FREAKING Automated answerer's!!

[draftermatt]

I think I know why tech support people always get mad people.

The automated answering. I called Dell about a recent purchase. Go through all the number pushing, and saying "Yes" "no" "none of those" etc. Which I hate that too, you feel like a moron talking to a machine.

So I go thorugh all of this, and get a dial tone. Twice.

I do not intend to go SC on anyone, but its so freaking frustrating!!!

[protege]

I hate those things! Getting a dialtone sucks. Then you have to call back, and (hopefully) remember all the options you chose. Give me a real person already!

[Mr. Rager!]

Just start swearing into your receiver...

[Phoenix79]

For those in the US, this site might help.
http://www.gethuman.com/us/

I noticed they don't have one listed for Dell, though. Only Dell Financial services.

I guess the link is for future reference! ;)

Phoenix

[MadMike]

I don't mind them for something simple, like getting an account balance, but they're a royal PITA when it's something I actually need to speak to a human about. Even worse when it's not clear which option you should choose. I've gotten lost in those things quite a few times.

[KuzcoLlama]

You mean you don't start drinking the minute you start one of those automated things? It is the best way for it to be fun instead.

[Crosshair]

I use one of those for my perscriptions. You just call the number, enter your perscripton #, your phone #, and what time you want to pick it up. Quick and painless.

[DGoddessChardonnay]

I use one of those for my perscriptions. You just call the number, enter your perscripton #, your phone #, and what time you want to pick it up. Quick and painless.

My mom and my brother both use that and it's wonderful.

However, there are some occasions where one needs to speak to another human being. Tech support comes to mind (and I've made enough calls to fund a third world country back when I had DSL) Wading through countless options and entering information/confirming accuracy of information/et al is a royal PITA.

I've had my taxes done over the phone in less than 10 minutes (back when TeleFile was an option) yet I have to spend at least 15 minutes on hold just to push MORE buttons so I can (hopefully) get a human being for DSL support.:rant:

[Barefootgirl]

Quite often, if you don't speak or push any buttons, they default you off to a real live operator. Which is nice.

[Sunsetsky]

I hate those too. I had to call T-mobile to get something sorted out and it took me forever just to talk to someone. What's worse is that I was at the actual store and they had me call the help center from their desk. By the time I actually GOT someone to talk to on the phone, the sales representative in front of me figured out how to take care of the problem himself.

[MadMike]

Quite often, if you don't speak or push any buttons, they default you off to a real live operator. Which is nice.

And some of them simply hang up on you.

[dispatch]

yeah, trying to get a refund for airline tickets I didn't use was an experience that's still not sorted out. the airline and the travel agency both had systems that ran you around in circles and hung up on you
one time I was on hold for 15 minutes waiting, and then got a message that the department was too busy and I'd have to call back later or write in *click....booooooooooooop*. I let loose with a primal scream so loud and tortured that my dogs didn't come out of hiding for about an hour

[Seanette]

Believe me, the poor peon you finally reach doesn't like the automated system any better than you do, since he/she gets griped at about it at least a dozen times a day. [sigh]

[draftermatt]

Believe me, the poor peon you finally reach doesn't like the automated system any better than you do, since he/she gets griped at about it at least a dozen times a day. [sigh]

I'm sure they do. I never go off on them (anymore, I've gotten better as I've matured). But I do sometimes mention that the answering system sucks (polietly)