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Re:How I lost access to my Google account today by maratd on Saturday April 14, 2012 @12:40AM (#3839903)
> but I'd pay for customer service.

So pay for it? I'm not saying that it's right for Google to do this, but they do offer that option. With a Google Apps subscription, you get support.

Re:How I lost access to my Google account today by ubernostrum on Saturday April 14, 2012 @12:44AM (#3839911)
Many, many times we've heard these stories from even paying customers of Google.

Generally, if it can't be implemented by an algorithm, Google's not going to do it, ever.

Re:How I lost access to my Google account today by alexqgb on Saturday April 14, 2012 @04:36AM (#3840287)
Confirmed. When I say Google supplied me with the single worst customer service I've ever had, I do mean customer. Not user. Customer.

e.g. "24/7 Support" meant I was free to sent them an e-mail anytime, day or night. Or I could call the 800 line and leave a message ("Calls are usually returned within two business days!").

When I did get through this way, I had to run a gauntlet to convince the asshole (and he was an asshole) that I'd exhausted every imaginable self service option before having the audacity to call for help directly - even though this was the exact service I was paying for.

Seriously, you'd think I'd called 911 to report that I was running out of milk and eggs. In reality, my accounts had vanished completely. Business accounts, I might add. Not that it mattered to Google.

Like an earlier commenter noted - if you use Google for anything that matters, you'll probably be okay. After all, the odds are in your favor. But if you do get screwed, you get screwed completely, suddenly, and without warning. And that's true of customers and users alike.

Re:How I lost access to my Google account today by aperrien on Saturday April 14, 2012 @01:11AM (#3839967)
With paying customers? That will continue until they face their first lawsuit...
Re:How I lost access to my Google account today by ubernostrum on Saturday April 14, 2012 @05:36AM (#3840385)
Lawsuit for what? Google's terms are set up such that "we algorithmically decide to provide you with nothing whatsoever in exchange for your money" is perfectly within their rights.
Re:How I lost access to my Google account today by mattmanser on Saturday April 14, 2012 @07:40AM (#3840610)
Not in many countries, there are consumer protection laws.
Re:How I lost access to my Google account today by FooBarWidget on Saturday April 14, 2012 @08:06AM (#3840659)
That's what I thought. When Google Apps for businesses came out I was interested in subscribing, so I asked their customer support about what migration paths they offer. I never heard back from them.
Re:How I lost access to my Google account today by gcb on Saturday April 14, 2012 @03:41AM (#3840206)
Uh, have you even read the linked article?

a PAYING customer of gmail lost his account.

Re:How I lost access to my Google account today by codeka on Saturday April 14, 2012 @08:48AM (#3840731)
He's paying for Gmail+Docs storage, that's not the same as Google Apps for Business. If he were paying for Google Apps for Business then he has a 24/7 support phone number that he can call.
Re:How I lost access to my Google account today by damncabbage on Sunday April 15, 2012 @08:11AM (#3843502)
A phone number that apparently isn't so great: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3840287
Re:How I lost access to my Google account today by gcb on Saturday April 14, 2012 @03:07PM (#3841701)
hum, i stand corrected on the technicality.

but still, he is having problem with his account used for gmail, which he pays.

why does he have to pay yet another product to have support for the one he is having problem with?

do you have to buy a 2liter coke to be able to complain that they delivered the wrong toppings in your pizza? makes no sense.