My rant of the day - Automated phone systems

[RobM77]

Am I just impatient, or does this wind you up as well?

Earier on, I wanted to call my local Vodaphone store, so I got 'their' number off Yell.com, went outside, and dialled. This is what I got:


"This number is chargeable, and will be charged at your standard rate. If you do not wish to continue, please hang up now".

get on with it!!..the phone rings..

"Welcome to Vodaphone, if you require help unblocking your phone or need a PUK code: please press 1. If you require advice on a lost or stolen handset: please press 2. If you have enquiry about a mobile phone that you have recently bought from Vodaphone: please press 3."

I press 3

"At this time you may like to know that you can benefit from phone insurance. Just speak to an assistant in store who will supply you with details of the latest offers. Now please press 1 if you have an enquiry about a 'pay as you talk' phone, or press 2 for all other enquiries."

I press 2

"Please enter your phone number in full, followed by the hash key on your phone"

I pull the phone down from my ear and enter my phone number in full, followed by #

"Welcome to Vodaphone stores. If you require help unblocking your phone or need a PUK code, please press 1. If you require advice on a lost or stolen handset, please press 2. If you have enquiry about a mobile phone that you have recently bought from Vodaphone, please press 3."

I press 3

"At this point you might like to know that the Vodaphone website provides lots of useful information on your phone and contract. PLease visit us at www.vodaphone.co.uk, or hold for more information."

"Would you like to speak to a particular store? Please press 1 for yes, and 2 for no"

I press 1

"You would like to speak to a particular store. You can either say the name of a town after the tone or say your postcode, and then we will find a store for you"

I say 'Basingstoke'

"Did you say 'Basingstoke'? please say yes or no"

I say "yes"

"Please hold whilst we transfer you to Vodaphone store Basingstoke. At this point you may like to know that we are currently offering free handsets and three months free insurance on all new phones - just ask in store for details"

I hold - then.. a phone starts ringing! result!

"all our agents are currently busy, please call back later"

arghhhh!!

I thought that phoning someone was supposed to be a quick way of contacting them? I could have driven to the store in the time it took to make that call! And it would have cost less!

[Plotloss]

Mobile phone companies LOVE IVR's

They love them because, for activations, Vodafone themselves achieved ROI on a £2.5m IVR in under 10 hours at Christmas 2003.

Never mind customer satisfaction, its about the cost of fielding calls you see...

[spdpug98]

I have just moved house, every single company I phoned to advise of my change of address had an automated system - Why can't we just speak to a human, it would make things so much easier

>> Edited by spdpug98 on Monday 30th January 14:18

[.Flyer]

This BOFH entry from The Register wiil certainly resonate with you

[JMGS4]

What was the trick that Hamster Hammond got that Yank to find to crack these stupid systems *#*#*#*#*#*# 3 or 4 times until you're connected to a real peep????

[Plotloss]

JMGS4 said:

What was the trick that Hamster Hammond got that Yank to find to crack these stupid systems *#*#*#*#*#*# 3 or 4 times until you're connected to a real peep????

Depends on how they are programmed.

Some have whats called a 'barge', some dont.

There was a website I saw the other day that listed all the big financial institutions barge codes, cant remember where though.