On hold… and on and on and on and on and on and on and on.
The mindset of a person in need, calling into an office or business for assistance with their problem is one that should be addressed with the utmost care – for what they’re about to say will dictate how well you can help them solve their problem.
Unfortunately, this isn’t how things work out in the real world – as customers are put on hold for what seems to be an eternity, only to have a terribly unintelligent computerized voice ask them to please stay on the line or have a representative come back and talk with them latter… sound familiar?
For many, the wait time is long enough to have them hang up and call someone else for help, or worse – leave a message that could’ve been handled if they’d only been able to speak with a live person.
It’s time businesses take a step back and look at what they’re doing wrong in this situation – customers are not numbers, they are people. And their time is valuable.
So, the next time you find yourself on hold, remember that the person on the other end of the line is a human being just like you, and they’re probably feeling just as frustrated as you are. Hang in there – your wait will be over before you know it.
How long have you been waiting for an important call and how did it feel when the person finally answered?
I can’t remember the last time I actually got through to someone on the first try when I called my cable company. Actually, that’s not true – it was probably within the last year or two. And it always feels like a major victory when I finally get through to someone and they’re able to help me with my issue.
Some ideas for being more patient when we’re waiting for someone to pick up the phone:
– Make a list of things you need to do or have done before your call. This will help to keep your mind occupied.
– Picture yourself at the other end of the line, and imagine how frustrated they must be that they’re on the phone and not able to help you.
– If you’re really struggling, try breathing exercises or meditation to help you calm down.
– Hum or sing along to the song that’s playing on hold. It can at least make the wait a little more bearable.
– Talk to the person on the other end of the line as if they’re a friend. This will help to pass the time.
– Use the time to your advantage and practice your customer service skills by roleplaying with a friend.
The best way to handle being on hold is to try and take it in stride. The wait isn’t going to last forever and, in the meantime, there are a few things you can do to make the experience a little more bearable. Just relax and breath, and before you know it, you’ll be speaking with a live person.
Call is waiting when i call someone
The author discusses the challenges of being on hold when contacting a business or office. He points out that businesses should take care in how they address customers, as what they say will dictate how well the customer can be helped. Unfortunately, this is not always the case and customers are often put on hold for long periods of time with little communication. He reminds readers that this is an issue not only between customer and business but also with other services. The author ends by suggesting ways for dealing with this frustrating situation.