Thats because all these companies outsourced their helpdesks overseas to India. they pay 5 people the same ammount they would pay 1 person here in teh states.
Its been that way for a few years now, that was one of the selling points of our technical service plans at staples. Our tech support was US based.
http://www.pcworld.com/howto/article/0, ... 20,00.asp#