Find a Human
This is a handy list of all the shortcuts to getting to an actual human when calling companies’ support lines. This page needs more publicity and more entries. Spread the word.
Some of my favorites (with my commentary in paranthesis):
- Cingular
- For faster service, press the option that you are looking to close your account, You get the same ppl but an immediate answer. (What? You’re a customer…take a number…we’ll get to you eventually…oh! Wait! You want to leave us! Oh…let’s talk! Right now!)
- Delta
- say “agent” four times – every time it asks for a response from you. (Can I speak to a human? Now? Yes, Can I speak to a human? You mean a real person? Yes, Can I speak to a human? Well…are you sure? Yes, Can I speak to a humane? Sheesh. FINE!)
- AT&T Wireless
- No easy escape (Customers? Bah. They just get in the way…)
3 Comments
…When you DO get through to a human, get their name and extension, keep that for reference WHEN(not IF) you need to call them back.
…Some prompts still default to operator if the user just keeps hitting zero…always try that as a default on first attempt.
Specifically:
US BANK: avoid calling at all costs. Go into the branch to strangle someone live. Trust me, their telephone support sucks ass–they can’t tell you anything more than what you can access yourself on line. People in the branches are better informed (generally).
QWEST: Generally, CSMs are easy to get to, but I’m not sure of the protocol at the moment….hit zero again?
I got another one for you: T-Mobile. When dialing from your cell phone ignore the automated voice and just hit 0. They still ask you for something like you SSN, but you get a person faster than trying to speak to a machine. Does anyone else feel it’s like talking to a wall? Well here the wall echos back. Eerie.
another thing you can do is not hit any numbers. all answering systems need a backup for those still on the old analog rotaries. eventually a live operator has to pick up and send you in the right direction. try it the next time you are in the endless loop.