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AIBU?

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Original poster

Have I just been mocked?

77 replies

StealthPolarBear · 13/01/2018 11:07

Was on a call about our broadband. I was told twice what a wonderful lady I was and how it had been such a pleasure to talk to such a wonderful lady as myself and if the rest of his customers were like me he'd be very pleased. I was also asked twice to forgive him for sounding awkward as he had a cold.

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AstridWhite · 13/01/2018 12:23

Not mocked, no. Patronised possibly....

But maybe as a cold colder which surely must the worst fucking job in the world, he was just genuinely grateful that you didn't swear at him or hang up.

Jassylaunderette · 13/01/2018 12:29

Very odd. He wasn't trying to get money out of you was he?
If it's genuine and scripted then I'm sorry for him.

NotACleverName · 13/01/2018 12:39

I get marked down in my reviews if I’m straight to the point, which is what the customers generally want.

The management are all about making it sound nice but never focus on the issues that really need resolving.

Same here. I'd rather just get straight to the point, but management want us to try and build rapport with customers, which you can't really do on a five minute call to book them an appointment. It feels very forced and I'd rather not do it, but I don't want to get marked down either.

PocketCoffeeEspresso · 13/01/2018 12:42

It's going to be his patter. I confess when I call into these places I turn on my friendly, know what I need, but slightly fluffy persona, because I find that being a bit 'we're all in this together' can get me things that I otherwise might not get.

When it comes to broadband though, I just pay for the business line these days - when I first moved to my old place, it was the only way to get broadband (ha!. < 1Meg), and it turns out, that they don't throttle it, and that when you call up you get through to an actual tech that can actually help, which the few times you need it, is worth its weight in gold.

MatildaTheCat · 13/01/2018 12:42

Don’t try ringing Amazon. It was so stilted and scripted that I actually asked him if he was real or a computer.

And I was being serious.

And I agree, it’s painful being asked about how your day is going etc. I’d be tempted to tell them in real time just how it’s going but then again I haven’t got the energy.

PocketCoffeeEspresso · 13/01/2018 12:43

All my correspondence from BT is now addressed to Lady Oldraver...and I dont correct them on a call just try not to giggle all the way through

I once worked with a guy who's initials were DR - and he said it got him upgrades on flights and all sorts of preferential treatment because people assumed he was a Doctor. I don't know if that would be the case now (20 years later)

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 13/01/2018 12:59

I'd love to know if they also gush at the wonderful lovely men.

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TakeTheCrown · 13/01/2018 12:59

I worked at a customer services call centre till recently, and sometimes felt grateful to have a civilized person on the end of the phone.

We can't help the long waiting times (I used to get stressed out by the wait too, with the "There are 37 callers waiting" display flashing away at me), we don't choose the crappy tinny music, or the guidance scripts (our calls were often monitored by supervisors so couldn't deviate very far or commiserate with what a shit company it is), and also we aren't - usually - responsible for whatever is making people so furious... There would sometimes be an irate person screaming that they'd been hung up on, swearing their heads off, but if they were showing no sign of calming down I would terminate the call too.

Anyway, back on topic - sometimes we are just that pleased to be speaking to a nice person...

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 13/01/2018 13:01

Oh and he wasnt a cold caller.
And while I was polite I did not encourage the gushing. Continue the small talk etc.

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MysweetAudrina · 13/01/2018 13:09

Is it bad that I read all of the call centre responses in an Indian accent in my mind. It reminds me of the best exotic marigold hotel. Maybe they need some lessons from Dame Judy in how to converse with UK based customers.

BulletFox · 13/01/2018 13:17

Just get the broadband sorted and put in a complaint about the call centre if you want to

jaseyraex · 13/01/2018 13:24

I think their script is annoying at most, but I wouldn't say you were mocked. One of them kept calling my DH "friend" once. In the way some people say mate or buddy, but he kept using friend. It was very odd. Also once when they asked for my DH name he told them it was irrelevant and they called him Mr Irrelevant for the rest of the call. That was probably a bit mocking Grin

IrkThePurist · 13/01/2018 13:25

Nobody likes the scripts they use so why do they still do it?

IntoTheFloodAgain · 13/01/2018 13:28

DH name he told them it was irrelevant and they called him Mr Irrelevant for the rest of the call. That was probably a bit mocking grin

😂😂😂😂😂😂 this is the best thing I’ve read in a while

MynewnameisKy · 13/01/2018 13:34

Perhaps he was new and socially awkward and you could give him the benefit of the doubt.

Leigha3 · 13/01/2018 13:35

Wow a lifetime of little to no experience with customer service in the UK really has made some people paranoid. 🤣

Maybe saying "wonderful lady" was a bit awkward but JFC why not just appreciate that someone was actually trying to be nice vs the usual "I CBA to do my actual job let alone be civil about it" attitude you get from most people who work in customer service positions here.

PriaMaicel · 13/01/2018 13:37

Hopefully he was taking the piss, zero job satisfaction in being a call centre tech support agent so you've got to have a laugh where you can.
However the most likely scenario is that he was new and still trying to be nice. It can be really difficult masking your disdain for the imbeciles that call tech support, so well done him 👍👍

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 13/01/2018 13:51

OK. Point taken. It made me uncomfortable and even if it was the script it felt incredibly awkward. Assuming it was the script the people who suggest or incentives them to use them are bloody idiots.
Does anyone know if wonderful man is the equivalent? I can't imagine it but before today I couldn't imagine being called wonderful lady either. And for the record I have called this particular helpline plenty of times before.

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BigbreastsBiggerbeard · 13/01/2018 13:51

I find the same with Amazon and Ebay. It's utterly freaky. They are so obsequious it's unnerving. But at the same time, it often feels like they are not actually listening properly. And they do sound like robots...How do they get them all to sound like that??

thegreatbeyond · 13/01/2018 13:52

Yes, amazon are very bad for it. I email them and the responses are very bizarre - overegging the proverbial pudding with apologies for something like asking for a £5 refund. I mean, I do want my fiver back, but no, it has not caused me 'terrible distress'.

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 13/01/2018 13:52

Yes to not listening. Or rather if you give an answer which deviates from their script they don't like it

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BigbreastsBiggerbeard · 13/01/2018 15:09

It drags the interaction out to such a ridiculous extent. All those bundles of unnecessary words and and then at the end, being questioned numerous times about whether they've answered my query....

Who TRAINS these people??

MynewnameisKy · 13/01/2018 15:31

It could also be that he has autism/ aspergers. Dd would struggle with spontaneity in a conversation but could probably work with a script type conversation. She is fine with functional language just gets thrown of by social language. Couldn't imagine her telling anyone they're "a wonderful lady" though.

Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 13/01/2018 15:56

Hmm I suppose.

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Original poster
StealthPolarBear · 13/01/2018 20:56

The more I think about this the more of a fool I feel

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