Rant for today

[Avatard]

Why do I have to enter my account number into my phone to proceed to the next menu, or speak to a representative, if they will only ask me for the same info again? This probably amounts to literally thousands of man hours wasted each year, and yet every time I ask why, the answer is invariably the same:

"It's a new computer system, and we just don't have that information available to us at this time".

Oh really? :scratch::bash::fu2:

/rant

[MILK]

Why do I have to enter my account number into my phone to proceed to the next menu, or speak to a representative, if they will only ask me for the same info again? This probably amounts to literally thousands of man hours wasted each year, and yet every time I ask why, the answer is invariably the same:

"It's a new computer system, and we just don't have that information available to us at this time".

Oh really? :scratch::bash::fu2:

/rant

If I call a company that has voice recognition I just speak gibberish into the phone until a 'representative' comes on the line. It's fun to cuss at them too, "I'm sorry, I didn't recognize that.." :lol:

[Rider]

Automated phone systems FTL. Why the fuck do I need to dial one for English? And please when someone does pick up the phone please speak English as well.

http://cdn2.knowyourmeme.com/i/3088/original/English_Motherfucker_Do_You_Speak_It.jpg

[marko138]

Yeah, that pisses me off too. Don't waste my time.

[Homeslice]

It's probably used to make sure you're an actual customer instead of a prank caller or cold caller.

[Captain Morgan]

I will agree. However, having worked the other end of it, I can speak from experience and say that we had no idea why you were calling. The automated system routes you to someone best able to handle your call (or at least it should) and the rep on the phone simply sees your account on the screen when the call comes in. We always asked for your account number because we had no clue who you were. For all we know, you could have punched a bunch of random numbers into the screen. That said, I would always try to ask your NAME. If the name was the same as the one on the screen and you had multiple accounts, I'd ask which account you wanted to talk about.

We had certain things we had to verify to make sure we were talking to the account owner, but sometimes it helped to ask the account number just to hear how the person answered. We could look at how long the account had been opened and get an idea if they were who they said they were. If some guy called me who'd had his account for 15 years, but had to read the account number off a piece of paper, something would seem fishy and I'd press for more info than was just required. It was just simply one of the things I did, but wasn't necessary for the job.

But I agree, it is annoying to punch your number into the phone, only to have the person ask you what the number was. And yes, sometimes the systems would not populate your account on the screen, but I always let the person know that when asking for the number by saying, "I'm sorry, but your account didn't come up when you called in. Could you tell me your account number so I can bring it up, please?"

[marko138]

I will agree. However, having worked the other end of it, I can speak from experience and say that we had no idea why you were calling. The automated system routes you to someone best able to handle your call (or at least it should) and the rep on the phone simply sees your account on the screen when the call comes in. We always asked for your account number because we had no clue who you were. For all we know, you could have punched a bunch of random numbers into the screen. That said, I would always try to ask your NAME. If the name was the same as the one on the screen and you had multiple accounts, I'd ask which account you wanted to talk about.

We had certain things we had to verify to make sure we were talking to the account owner, but sometimes it helped to ask the account number just to hear how the person answered. We could look at how long the account had been opened and get an idea if they were who they said they were. If some guy called me who'd had his account for 15 years, but had to read the account number off a piece of paper, something would seem fishy and I'd press for more info than was just required. It was just simply one of the things I did, but wasn't necessary for the job.

But I agree, it is annoying to punch your number into the phone, only to have the person ask you what the number was. And yes, sometimes the systems would not populate your account on the screen, but I always let the person know that when asking for the number by saying, "I'm sorry, but your account didn't come up when you called in. Could you tell me your account number so I can bring it up, please?"
Never thought about that. Makes sense, but still annoying. :lol:

[wildchild]

I will agree. However, having worked the other end of it, I can speak from experience and say that we had no idea why you were calling. The automated system routes you to someone best able to handle your call (or at least it should) and the rep on the phone simply sees your account on the screen when the call comes in. We always asked for your account number because we had no clue who you were. For all we know, you could have punched a bunch of random numbers into the screen. That said, I would always try to ask your NAME. If the name was the same as the one on the screen and you had multiple accounts, I'd ask which account you wanted to talk about.

We had certain things we had to verify to make sure we were talking to the account owner, but sometimes it helped to ask the account number just to hear how the person answered. We could look at how long the account had been opened and get an idea if they were who they said they were. If some guy called me who'd had his account for 15 years, but had to read the account number off a piece of paper, something would seem fishy and I'd press for more info than was just required. It was just simply one of the things I did, but wasn't necessary for the job.

