Automated Phone Systems - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

AB · 06-18-2007, 05:17 PM

When you call a company and get lost in their automated phone system what do you do? Sometimes you can be in there for 20 or 30 minutes and never get what you need. Any tips on how to get through?

I had to call about our insurance to the companys headquarters in New Jersey today and I finally had to hang up because I could never get to talk to a live person. I then called where I work and got a direct number for the department I needed at the insurance company. But I wasted all that time for nothing. Does this bother anyone else?

Lex Luthor · 06-18-2007, 07:09 PM

I used to just hit 0 over and over until I got an Operator but most places have even changed that.

I really hate the ones that ask you to speak your request into the phone. You say something like "billing" and the stupid thing asks did you say "service"? I find myself screaming at a stupid automated lady.

What the hell happened to customer service?

Zoneboy · 06-18-2007, 07:35 PM

Automated systems annoy the hell out of me, It used to be that you could call and get connected with someone in a reasonable amount of time but not anymore. For me, Most calls go something like this:

For english, Press 1.

Please listen carefully as our menu options have changed

If you know your party's extension, You may dial it at anytime

In order to route your call more correctly, Please tell me the problem you are experiencing

If you're having trouble reaching a represenative, Online assistance is available from our website

All of our represenatives are currently busy, Please try your call again later or you may leave a message by pressing 1.

When you are finished with your message, Press the # key for more options.

We are experiencing unusually high call volumes (That's because nobody can get thru to anyone)

And when I finally do reach someone, They can barely speak a word of english.

Ireneparalegal · 06-18-2007, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zoneboy

Automated systems annoy the hell out of me, It used to be that you could call and get connected with someone in a reasonable amount of time but not anymore. For me, Most calls go something like this:

For english, Press 1.

Please listen carefully as our menu options have changed

If you know your party's extension, You may dial it at anytime

In order to route your call more correctly, Please tell me the problem you are experiencing

If you're having trouble reaching a represenative, Online assistance is available from our website

All of our represenatives are currently busy, Please try your call again later or you may leave a message by pressing 1.

When you are finished with your message, Press the # key for more options.

We are experiencing unusually high call volumes (That's because nobody can get thru to anyone)

And when I finally do reach someone, They can barely speak a word of english.

Sounds like AOL.

I hate automated systems. I hate how you mess up and press something wrong and you can't go back unless there is that option to "Press 9 to go back to the main menu". All that does is send you back to the BEGINNING. I don't know why someone can't just answer the phone and direct calls to the department you need.

Get this, on Monday my boyfriend called his doctor's office to find out abt his prescription refill and he got an AUTOMATED SERVICE!!! Excuse me??? I have never ever received an automated service when I called any doctor's office...EVER! I heard him on the phone saying his name, his birthdate, he then was pressing numbers...I looked at him and couldn't help but laugh. He was PISSED!

Not at me, at the stupid system. I told him he either needs to find another doctor (which he doesn't want to do because he really loves this doctor) or he needs to complain to the people in the office so they can relay that message to someone. Man, he really let the girl on the phone have it when a real live person finally came on.

I don't get it, how much trouble is it to just answer the phone and direct the call as needed?

Zoneboy · 06-18-2007, 10:18 PM

I knew I forgot one, This call may be monitored or recorded for quality training purposes.

James · 06-19-2007, 02:18 AM

I hate that, too. Like Irene, I have experienced automated service when I have telephoned one of my doctors. I have told my doctor how I would like "a human, breathing person" at the other end, and all he says is that they can't get a switchboard operator.

To which I said, "Just think how it would fix unemployment!"

I guess I'm more behind the times than most people. Either that or most people want to experiment too much with the latest technologies, regardless of how expensive.

I'm not Bill Gates, you know.

However, when I call my bank for information on my account, particularly when it comes to reordering checks, I am fine with the automated system.

Georgia's on my Mind · 06-19-2007, 02:40 AM

I hate that they changed the 0 thing

tug452 · 06-19-2007, 10:56 AM

if u do actually reach a person it will come on and say please wait for an agent..they play the most annoying music on the planet

Zoneboy · 06-19-2007, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tug452

if u do actually reach a person it will come on and say please wait for an agent..they play the most annoying music on the planet

Amen to that.

Mr. Cranky · 06-19-2007, 11:52 AM

All those things do is raise my blood pressure through the roof.

AB · 06-19-2007, 05:35 PM

I also tried punching the 0, the pound & star keys but the recording just kept right on going. There was no option to speak to a representative on their menu. Why can't these companies give you a choice of speaking to a real live person?

Lex Luthor · 06-19-2007, 06:39 PM

Some of the phones will transfer you to a live person if you do not push any buttons.

But now they are even countering that by the voice activated systems.

