docetboy
11-05-2003, 01:42 AM
http://i.cnn.net/money/images/logo/cnnmoney_logo.gif
http://money.cnn.com/2003/10/30/pf/smart_assets/index.htm
1-800-Annoy me now
12 ways to get out of recorded-message hell and get a live customer service rep.
October 30, 2003: 4:35 PM EST
By Nicole Zeitzer, CNNfn Smart Assets Producer
NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - It's safe to say we've probably all been victims of automated customer-service hell. I mean, of course, that maze of choices we're forced to listen to when we call a bank or an airline before, hopefully, being connected to a live voice.
The live operator has increasingly become the target of corporate cost-cutting efforts. Push-button phone menus or virtual agents are replacing human beings.
You might be thinking, "Can't I just press 'zero' and be directed to a real person?" Many companies have dropped that option, leaving the caller no choice but to listen to that dreaded automated menu.
Sometimes, however there are escape codes; a combination of keys that will open the gates to a live voice.
The banking industry
If you're a Chase customer you could skip the automated menu by pressing 5 then pause and hit 1-4-star and zero.
Bank of America's escape code used to be hitting zero twice, but they may be on to us. Now you must hit zero three times.
You can still just press "zero" to get an operator when you call Wells Fargo and Washington Mutual.
The credit card industry
American Express customers can hit zero to bypass the automated menu, but be patient. It will ask for your 15-digit card account number, which you may ignore. It will then say "We do not recognize your input," which you also ignore, and you will soon be connected to a live operator.
MasterCard holders can hit zero three times for a live voice.
The airline industry
You can bypass American Airlines' menu by pressing zero twice, then when the virtual woman says she will need some information, just say "Agent."
For a Continental airline live operator press 3.
Northwest Airlines press the star key then zero.
Southwest Airlines actually has live operators answer every call. If they're busy you'll be put on hold, but there's no automated menu.
PC support
If you want to reach a live voice at Gateway, hit zero twice, but be prepared to wait on Hold for a little while.
For Hewlett-Packard say "agent" when you're first prompted to speak.
We found no magic bullet to bypass Dell, Apple, or IBM's automated voice menus.
http://money.cnn.com/2003/10/30/pf/smart_assets/index.htm
1-800-Annoy me now
12 ways to get out of recorded-message hell and get a live customer service rep.
October 30, 2003: 4:35 PM EST
By Nicole Zeitzer, CNNfn Smart Assets Producer
NEW YORK (CNN/Money) - It's safe to say we've probably all been victims of automated customer-service hell. I mean, of course, that maze of choices we're forced to listen to when we call a bank or an airline before, hopefully, being connected to a live voice.
The live operator has increasingly become the target of corporate cost-cutting efforts. Push-button phone menus or virtual agents are replacing human beings.
You might be thinking, "Can't I just press 'zero' and be directed to a real person?" Many companies have dropped that option, leaving the caller no choice but to listen to that dreaded automated menu.
Sometimes, however there are escape codes; a combination of keys that will open the gates to a live voice.
The banking industry
If you're a Chase customer you could skip the automated menu by pressing 5 then pause and hit 1-4-star and zero.
Bank of America's escape code used to be hitting zero twice, but they may be on to us. Now you must hit zero three times.
You can still just press "zero" to get an operator when you call Wells Fargo and Washington Mutual.
The credit card industry
American Express customers can hit zero to bypass the automated menu, but be patient. It will ask for your 15-digit card account number, which you may ignore. It will then say "We do not recognize your input," which you also ignore, and you will soon be connected to a live operator.
MasterCard holders can hit zero three times for a live voice.
The airline industry
You can bypass American Airlines' menu by pressing zero twice, then when the virtual woman says she will need some information, just say "Agent."
For a Continental airline live operator press 3.
Northwest Airlines press the star key then zero.
Southwest Airlines actually has live operators answer every call. If they're busy you'll be put on hold, but there's no automated menu.
PC support
If you want to reach a live voice at Gateway, hit zero twice, but be prepared to wait on Hold for a little while.
For Hewlett-Packard say "agent" when you're first prompted to speak.
We found no magic bullet to bypass Dell, Apple, or IBM's automated voice menus.
