Loop Holes that Can Place You at the Head of the Customer Service Rep Phone Line Every Time

Under the pretense that technology would enable them to provide better service, nearly every large organization with a customer service department has switched to an interactive voice response (IVR) system. The result is that it has become harder to reach a live telephone representative at these companies. The fact is, now over 40% of all telephone calls to a company's customer service operation are now being handled by IVRs. In an era when customer service is suppose to be the pre-eminent key to satisfied customers, these annoying systems lead callers through time consuming series of key touch menus and recorded greeting which repeat countless times; "so that we may better serve you, please press or say..."

Being able to negotiate this maze and bypass the electronic technological assistants and speak to a live human being right away will save you tons of time and get you the customer service and answer you seek. Following is a list of shortcuts that should work for the major consumer customer service companies, when you get tired of talking to their machine;

Do not press 0 to connect to an operator. This is generally the first action a caller will take to bypass the interactive voice response system. For this reason, many companies have eliminated this option or set up their IVR to send you back to the beginning of the main menu or disconnect your call. A work around is to press "0#" of "0*" on your digital telephone touch pad.

Listen to the menu options carefully and select the option for opening a new account or canceling an existing account. These options will generally be listed as sales or new service. Live operators almost always answer these options promptly. When connected ask to be transferred to the department you need. It is best to state the operator connected you to the wrong department by mistake.

When you are connected to the IVR system, it will repeat the menu options available and ask you to press the number on your telephone keypad which corresponds with your needs. Do not press anything. The system will think you are calling from a rotary telephone and transfer you directly to a live person.

Ask the customer service representative is there a way to navigate the menu system and connect directly to a live person. Explain to them you are a loyal and very busy customer. Also ask whether there are any unpublicized toll free numbers the company has which will also connect you to a live operator immediately. You will be surprised at how often you will obtain helpful information.

Some companies charge a fee for speaking with a live person. Usually they will notify you about the charge up front but it is a wise point to always ask.

This collection of little known tips to get through to a customer service representative exposes only a little insight into navigating the IVR system. You can turn this information into pure genius when you want to get to the head of the phone line and get your customer service questions answered. Use and share it wisely.

Resource: Personal ExperienceTags: IVR system, customer service tips, technology,