Yep, the online runaround is really, really bad. It once took 3 of us 4 hours to sort out a mess online. Any time the person on the phone started getting frustrated they handed the phone on to the next person & took a coffee break. Meanwhile the company rep kept having to deal with us because they got no excuse for terminating the conversation. Jerks!
We've dealt with car salesmen the same way.

As part of a HS math thing the man got my OD to do the research & buy the car ~ the sort of thing most girls never learn until they have to & so often then get burnt. Any time She got overwhelmed I stepped in but made it clear I didn't have the final say; that would be my husband. When I got lost my MIL stepped in. The poor salesman had no idea who to pitch his spiel to. We got a really good deal, OD learnt heaps of practical math & hubby closed the deal. By then I think the sales rep was relieved to be dealing with a man & only too happy to give him anything he wanted if we would just go away.