Detest automated phone systems!!!

[DWGal210]

I swear, those phone systems that are automated are where customer service goes to die. I just tried to call Blue Cross Blue Shield. You can't press 0 to get someone with a pulse, you have to use the assinine "please speak what you want and I'll find it for you." Grrr!!!!

I finally hung up, so frustrating!!! Don't these companies realize that ticking people off is sooo much more costly than hiring a live person to answer your phones?!?!

 

[bballmom56]

I agree! Sometimes I really need to speak to a live person because my question isn't covered by the automated menu. I have tried saying "representative" and that sometimes gets me to a person. Or I just hang on and don't choose any of the automated choices. BC/BS is one of the most frustrating!

 

[DawnCt1]

I swear, those phone systems that are automated are where customer service goes to die. I just tried to call Blue Cross Blue Shield. You can't press 0 to get someone with a pulse, you have to use the assinine "please speak what you want and I'll find it for you." Grrr!!!!

I finally hung up, so frustrating!!! Don't these companies realize that ticking people off is sooo much more costly than hiring a live person to answer your phones?!?!

http://gethuman.com/print.html Drill down through this site. They have several BCBS work arounds. Delta is always 9/4

 

[dodukes]

LOL Sorry this brought so many mental images of me on the phone. I usually just get frustrated and start hitting 0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0-0 until i get someone....it usually works...LOL...


ETA: Blue Cross and Blue Shield (FLA) 800-333-2227 At first prompt, press 0000 ... just saw this on your website dawn, and i had to post and laugh about it, no wonder it works...lol.

 

[arminnie]

I especially hate the voice recognition ones. I have NEVER had them recognize what I am saying. I am an accomplished public speaker - used to travel internationally giving presentations. I don't think I am the problem. I usually end up saying ^%#^( you before it's over. Makes me long for the old "press 1 for ...." days.

 

[dislaney]

I hate these systems as well. Voice recognition doesn't work all that well when they don't recognize me swearing at them because I'm so frustrated!

 

[Pigeon]

I don't think I am the problem. I usually end up saying ^%#^( you before it's over.

Does the computer recognize that?

I've switched doctors over these systems. My old family practice installed one that would leave you on hold for half an hour and then disconnect you. I don't know how they stayed in business because it was impossible to make an appointment.

 

[HonnyDipp]

I HATE the voice prompts! Especially when its so sensitive it picks up everything in the background. So annoying!

 

[bballmom56]

http://gethuman.com/print.html Drill down through this site. They have several BCBS work arounds. Delta is always 9/4

Very cool! I will be printing that out!!

 

[MIGrandma]

I HATE the voice prompts! Especially when its so sensitive it picks up everything in the background. So annoying!

DH had to make one of those calls the other day, and had to sneeze. He tried to do it quietly but it picked the sound up and said "I'm sorry, I didn't understand..."

I have to use Medco's automated system every 3-months to order my Mom's medications. Most times it goes all right but occasionally there is a problem and it does tend to be frustrating. It would be so nice if you could just talk to a real person and say, "I need to order this, this and this for my Mom." Easy peasy. Nope, you have to jump through all the auto hoops instead.

 

[nmrgrl55]

A couple of years ago I had AOL and was having major issues with them. None of the prompts were what I needed and they kept shifting me around. Well...at one point I was hung up on (!!) and I called back and said "AOL *stinks* " and the computer must have heard that often because it asked me if I was having issues with AOL.

I usually hit 0 or say representative over and over but that doesn't seem to be working lately and I just pick a random option and they transfer me to what I really need

 

[tvguy]

Don't these companies realize that ticking people off is sooo much more costly than hiring a live person to answer your phones?!?!

Actually, I think puttiing people off is SAVING them money. I suspect you were calling to resolve an issue where THEY were going to have to pay for something. Putting off paying a claim SAVES them money.
I've found the most annoying voice mail systems are at your employers health insurance provider, the electric company, the gas company, and water company, all companies you have no choice but to do business with.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I hate these systems! I hate to say it but WDW Reservations is the worst! I am trying to get to someone to price out a trip- the kids are talking/asking for something/sneezing coughing/playing with a toy and it picks it all up! It sends me all over creation because it either doesn't recognize anything or it thinks I requested some random thing. It is so annoying! Aside from locking myself alone in my car there is never complete silence here.

 

[dis-happy]

I respond with nothing but "help please" at the prompt and after a few times the system usually gives up and gives me a person. Worth a try!

 

[arminnie]

I have to use Medco's automated system every 3-months to order my Mom's medications. Most times it goes all right but occasionally there is a problem and it does tend to be frustrating.

I ordered my dad's prescriptions from Medco online. It was so easy. If a prescription had expired they contacted the doctor for a renewal. Much, much better than my Cigna online system.

 

[msmayor]

I curse into the phone, get the "I'm sorry, I did not understand". I do this twice and it usually switches right to an operator.

 

[DWGal210]

Great suggestions!! Dawn, thanks for that link - I will for sure use that!!

I also don't understand why some companies won't let you push 0; one place I called said, at the end of all their prompts, to push 7 for a person. 7?!?! How does that make sense?!

 

[ChrizJen]

I usually end up saying ^%#^( you before it's over. Makes me long for the old "press 1 for ...." days.

Actually I did that once!! I lost it and cursed out the automated lady on the other end, and she came back with a pleasant, "Please wait one moment while I connect you with someone who can help you with that."
Then I got a live person!

 

[Tinkerbell1013]

I had to call Blue Cross Blue Shield 5 times in the past week because of a screw up they made. (That's a whole 'nother gripe right there!) I had the same frustration. I hit 0 and it said, "It' didn't understand." About 15 minutes later I finally got a person. Livid. I hate that thing!

 

[LuvOrlando]

My favorite part is when the pretend person voice says, "We value you as a customer." Ummm, no you don't because if you did you would pay some poor unemployed soul minimum wages to deal with me.