Increasingly, the customer service representative, tech support, or sales person you call at such companies as Carnival, the American Automobile Association, and Time Warner may be a stay at home mom in Missouri, a layoff victim in Florida, or an accountant in Pennsylvania who needs more hours now that tax season has ended.

FORBES: Written By Angela Selden

Instead, customers are directed to contact the company's support line where a customer service representative will set up the account for them.

ENGADGET: Switched On: The Peek of popularity

Literally a second after I hung up the phone, my customer service representative walked into my office for support on a client issue she was dealing with.

FORBES: Customer Service, Customer Service, Customer Service