I've found myself using chat support twice over the last week. (Which is kind of weird since I helped develop an online chat system a few years back and almost went to work for a online chat provider....) Anyway, one was useful, this one less so (I'm referring to the agents not the chat application).... (Names removed to protect the innocent)...
matt: I need to get a VOIP phone working from home and it requires a static ip address. Any suggestions?
SupportFolk: Please click here for FooCompany DSL technical support via chat or by calling 1-888-777-7777. Chat support is available 10:00 am - 7:00 pm MST, Monday - Saturday. Phone support is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
matt: thanks
SupportFolk: FooCompany appreciates your business and values you as a customer. Our goal is to provide you with excellent service. If you need further assistance, please click here for additional customer service options on FooCompany.com. To close this chat, please click the close button at the top of your chat window.
matt: are you a robot?
matt: ;)
SupportFolk: No (beep beep)
matt: Just checking...
SupportFolk: Is there anything else that I can help you with today?
matt: nope, have a good one.
SupportFolk: You too.
matt: bye
SupportFolk: FooCompany appreciates your business and values you as a customer. Our goal is to provide you with excellent service. If you need further assistance, please click here for additional customer service options on FooCompany.com. To close this chat, please click the close button at the top of your chat window.
Note that this is the online chat help service for the dsl company. One thing always useful with support is the "we can't help you here, but these people can" routing mess that you always seem to end up with....