On Wed, 22 May 2013 20:52:05 -0700, Jeff Liebermann wrote:

Telephonically, can anyone explain what is going on?
http://youtu.be/JHALM-pJpBM

Yes. When you call an 800 or 877 number, the originating number is
logged on the destination CID device whether you have CID blocked or
not.

Hi Jeff,
Thanks for responding. You mention call blocking. I had *not* even thought
of that! My landline is blocked. I'm not sure about my VOIP (probably not).
My cellphone isn't blocked.

As you noted, none of those are blocked when you call a toll-free number
(which is why you don't want to rat on the mafia on an 800 number!).

That would explain why the initial connection answered with the prompt
to press 1 for English.

It's common practice for distributed support pools to redirect
calls by originating country or originating type of call.

Ah, it may make sense now that the *redirect* either couldn't get my
number (because it was blocked?) or that they figured out that it came
from a landline or VOIP phone rather than a cellphone.

But, why would the one USA phone number for ZTE Customer Support care
whether I called them from a landline or voip or cellphone?

the ZTE call director can recognize the difference between a call
from a mobile telephone and one from a land line.

OK. I don't disagree that they can recognize my landline call versus
my VOIP call versus my cellphone call.

Calls from land lines are assumed to be coming from China and are
going to the local Chinese call center. Someone probably goofed with
the programming.

If this is the case, then it's mighty weird. Nobody has confirmed yet
whether they can or can not get past the "Press 1 for English" from
a landline though.

Can someone call, from a landline (let us know if your number is blocked):
1-877-817-1759 (then press 1 for English when it asks you to).
Can you let us know if you get to the *next* prompt or not?