Tired of those phone systems that ask you a million questions, only to take you to a place you don’t want to go? Wouldn’t you love to talk to a REAL person so you can get some actual help for a change?
Then try some of these tips that just might get you to a real live person!
- Speak Spanish. If you reach the Spanish speaking employee, chances are you will be connected to someone who is bilingual.
- Hit zero. Some of the older phone systems will send you to an operator when you do this. If zero does not work, press numbers arbitrarily, including the # symbol.
- Speak very quietly. Some phone systems are programmed to connect you to a person if the computer program does not understand you. You can also try speaking gibberish to confuse the phone’s computer system.
- Select “Cancel Service.” More than likely a person will be on the phone with you instantly.
- Say “get human.”
- Don’t push any buttons or say anything, pretending that you are calling from a rotary phone.
- Use an 800 number if possible, which usually has a shorter wait time.
- Opt for a corporate directory. Press any letter as if you are looking for someone who has that letter in their name. Select whichever name the system gives you.
- And finally, my favorite. CURSE! Many answering systems are programmed to detect angry cursing, which often puts you next in line!
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23 April 2010, 3:43 am
I hate the automated voice systems because without fail as soon as the ask me a question the dog barks or the child yells messing the whole thing up. Though, now it makes sense why I never wait on those systems, they hear me swearing at the dog or kid and they answer right away.
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Katherine Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 3:09 am
So it WORKS LOL!
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23 April 2010, 12:42 pm
FINALLY a list I can use! I’ll definitely have to save it.
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Katherine Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 3:09 am
I can’t wait to get one of these services so I can speak Spanish… haven’t tried that one yet!
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23 April 2010, 11:47 pm
Those systems are so annoying. I just start pressing buttons and sometimes I get lucky.
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27 April 2010, 6:59 pm
These are some great suggestions. I have tried the arbitrarily pressing buttons. Sometimes it works but sometimes the system hangs up on me.
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Katherine Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 3:04 am
Anne, I’ve been hung up on by pushing the wrong buttons, even when I didn’t MEAN to push those buttons!
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27 April 2010, 11:29 pm
Oh, I hate those lines that have the voice recognition! My electric company has it and makes it so much more difficult to pay my bill over the phone!
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Katherine Reply:
April 28th, 2010 at 3:03 am
That’s crazy… you are just trying to pay your bill and they are making it hard!
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28 April 2010, 7:51 pm
I’ve heard that repeatedly pressing buttons often “breaks” the automated system and connects you to a person. From my experience, it works about 50% of the time. The other 50% leads to a disconnected call.
Great list of tips!
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14 May 2010, 11:23 pm
This is a terrific list!! I’m rather fond of cursing, myself — it’s always worked to get me on the line with a human being and fast! I like the idea of speaking Spanish, though; it’s certainly a more tactful option!
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06 June 2010, 4:36 pm
Nice & cool one …..
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