Customer Service Phone Call
With Christmas bringing new toys for people this year, there will be an increase in needing to call companies for service. I drew on my former job as an operator for Countrywide Homeloans to write a brief 'help' manual for those of you who get frustrated or don't have much luck with the company phone trees.
Zero. Use the zero first. If it doesn't prompt a response from the automated system, and it's one o them newfangled voice operated ones, say "Operator" repeatedly. Usually the key is using 0 or operator about three times, though there are some tenacious systems that require 5 demands or more.
The first person you talk to will be nothing more than a glorified gofer; make a note of their name. State your problem concisely. They will probably tell you (truthfully) they can't do anything, then they will transfer you to another department. Take down the name/title of the department you are being transferred to, because at this point, the line will probably disconnect.
Call back. Use '0' or 'operator'. When you get a human, tell them who you spoke to the first time and where you were being transferred to. If they ask, quickly state your concise problem.
When you reach the second tier (which... hopefully will be the last you need) take down the name of THAT operator. State your concise problem. When they tell you their options, take notes.
You may have to repeat this process several times, but eventually you will be able to speak with someone who is able to help or give you the information you need. Unfortunately the way phone customer service works is very very weird and not entirely helpful, but patience is the key.
Fight. WIN!
Zero. Use the zero first. If it doesn't prompt a response from the automated system, and it's one o them newfangled voice operated ones, say "Operator" repeatedly. Usually the key is using 0 or operator about three times, though there are some tenacious systems that require 5 demands or more.
The first person you talk to will be nothing more than a glorified gofer; make a note of their name. State your problem concisely. They will probably tell you (truthfully) they can't do anything, then they will transfer you to another department. Take down the name/title of the department you are being transferred to, because at this point, the line will probably disconnect.
Call back. Use '0' or 'operator'. When you get a human, tell them who you spoke to the first time and where you were being transferred to. If they ask, quickly state your concise problem.
When you reach the second tier (which... hopefully will be the last you need) take down the name of THAT operator. State your concise problem. When they tell you their options, take notes.
You may have to repeat this process several times, but eventually you will be able to speak with someone who is able to help or give you the information you need. Unfortunately the way phone customer service works is very very weird and not entirely helpful, but patience is the key.
Fight. WIN!