3 ms·

I find that using phone support and being genuinely nice to the other person on the line is a nice way to sometimes get benefits you don't expect, like airplane

I find that using phone support and being genuinely nice to the other person on the line is a nice way to sometimes get benefits you don't expect, like airplane upgrades... I purchased a used ipad and the only way to get the thing turned on was to talk to a customer support agent, who had to basically manually flip a database column for me. Besides these days you can either set a callback, or, just plain do work while you're on hold.

FpUser 4y ago
And not so lucky (I suspect the majority) can not work when on hold
- albert_e 4y ago
  Yes. I cannot work while on hold.
  - throwawaymaths 4y ago
    Housework, yardwork, folding laundry...
Scoundreller 4y ago
Sometimes I play the game of being on hold with two vendors at the same time and hope they don't simultaneously pick up at the same time. It usually works out.
- thewebcount 4y ago
  I have to do this when calling CVS. Our local CVS does not answer their phone if there’s literally anything else going on at the pharmacy. But I found that if I call from 2 phones, they will eventually pick up (after literally between 15 and 45 minutes of not answering). It’s pretty infuriating. I avoid using them, but every now and then my mail order pharmacy runs out of something, and I have to go back to using CVS for a month or two. Physical pharmacies in general have also gone way down hill in terms of customer service. I’ve literally gone into the store and stood at the counter for like 10 minutes waiting for someone to even acknowledge my existence. It’s not that they don’t see me, they just don’t care. They are overworked, so I kind of understand not being responsive, but a simple, “We’ll be with you in a few minutes,” would be nice. It’s pretty dehumanizing to stand there being ignored. And if you speak up, they usually snap at you, and then are rude when they do get around to helping you.
Scoundreller 4y ago
My story about being nice: Once sent in a complaint that wasn't really a complaint, more of an FYI that one of their things was broken. Lo and behold, a few months later, I get an apologetic email with a $300 credit. It was obvious they didn't even read my complaint, and therefore won't fix it, but I'll take the $300. And no, they didn't cause me anywhere near $300 in harm by any measure.

FpUser 4y ago

And not so lucky (I suspect the majority) can not work when on hold

albert_e 4y ago
Yes. I cannot work while on hold.
- throwawaymaths 4y ago
  Housework, yardwork, folding laundry...

Scoundreller 4y ago

Sometimes I play the game of being on hold with two vendors at the same time and hope they don't simultaneously pick up at the same time. It usually works out.

thewebcount 4y ago
I have to do this when calling CVS. Our local CVS does not answer their phone if there’s literally anything else going on at the pharmacy. But I found that if I call from 2 phones, they will eventually pick up (after literally between 15 and 45 minutes of not answering). It’s pretty infuriating. I avoid using them, but every now and then my mail order pharmacy runs out of something, and I have to go back to using CVS for a month or two. Physical pharmacies in general have also gone way down hill in terms of customer service. I’ve literally gone into the store and stood at the counter for like 10 minutes waiting for someone to even acknowledge my existence. It’s not that they don’t see me, they just don’t care. They are overworked, so I kind of understand not being responsive, but a simple, “We’ll be with you in a few minutes,” would be nice. It’s pretty dehumanizing to stand there being ignored. And if you speak up, they usually snap at you, and then are rude when they do get around to helping you.

Scoundreller 4y ago

My story about being nice: Once sent in a complaint that wasn't really a complaint, more of an FYI that one of their things was broken. Lo and behold, a few months later, I get an apologetic email with a $300 credit. It was obvious they didn't even read my complaint, and therefore won't fix it, but I'll take the $300. And no, they didn't cause me anywhere near $300 in harm by any measure.