They say that doing the same thing over and over again expecting something new to happen is a sign of insanity.
They say that doing the same thing over and over again and expecting something new to happen is a sign of insanity.
Recently I have spent a while on the phone with my bank, my cell phone company, my credit card company – and it really gets really old waiting each time to key through some automated menu when I know I need to talk to a rep. ‘Cause none of them have an automated option to ask an account question, cancel an account, or waive a fee… hmm go figure.
“To waive a fee press 5.” I’d be pressing that button all the time.
Try this. If it’s one of those new voice activated menus just say “customer service” 7 or 8 times. Go ahead and be rude to the machine. It likes it. The minute it starts to talk to you, interrupt. Watch this:
[On the phone with customer service] “Welcome to sprint.” Customer service. Customer Service. “Sure I can help you with that.” Customer service. “Okay, Let me get someone to help.” Just keep saying it. They’ll do what ever you want.
It’s especially helpful if you are calling from a cell phone and you don’t want to blow through your minutes!
Now If it’s an older touch tone system, you can do the same thing. Just keep pressing 0 everytime the automated voice comes back – even if it says “invalid entry”. There are a few phone systems that will eventually disconnect you. Most will just put you right through to real live human being.
[pressing 0 on the phone over and over] They’re getting the message.
Now if they’ve out sourced all their customer service to india or China then the madness may have just begun. But hey, you’re talking to a human being even if english is their second language.
So the next time an automated phone menu is driving you nuts save a bit of you sanity, act crazy and do the same thing over and over again until they give you what you want!
It works… Usually.
[pressing 0 on the phone over and over] Watch our show. Watch our show. Watch our show. Watch our show… You’ll eventually do it.
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8 Comments
The Chuck That is Norris
"Welcome to something-or-other! Now, just tell me what your--" "Customer service!" "Let's try that again." "Customer service!" "Sure, I can help you with that" "Customer ...exclamation
I love you! Um... that may have been a bit strong. :) I've spent way too long on these automated phone ...ColinUK
Even when you're told you'll be transferred, you xan be waiting 20+ minutes for someone. It's reached the point now ...Pheonix_blu{207}
I love you WYOTK, I use this trick all the time now when I come up against thost stupid voice ...Adrazar
One thing I was told before is that if you say that you speak Spanish then you get someone in ...jordanpedde
another trick that works with some of these is that if you don't do anything and wait it will end ...Allan
Persistence pays. One time, I actually dialed random numbers when the system said "if you know your party's extension, dial ...Meandering
Very helpful. No more waiting for the customer service option, I'll get what I want, when I want!