06-18-2007, 05:17 PM	#1
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,428	Automated Phone Systems When you call a company and get lost in their automated phone system what do you do? Sometimes you can be in there for 20 or 30 minutes and never get what you need. Any tips on how to get through? I had to call about our insurance to the companys headquarters in New Jersey today and I finally had to hang up because I could never get to talk to a live person. I then called where I work and got a direct number for the department I needed at the insurance company. But I wasted all that time for nothing. Does this bother anyone else?

06-18-2007, 07:09 PM	#2
Lex Luthor I'm bringing Lexy back Senior Member Join Date: Jun 07, 2005 Location: The Great White North Posts: 2,374	I used to just hit 0 over and over until I got an Operator but most places have even changed that. I really hate the ones that ask you to speak your request into the phone. You say something like "billing" and the stupid thing asks did you say "service"? I find myself screaming at a stupid automated lady. What the hell happened to customer service?
	__________________ I look forward to resuming our verbal judo - Lex Luthor It's a complicated world, Clark. Only the naïve view it in black and white - Lex Luthor Genevieve: "I underestimated you, Lex." Lex: "Well, that’s a common mistake." Lionel Luthor: "We don't need to play games, son." Lex Luthor: "Dad, games are all we got."

06-18-2007, 07:35 PM	#3
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,454	Automated systems annoy the hell out of me, It used to be that you could call and get connected with someone in a reasonable amount of time but not anymore. For me, Most calls go something like this: For english, Press 1. Please listen carefully as our menu options have changed If you know your party's extension, You may dial it at anytime In order to route your call more correctly, Please tell me the problem you are experiencing If you're having trouble reaching a represenative, Online assistance is available from our website All of our represenatives are currently busy, Please try your call again later or you may leave a message by pressing 1. When you are finished with your message, Press the # key for more options. We are experiencing unusually high call volumes (That's because nobody can get thru to anyone) And when I finally do reach someone, They can barely speak a word of english.
	__________________ 'Twas The Night Before Christmas And All Through The Full House Not A Creature Was Stirring, Not Even Mighty Mouse. All My Children We're Nestled All Snug In Their Beds While Visions Of Sugarbakers Danced In Their Heads.

06-19-2007, 11:52 AM	#10
Mr. Cranky Loveable fuzzball Forum Regular Join Date: Sep 07, 2005 Location: Cranksville Posts: 651	All those things do is raise my blood pressure through the roof.
	__________________ Proud Member of The Vast Right Wing Conspiracy Abortion stops a beating heart COPs = Chronically Offended People FOX NEWS RULES

06-18-2007, 10:18 PM	#5
Zoneboy RIP, I'LL NEVER FORGET YOU :( Moderator Forum Superstar Join Date: Jul 13, 2003 Location: AT HOME WISHING ALL THIS WAS JUST A DREAM AND THAT I'LL WAKE UP FROM THIS NIGHTMARE. Posts: 34,454	I knew I forgot one, This call may be monitored or recorded for quality training purposes.

06-19-2007, 02:18 AM	#6
James Member Forum Veteran Join Date: Jan 07, 2001 Location: Dayton, Ohio, USA Posts: 6,370	I hate that, too. Like Irene, I have experienced automated service when I have telephoned one of my doctors. I have told my doctor how I would like "a human, breathing person" at the other end, and all he says is that they can't get a switchboard operator. To which I said, "Just think how it would fix unemployment!" I guess I'm more behind the times than most people. Either that or most people want to experiment too much with the latest technologies, regardless of how expensive. I'm not Bill Gates, you know. However, when I call my bank for information on my account, particularly when it comes to reordering checks, I am fine with the automated system.

06-19-2007, 02:40 AM	#7
Georgia's on my Mind Senior Member Forum Superstar Join Date: Aug 19, 2001 Posts: 25,054	I hate that they changed the 0 thing

06-19-2007, 10:56 AM	#8
tug452 Member Occasional Poster Join Date: Dec 16, 2006 Location: mars Posts: 25	if u do actually reach a person it will come on and say please wait for an agent..they play the most annoying music on the planet

06-19-2007, 05:35 PM	#11
AB Member Eternal Member Forum Icon Join Date: Dec 26, 2006 Location: The South Posts: 59,428	I also tried punching the 0, the pound & star keys but the recording just kept right on going. There was no option to speak to a representative on their menu. Why can't these companies give you a choice of speaking to a real live person?

06-19-2007, 06:39 PM	#12
Lex Luthor I'm bringing Lexy back Senior Member Join Date: Jun 07, 2005 Location: The Great White North Posts: 2,374	Some of the phones will transfer you to a live person if you do not push any buttons. But now they are even countering that by the voice activated systems.