Tsk, tsk. I actually used to work for a banking call center, and people would zero out all the time. Sometimes it became problematic, though, because they wouldn’t even choose their language option first, and you’d have a caller who spoke only French, reaching a rep who spoke only English.
Oh, the stories I could tell you about some of the nutjobs we used to get on the phone…
2.
John S.
Oh, the stories I could tell you about some of the nutjobs we used to get on the phone…
I’ve heard most of them. My best friend is a corporatetrainer for American Express’ customer service employees.
My conclusion: People are scary.
3.
Krista
That they are…especially late at night and on weekends. That’s when we got the really interesting ones…like the drunk guy who called because he had his…ahem…appendage, caught in the passbook update machine.
4.
Mary
So he was going to screw the bank like it screwed him?
5.
Bruce from Missouri
I can also tell you that some companies have software designed to tell if the customer is angry. If you curse into the phone while dealing with Fedex, it will take you straight to an operator. It’s worked for me on at least one occasion.
6.
circlethewagons
I always acted as if I had a rotary phone – generally got right through to a human.
7.
bev
Boy. They are NOT kidding when they say that there’s “no easy escape” with AT&T Wireless’ voice-activated system. That system forces you to talk to it and tell it your problems and no saying “agent” or “operator” or standing on 0 or # will get you out of it. The sing-songy happy voice just says that she’s sorry, but she just can’t understand you and to try again. It’s designed to get you to give up.
Maybe cursing like Bill says. It’d sure be easy to do since “just get me a f*cking operator” is usually what I’m thinking.
8.
Krista
So he was going to screw the bank like it screwed him?
Evidently.
I tell ya, you want to turn into a cynical, heartless human being? Work on the telephone for customer service for 7 years. People will say things to a rep on the phone that they would NEVER consider saying to someone’s face. I’ve had threats of death, dismemberment, rape, the whole gamut. And the irony is that the people who were angriest were usually mostly responsible for the screwup in the first place.
Comments are closed.
Share this ArticleLike this article? Email it to a friend!
Krista
Tsk, tsk. I actually used to work for a banking call center, and people would zero out all the time. Sometimes it became problematic, though, because they wouldn’t even choose their language option first, and you’d have a caller who spoke only French, reaching a rep who spoke only English.
Oh, the stories I could tell you about some of the nutjobs we used to get on the phone…
John S.
I’ve heard most of them. My best friend is a corporatetrainer for American Express’ customer service employees.
My conclusion: People are scary.
Krista
That they are…especially late at night and on weekends. That’s when we got the really interesting ones…like the drunk guy who called because he had his…ahem…appendage, caught in the passbook update machine.
Mary
So he was going to screw the bank like it screwed him?
Bruce from Missouri
I can also tell you that some companies have software designed to tell if the customer is angry. If you curse into the phone while dealing with Fedex, it will take you straight to an operator. It’s worked for me on at least one occasion.
circlethewagons
I always acted as if I had a rotary phone – generally got right through to a human.
bev
Boy. They are NOT kidding when they say that there’s “no easy escape” with AT&T Wireless’ voice-activated system. That system forces you to talk to it and tell it your problems and no saying “agent” or “operator” or standing on 0 or # will get you out of it. The sing-songy happy voice just says that she’s sorry, but she just can’t understand you and to try again. It’s designed to get you to give up.
Maybe cursing like Bill says. It’d sure be easy to do since “just get me a f*cking operator” is usually what I’m thinking.
Krista
Evidently.
I tell ya, you want to turn into a cynical, heartless human being? Work on the telephone for customer service for 7 years. People will say things to a rep on the phone that they would NEVER consider saying to someone’s face. I’ve had threats of death, dismemberment, rape, the whole gamut. And the irony is that the people who were angriest were usually mostly responsible for the screwup in the first place.