Tricks to talk to a human

Heinz

derrick wrote:

0169553760 same menu lower call charge

We're in danger here of duplicating the good work done on the SayNoTo0870.com site.

The reason Martin started this thread was to try to collate information on how to get past the 'disembodied voices' on such systems. The rip-off call costs on some which use 084/087 numbers and then keep you on hold is a separate issue although, of course, getting to speak to a human quickly saves on the call cost too.

rosamundi_2

Nearly relevant is that it was suggested to me that anytime I wanted to get through to a big company, and a human being, go straight to their Sales dept as those phone were naturally answered quickest and were often 0800 free numbers. Then ask to be put through. This has worked very well in the past. Particularly with insurance companies as their inter-office connections are usually well maintained and it has occasionally circumvented multi-choice.

Art_2

A lot of people are not reading the previous posts on this thread as they are repeating suggestions that have already been made by others.

Please read the thread to make sure you are not simply repeating someone elses post.

Regards,
Art.

gromituk

Agreed. After all, it might be hassle for you to read before posting, but it's an awful lot more hassle for everyone else to read instead!

Dagobert

iceburn wrote:

she said "you must be in UK."

They might be able to see your caller id, in which case they would know if you are phoning from the UK.

However, if you prefix their landline number with 141 to withhold your number, they won't be able to tell. This will even work in conjunction with indirect access phone providers such as call1899 (141 1899 .....)

Last week I phoned A&L using the landline number specified for international calls (0113) 2541566. They checked with me where I was phoning from; as I assumed they might see my number displayed anyway, I said "UK". I was told to ring the (0845) 9 262626 as only they would be able to take me through security.

That seemed a whole lot of nonsense and so it was: To-day, I phoned the same landline number but this time withholding my number. When asked where I was phoning from, I said "abroad". She even asked from which country! Anyway, I named the country and she then went through the security checks.

gromituk

Dagobert wrote:

They might be able to see your caller id, in which case they would know if you are phoning from the UK.

However, if you prefix their landline number with 141 to withhold your number, they won't be able to tell.

...

To-day, I phoned the same landline number but this time withholding my number. When asked where I was phoning from, I said "abroad". She even asked from which country! Anyway, I named the country and she then went through the security checks.

Yes, when I phoned them I withheld my number; I was just more honest about where I was calling from!

longusername

Um, why not do it the intelligent way and log all these numbers etc directly on the site kindly provided by Mr. English. He has a drop down for country in the update window. Just select UK and do what they do in the US. Keep it simple!

Don't ya think? I mean, who really wants to wade through this bottle of ketchup every time?

Wee job for someone. Put all the info on the web site itself. Hope this hasn't already been mentioned. Didn't have time to read through everything.

Cheers.

LUN

Art_2

longusername wrote:

Um, why not do it the intelligent way and log all these numbers etc directly on the site kindly provided by Mr. English. He has a drop down for country in the update window. Just select UK and do what they do in the US. Keep it simple!

Don't ya think? I mean, who really wants to wade through this bottle of ketchup every time?

Wee job for someone. Put all the info on the web site itself. Hope this hasn't already been mentioned. Didn't have time to read through everything.

Cheers.

LUN

If you'd have done it the intellegent way and read Martin's original post in this thread you would have seen that was the idea to put all the numbers on one list!

Regards,
Art.

Halaku

The other day, I called up the local gas board about a fault in one of our gas meters, and was put through to a robot asking for my meter number and address. I figured it was one of those voice recognition thingies, so I thought I'd test it out saying the information as fast and rushed as I could. I dunno how, but somehow the voice managed to work it out!

scheming_gypsy

i've just read through all 8 pages of this and have slightly moist trousers after laughing at some of the suggestions.


Basically i work for an insurance call centre and configure the phone switch so i do all the IVR's and routings etc. I can't say all systems are the same but if the call centre you're calling is using an Avaya Definity using VAL cards and not an external IVR then the routing is something like..
collect 1 digit after announcement *****
goto step * if digit = x
goto step * if digit = y
goto step * if digit = z


etc etc if you don't press anything then the call automatically goes to the next step which is usually option 1. If you press random numbers you're not confusing anything, if you bang your hand on the phone and pressing them all you're still not confusing it. You'll either not press one of the options and then goto the next step and go through to an agent or you'll press a digit that it's looking for and route to that number.

In our call centre calls are allocated on an ACD system (automatic call distribution) where each agent has the skill sets that enables them to take the calls they're trained on. If you press random numbers you can go through to somebody who isn't trained and can't help you. All they'll do is transfer you back into the queue for the right team, so you might as well just press the right buttons yourself.
Sometimes the options do go through to the same teams but they need them for reporting purposes.

For the people who are quite happy to sit and listen to the options twice, haven't you ever realised that if you pressed the right button you'd probably be speaking to an agent a lot quicker?