Wednesday, February 3, 2010

Automated customer service

I'm feeling much better today although my voice still keeps cutting out on me or going all deep and hoarse. Luckily for me it's not my job to answer the phones at work, but I am a back-up. Our receptionist was in training today so I did help on the phones a little and had to do some of his duties.

A package needed to be sent out by Federal Express. Usually the receptionist does that but since he was gone it fell to me. I called the 800 number and get one of those automated customer service recordings.

Fed-ex: How many packages are you shipping?
Me: SQUACK
Fed-ex: I'm sorry, I did not understand your reply. Would you like to try again?
Me: One!
Fed-ex: Thank you. I heard one package, is that correct?
Me: SQUACK
Fed-ex: I'm sorry, I did not understand your reply. Did you say "one package"?
Me: Ye...SQUACK
Fed-ex: That sounded like you said "yes", is that correct?
Me: YES
Fed-ex: I'm sorry. The cut off for shipping packages today is already past. Would you like to schedule for tomorrow?
Me: Ye...SQUACK
Fed-ex: I'm sorry. I did not understand your reply.
Me: YES
Fed-ex: Thank you. We will pick up your package after 7:30 and before 12:00. If you want additional services, Press 1......

This went on for a moment or so. The more frustrated I got and the more I tried to enunciate in a loud, clear voice, the more my voice kept cutting out. I have to say that the automated customer service rep never did get upset. That's probably a good thing. I'm afraid I may have lost patience with a real person!

7 comments:

Lisa at Greenbow said...

Just keep on squaking.

Alicia said...

Thats hilarious!!

You still sounded sick at church even though you're feeling better. I hope that cough doesn't hang around for too long.

soulbrush said...

i bet your throat got worse just from pure aggravation! grrrrr.

Lisa said...

I'm glad you're feeling better. That was me this morning. Dave rolls over to say goodmorning and I say "croak". (I'm french you see, so I'm a frog)

Mim said...

I hate that automated voice recognition thing!!

Kellie said...

My insurance co has that automated thing and last time I called in to make a payment the house was loud and it thought I wanted to make a payment of 1800bucks!! NOPE! Had to surf around the automated thing pressing 1 or 4 or 7 or maybe 6 to finally get a real person to apply the correct amount.. I was freaking out for a while there..

crochet lady said...

Oh dear, having to repeat things on the phone with a sore throat is the pits.