Is anybody there

D

deaver

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I remember years ago when you made a phone call someone answered. Today when you make that same call you will get an answering machine or the phone will just keep ringing. I thought about that for a bit and decided they main reason was that people are tired of dealing with the ranting, demeaning and abusive public. Noone wants to deal with that anymore and so they monitor the call and decide if it is worth responding. You may also find a web site for the place you are calling and it will give you a whole lot of nothing, fancy graphics, funny text message, links to other similar places or persons and a phone number to call that does as described above...
 

The automated answering things are cheaper than paying someone to answer a phone. Also quite irritating...

If given a choice between a business with the automated thing and one with a real person I always take the real person. However that's getting harder to find.

And I agree, websites can be good for a first look and screening, but rarely help with more complex questions.
 
Rob's right, an automated answering service is cheaper than hiring people, but it's a poor substitute when it comes to customer service. Often, you can't find an answer to your question. It's frustrating. I'm convinced businesses don't want you to call. They prefer to deal with customers via chat or email. It's easier, so they don't have to hear your voice and deal with you on a more "personal" level. And the music they play while you're on never-ending hold is designed to be so irritating that you want to hang up! All of it has become more and more annoying as time goes on.
 

Jules said:
One of the worst offenders is my telephone provider. It’s a miracle to even find the number to call.
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We left Telus for Shaw several years ago and when one called them a real person answered, now they are as bad as Telus. You call and hear all the "if this is blah blah,push 1 more blah".
 
Or how about when the "automated attendant" doesn't understand you?

Me, after listening to all my "options": "Attendant"

Automated Attendant: "I'm sorry, I don't understand your response."

Me: "ATTENDANT!"

A.A.: "I'm sorry, 10 is not a valid extension."

Me: "ATTENDANT! ATTENDANT! ATTENDANT!

A.A.: "Do you want to speak to someone about tents?"

Me: "A LIVE PERSON!"

A.A.: "For information about our live performances, please press 5."

Me: "Agent! Supervisor! Bozo the Clown! ANYBODY!"

A.A.: "All our customer service agents are currently busy. Please hold and someone will be with you as soon as possible.

Disconnects me.
 
jujube said:
Or how about when the "automated attendant" doesn't understand you?

Me, after listening to all my "options": "Attendant"

Automated Attendant: "I'm sorry, I don't understand your response."

Me: "ATTENDANT!"

A.A.: "I'm sorry, 10 is not a valid extension."

Me: "ATTENDANT! ATTENDANT! ATTENDANT!

A.A.: "Do you want to speak to someone about tents?"

Me: "A LIVE PERSON!"

A.A.: "For information about our live performances, please press 5."

Me: "Agent! Supervisor! Bozo the Clown! ANYBODY!"

A.A.: "All our customer service agents are currently busy. Please hold and someone will be with you as soon as possible.

Disconnects me.
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It's not really funny though, because it's frustrating and time-consuming.
 
When I was a kid (late 50s 60s) you only had one phone that had its own table in the hall or the kitchen wall. When someone called, most probably you knew them. Today, everybody and his grandmother uses robocalling. The phone isn't a big thing anymore.
One of the things I detest is calling medical offices, pharmacies, etc. Yes, I know to call '911' if I'm taking my last breath. And no, I don't want to listen to all your Covid 19 precautions. Nor do I care if you are monitoring this call for training purposes. And then, I get to listen to a long menu of options, NONE of which is the reason why I called.
 
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I'm considering doing my own recording when the leave your number and we'll call you back option is given;

I'm sorry, I'm busy pooping right now
Your call is important to me
otherwise, I wouldn't have called you...duh
Your call will be answered in the order it came
Approximate wait time; less than two hours (probably)
 
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oh i love leaving messages on my answering machine, unfortunately I can't say them here....lmao
 

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