When you’re looking for support about the NBN, your download speeds, centrelink, bill payments – basically any situation where you have to physically call somebody for help – the worst thing that can happen is that you end up speaking to an automated call centre. You get stuck in an endless loop of ‘yes’ and ‘no’, gradually infuriating yourself more and more.
But there is a way to get through to a real person much quicker.
Swear.
This tip comes courtesy of Reddit, where back in September a disgruntled customer detailed their experience with the Telstra call centre.
The customer called the Telstra service centre to query a bill payment that was wrong. After wrangling with the automated service, going around in circles, the customer shouted a very Aussie “FAAAARK” into the phone and then, miraculously, the automated call centre service told them they were being connected to a real person.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect though is that one Reddit user popped up to explain that they had been involved in the proof of concept software that detects ‘probable anger’ at the other end of the line and that software would promote your spot in the queue, pushing you closer to speaking with a real agent.
Getting angry, swearing and raising your voice can actually get you through those automated call centre loops.
Other words, sayings and actions that reportedly work are:
- ‘Complaint’
- ‘Operator’
- ‘Help’
- ‘Person’
- ‘Human’
- Smashing one button down constantly
- Pushing zero
Some of the theories tend to suggest that it is the constant failed attempts that will put you through to an operator, but it does appear that everyone has their own way of breaking through the horrible automated call centre. Just be careful: It doesn’t mean you’ll actually get through to someone who can help you – you may just get put straight back on hold.
It would appear you can even be more abrasive than that though, with another user reporting that calling the automated service a “cylon toaster c***” is their preferred method. Lifehacker cannot confirm or deny if this results in being put through to an operator faster.
Lifehacker Australia is looking to test this call centre hack out in the near future, so look for a video soon! Let us know in the comments if this has ever worked for you
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.