To think this is a blatant lie

[TheShellBeach]

..........................when call centres say "we are currently experiencing high call volumes at present" because everyone you phone says this, even when they answer immediately.

I reckon it's just a way to get people to give up and hang up.

Oh and don't get me started on "you can find the answers to your questions on our website" which is absolutely not true, because your shitey website is the reason I'm calling you today.

Looking at you, Scottish Power.

I also do not appreciate your horrible music blaring into my ears while I'm hanging on.

It is - there’s a whole Martin Lewis campaign about it

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/report-high-call-volumes/

And as for "thank you for your patience - your call will be answered shortly" well, that's just not true, is it?

Ha! I knew it was a conspiracy.

I'm executor for my mate and have had to make a LOT of calls in the last 2 weeks. I'm amazed I haven't scratched my own eyes out in frustration yet. I swear companies just can't be arsed to fund a return to pre COVID levels of staffing/service and have just left the recorded messages on their systems from 2020 . . . . .

Have you worked in a call centre before OP, please tell me your experience for you to form your opinion?

also phone the company and let them know your genre of music so they can accommodate your personal preferences 🙄

Your call is important to us, please hold and we will be with you as quickly as possible

If my call was that fucking important to you, there would be staff there to fucking answer the bastarding thing!

And BREATHE !. . . . . .

Ugh.
I changed energy companies from Scottish Power to E-on because Scottish Power suddenly charged me £590 for a month's electricity, when it's never more than £155 in the winter, and is usually £75 in the summer.

So I gave up and changed companies - but trying to get my refund from Scottish Power is proving very, very difficult.

Bastards.

Yanbu! I love the (admittedly few) companies who tell you your position in the queue. It makes such a difference.

Agreed.

I have not.

I have worked as a midwife though, and I would not say to patients that I would get to them eventually if they hung on at the end of a phone. For hours. Or days.

Ooh yes.

Although being told you're number 17 in the queue isn't exactly encouraging.

Our old GP surgery used to tell us how far down the queue we were.

I rather liked being told that there were only four patients before me. It gave me hope.

Mind you, having moved to a small village in Scotland has changed all that, because they answer immediately and know who you are, too.

And you get an appointment that day (or occasionally the next, if they're busy).

........................also phone the company and let them know your genre of music so they can accommodate your personal preferences

Well, I would - but I can't get through.

Become a first direct customer. They absolutely get this stuff right.

Although I appreciate they can't power up your home...

Ah well, thanks for that.

I suppose they will pay my refund eventually, even if I do not attempt to phone them.

Yanbu. I once rang my "24/7" bank at 3 o clock in the morning and I still got the "we are currently experiencing an unusually high volume of calls" message.

Fucking liars.

So what you’re saying as a midwife you never kept a single person waiting? We’re under resourced, met all your KPI? Etc…

When I was expecting my children at times I waited hours and hours waiting to see a midwife, no one told me anything other than they were busy and someone would get to me asap.

Im sorry you’re experiencing trouble speaking to this company however that is not all contact centres , all professions have their good and bad.

Someone will answer even if it takes hours or even a days.

it took me 2 months to get my money back from Vodafone by going through the ombudsman’s, if you’ve failed all avenues I’d advise you open a case.

When I used to answer call centre calls, the automated answer would give an estimated wait. So for example your estimated wait time is 8 minutes. This was based on the average call length. Sometimes there would only be one person in the queue and if they had to wait half an hour, they would get cross because the message was not accurate. That's because they are based on average call lengths and someone had kept me on the phone for 45 minutes with endless questions, so the next person had to wait. I got a loss less hassle when they changed the system to say you are say third in the queue.

So what you’re saying as a midwife you never kept a single person waiting?

I didn't when women were in labour, no @HaudYerWheeshtYaWeeBellend but my answer to you was slightly tongue-in-cheek.

I know quite well that call centre workers are under pressure. This thread was just meant to be a slightly light-hearted beef against the "hang on we're too busy to talk to you" call centres, who seem to have got their script for their unfortunate customers from exactly the same place.

BTW I love your user name!

I got a loss less hassle when they changed the system to say you are say third in the queue

Relatable.

😂

My dentist is the worst. They have had a "faulty phone system" for over a year, so you can't phone them. They encourage you instead to use an on line form (which is also never answered) so I went in 3 weeks ago and they promised to call me with an appointment. No prizes for guessing whether they have.

True.
And I find if a push the button for the sales option, it is always answered faster.

I will add Severn Trent to the shitey website list.

Ah yes. Funny, that.

They're too busy.

But not if you want to spend money and have a completely incomprehensible package sold to you as a bargain