Real Estate Views from St Pete

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How to Get a Human

It's so frustrating to make a phone call and find yourself in Automated Hell. None of their choices of "departments" sound like the one you want, and you can't go backwards so you have to go back and or call in again and start through the choices all over again. Sorry, no last option of Speak to the Operator. The worst automated phone system I ever experienced was the US Department of Immigration - it's a wonder any non-citizen would want to come to this country after dealing with that (and we have problems when English is our native language).

I read about a web site that seems very useful, though I haven't tried many of the numbers. It's called

www.GetHuman.com

The site lets you search by company and get instructions on how to reach a human - i.e., which buttons to push or not push. 

17 comments • Sharon Simms St Pete FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS • February 23 2008 02:42PM

Comments

Sharon - I checked out the site...it looks like a great resource. I can't stand going through some of the crazy menus these companies have,
Posted by Bill Gassett Metrowest Massachusetts Real Estate (RE/MAX Executive Realty) almost 4 years ago
Phone calls get more frustrating when you finally do get someone and they are in India!
Posted by Patricia Kennedy (Evers & Company Realtors) almost 4 years ago

Bill - it drives me crazy, too. Perhaps some companies do that so customers will get too frustrated to keep trying to reach customer service - though that's a bad idea.

Patricia - that's why Dell charges for Gold Premium service or whatever you call it - you get a higher level technician and one who's here in the US. Believe me, it's worth paying extra to avoid the frustration and time!

Posted by Sharon Simms St Pete FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS (ALVA International, Inc.) almost 4 years ago
Thats the one thing I noticed when I moved to FL...press 9 to get to press 5 to get to press 7 to get to press......:)
Posted by Neal Bloom-Realtor ®CRS-Weston FL Real Estate (Keller Williams Properties, Weston FL) almost 4 years ago
Neal - so you think it's only in Florida???
Posted by Sharon Simms St Pete FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS (ALVA International, Inc.) almost 4 years ago
Sharon, thanks for the link! I despise getting automated answering things...and then you have to talk to a computer as well. Not very customer service friendly..
Posted by Linda Scanlan (A Fan of AR) almost 4 years ago
AMEN!! I hate getting in a loop. Thanks I will check it out.
Posted by Missy Caulk-Ann Arbor-Realtor® Ann Arbor Real Estate (Keller Williams-Ann Arbor) almost 4 years ago

Great idea posting this Sharon... I've had it in my favorites for a couple of years and the shortcuts do work.  Who wants to go round after round with a virtual operator.  Not me.

Posted by Fairbanks Alaska Real Estate Specialists Jesse & Kathy Clifton 907-328-9328 (Jesse Clifton & Associates, REALTORS®) almost 4 years ago
SHARON - I've bookmarked this, and I'm sure that I'll refer back to it.  There is nothing more frustrating than waiting for what seems like an eternity to speak to someone.  And then when they put you on hold.....I don't even want to get started with this discussion.  Thanks for the tip.
Posted by Adam Waldman - Long Island REALTOR® (Westcott Group Real Estate Company) almost 4 years ago
Hi Sharon,
That's a number that I am holding onto.  Thanks.

Posted by Cynthia Tilghman, Realtor® Onslow County NC Home Specialist (Kingsbridge Realty, Inc) almost 4 years ago

Linda - I think all of us get frustrated with the automation.

Missy - hope this gets you out of the loop.

Jesse and Kathy - some of us know what others don't and vise versa - it's good to share.

Adam - maybe some of these automated systems could be used to torture prisoners and break them down.

Cynthia - hope it will help you in the future. 

Posted by Sharon Simms St Pete FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS (ALVA International, Inc.) almost 4 years ago

Sharon...

Well that was really cool. I will be making good use of that.

I did note Bright House is not on the list...

At the rate they're (Bright House) going it won't be long I imagine :)

P.S. Give him a smooch for me :)

TLW...ROAR!

Posted by "The Lovely Wife" (Broker Bryant's Wife) The One And Only TLW. (President-Tutas Towne Realty, Inc.) almost 4 years ago

TLW - maybe somebody will send us Bright House's secret ...

He's glad you remember him and sends a smooch back! 

Posted by Sharon Simms St Pete FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS (ALVA International, Inc.) almost 4 years ago
This is a blog that I can relate with.  Talking to a person when calling a company is like winning the lottery!!! 
Posted by Michael Fowler Broker/Owner Fowler Realty (Fowler Realty Quad Cities) almost 4 years ago
Thank you for the information. I am sure I will use it often.
Posted by GITA BANTWAL, REALTOR,ABR,CRS,SRES,GRI BUCKS County & Philadelphia, PA HOMES (RE/MAX Centre Realtors) almost 4 years ago

Michael - we need to keep this in mind with our own phones when customers call in.

Gita - you're welcome.

Posted by Sharon Simms St Pete FL - CRS CIPS CLHMS RSPS (ALVA International, Inc.) almost 4 years ago
Sharon - indeed, nothing can be more irritating than those automated answering systems!!!
Posted by Barbara-Jo's Beach Blog - Clearwater Florida Real Estate (Charles Rutenberg Realty) almost 4 years ago

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