Tricks to talk to a human

MSE_Martin

Automated Call Centres. Lets beat them together.

There's a site in the US that lists tricks for different automated call answering systems over there (http://paulenglish.com/ivr/) that gets you through to a human quickly.

My aim is to start a similar database here in the UK. Initially I'm going to do it here on the forum, but if enough people submit methods, I will get the techies to develop a database tool to make it easier to check and use.

How to submit

Just enter the details like this

Company/Purpose: e.g. Amex card hotline
Automated Number: (if you know it)
How to talk to a person:

Thanks MoneySavers

Martin

black-saturn

I don't know if this is the sort of thing you want but this is all I can think of off the top of my head:

Company: Regent Palace Hotel, Piccadilly Circus bookings.
Automated Number: 0207 7340716
How to Talk to A person: Don't press any of the automated options. If you do this you will get through to a computer which will charge you a good £10 or £15 extra on top for using that service. Instead stay on the line without pressing any options. Then you will get put through to the friendly staff at the hotel who will book you the room at their standard rate with no booking fees on top. Rooms range from £35 to £100 per night. And you don't need a credit card to book.

Hope this is the kind of thing you mean?

madfrenchgirl

DVLA
cant remember the number
press the option for the fine claim dept (even if it is not for a fine) and ask them to transfer you to the right dept

dwhl

I think this works for a lot of companies but can't for the life of me remember what they are called

When you ring the automated call centre the options normally require you to punch in your option with a "touch tone" phone.

However, if you have a "pulse" phone or PRETEND to have one you are unable to do this.

Normally, at the end of the list of options given to you, it will say if you do not have a touch tone phone continue to hold. You will then normally be put through to a human being!

Hope this helps someone

shammyjack

The basic advise is on reaching any automated system or recorded voice is do nothing at all just let it go through its program and 9 times out of ten after a 30 or 40 seconds you will get " please wait while we transfer you to an advisor 2 or similar .

This is the back up system for old style non touch tone phones and nearly allways works !

shammy

Heinz

Not only is that link very interesting from the thread title's point of view, have a look at the (American) telephone numbers!

They're nearly all '800' numbers - freephone - a bit different from rip-off Britain with its plethora of money-making 0870 numbers.

DonnyDave

IIRC the DVLA has a voice recognition system on if you don't press any numbers.

bootcampbilly

link doesn't work

Heinz

bootcampbilly wrote:

link doesn't work

It did earlier. Perhaps the server's down in the States.

gabrielharrison

With T-Mobile you got through to a human if you pretended you'd lost your phone. I'm with O2 now so not sure if it has changed.

Gabriel

gabrielharrison

The best trick with BT I've found is to ignore all the questions. Don't be put off by the fact it repeats the question and right at the end asks you to press # or something.