We ere experiencing a high volume of calls at the moment

[OliviaStabler]

Does anyone actually believe this? I know some times of day are busier than others obviously but I always seem to hear this when I reach a call centre, whatever time I call.

Is it just me?

High volume means one more call than the number of people available to answer. This might be 2 calls! You are NBUR it's a useless phrase

Not just you at all, manymany places do this. I expect some study shows that people hang on the line longer when they're 'reassured' like this even when they know it's all lies. Statistics, innit.

BT said this every single time I phoned frequently over about ten years. Just employ enough staff ffs

It just seems a useless thing to say it. Much better if they actually told you the current waiting time then you can decide if you want to hang on or not.

Bollocks, innit?

That's just their standard hold recording.

Even if they're experiencing a very average volume of calls and you're going to be answered in 10 seconds.

I had this on Friday trying to ring the Universal Credit line. After 30 minutes the first time, it seemed I was transferred and someone hung up. The second time was about 35 minutes and I just gave up. Not sure what I'm going to do to try to make the appointment they want me to make.

I prefer the ones that tell you, you're 3rd in the queue. At least you have some hope.

British gas (sometimes) have a system where they say leave your number & we will ring back - which actually works -so for people trying to get help about uc this IS what should happen

YANBU about annoying messages but they won’t tell you what number you are in the queue because for a large organisation you could be position 100 and still get answered quickly but it would be incredibly offputting to be told that.

It peeved me off as I tried to contact M&S and waited 20 minutes to get through only to get cut off. Then I redialled and waited another 25 minutes and got through only for the operator to start dealing with my query, put me on hold then cut me off

I was very polite, promise

I think it’s a standard recorded message because whatever time of day you ring it says the same thing!

I like First Utility. It's the CEO speaking and he advises you to press 1 to leave your number and you will get a call back or 2 listen to some music. You then get a choice of music, Jazz, Pop and something else. It was witty and different plus they answered within minutes.

I like that Autumnchill!