits to clear.