But I agree, it is annoying to punch your number into the phone, only to have the person ask you what the number was. And yes, sometimes the systems would not populate your account on the screen, but I always let the person know that when asking for the number by saying, "I'm sorry, but your account didn't come up when you called in. Could you tell me your account number so I can bring it up, please?"


that all makes sense EXCEPT i don't care how long i have a cell phone account i will always have to read the number off of the bill or whatever. probably why it takes them a bit to believe it's me when i call in. LOL

[marko138]

that all makes sense EXCEPT i don't care how long i have a cell phone account i will always have to read the number off of the bill or whatever. probably why it takes them a bit to believe it's me when i call in. LOL
Yeah, there are very few account numbers I have memorized. Bank account is about it.

[z06boy]

I hate that crap too and then have to verify address...blah...blah...blah when I'm just calling to ask a simple question about something.

I understand about establishing ownership of the account but it's still annoying as feck.

[Amorok]

When I call to make a doctor's appointment on base I have to give them my Social Security number, phone number and current address EVERY TIME. The best part is that the person on the phone HAS THE INFORMATION IN FRONT OF THEM! I know this because they work right across the street from me. And yet, I can't walk over and get an appoiintment, I have to call. So the other day I went into the Tricare office and pulled out my cellphone to call for an appointment. I didn't have reception so I picked up a phone no one was sitting in front of and called the appointment line. The girl sitting right next to me answered the phone and I talked to her through the phone, all while looking at her. I would make a joke about military intellignece but these are contractors.

[Tmall]

As soon as I get an automated system, I start saying representative, or operator. It rarely let's me down..

And if they have a long recording, I keep screaming no into the phone in hopes that somebody can hear me.

[marko138]

When I call to make a doctor's appointment on base I have to give them my Social Security number, phone number and current address EVERY TIME. The best part is that the person on the phone HAS THE INFORMATION IN FRONT OF THEM! I know this because they work right across the street from me. And yet, I can't walk over and get an appoiintment, I have to call. So the other day I went into the Tricare office and pulled out my cellphone to call for an appointment. I didn't have reception so I picked up a phone no one was sitting in front of and called the appointment line. The girl sitting right next to me answered the phone and I talked to her through the phone, all while looking at her. I would make a joke about military intellignece but these are contractors.
Now that is funny. And, knowing how Guv works, completely believable.

[Rangerscott]

That's kinda like my 3 months waiting on my drivers license problem. They have all the info the world would need on me and they dont call you if there's a problem.

[Kaneman]

There is not much that pisses me off more and faster than dealing with an automated phone system. First of all, it is insulting, period. Secondly I'm so infuriated by the time that I get to a phone rep I'm liable to track them down and Dexter them when they ask me for my account number.

YOU FUCKING WHORE, I'VE ALREADY ENTERED MY ACCOUNT NUMBER 20 GODDAMN TIMES. If ever there was an excuse to skull fuck someone to death the automated phone service is it. I absolutely dread calling any large company for support, payment or anything else. God, just thinking about it makes me want to eat someone's throat for dinner.

Oh, and the speaking gibberish thing might get you to a rep...or it might get you hung up on by the automated system.

I've been a phone rep before, so I've been on the other side...and dealing with an automated system still makes me want to kill someone.

[Captain Morgan]

that all makes sense EXCEPT i don't care how long i have a cell phone account i will always have to read the number off of the bill or whatever. probably why it takes them a bit to believe it's me when i call in. LOL

I'll agree with that. I'll never know my account number for my phone.

Yeah, there are very few account numbers I have memorized. Bank account is about it.

Well, I was at a brokerage firm, so it was normal for people to know those account numbers if they'd had the account for a few years.

I hate that crap too and then have to verify address...blah...blah...blah when I'm just calling to ask a simple question about something.

I understand about establishing ownership of the account but it's still annoying as feck.

If I just have a question, I tell them so. It usually works. I never gave anybody any hassle if they didn't want verified for a simple question.

As soon as I get an automated system, I start saying representative, or operator. It rarely let's me down..

And if they have a long recording, I keep screaming no into the phone in hopes that somebody can hear me.

Nobody can hear you until the phone switches over to the rep. Sorry to burst your bubble. But I will give you a tip... if they put you on "hold" but you don't hear hold music, they've simply muted their mic and can hear every word you say.