I miss receptionists. I am not sure when the powers that be decided that having a person answer the phone and direct the caller to an appropriate department was “old fashioned.” Enter the incredibly annoying, terribly inefficient automated answering systems. They have replaced actual people at every turn.
It seems to me that what I want answered never fits into the categories offered. I sometimes have even taken up the system’s offer to “listen to the menu options again,” thinking that I might have missed the appropriate choice. But that hasn’t helped.
So many people have had such terrible times trying to get help that there are even web sites offering the “secret code words” to say that will get you through to an actual person. Unfortunately, I think the companies change their secret words as soon as too many people figure them out.
My most successful trick so far has been to remain silent through all the choices. Sometimes that actually gets me transferred to the magical “customer service representative.” Other times I repeat as an incantation, “representative, representative, representative.” Other times I just repeat “help.”
I wonder if the person who finally comes on the line wonders why my first words are “Thank God. Are you a real person?”
Like you I hate those automated answers when you call a company/utilities to complain about something. I usually takes so long before you can talk to someone, then transfer you to another, so on and on.
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The worst is when you are suddenly disconnected in the transfer!
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I agree….to wait on hold and be disconnected. Grrrrrr! I’m angry just thinking about it!!
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The removal of receptionist is sadly another way to cut cost. I absolutely hate automated systems. I avoid calling my internet company when there is a problem, because I hate pushing all those buttons and waiting on hold for a human to help me. Receptionst….oh the good ole’ days!
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