Have you been "stonewalled" recently? "Your estimated wait time is two minutes."
By The Horse
@TheHorse (205716)
Walnut Creek, California
February 18, 2019 2:28pm CST
I admit that I long for the days when you could call a store or office and get a person on the other end. I was pretty young then, but I DO remember it.
Right now, I'm trying to call the bookstore at the college where I teach. I want to ask what text book is most commonly use for "Critical Thinking," a class I'd consider teaching in addition to Intro and Research Methods.
I hit "0" at the first stone wall, so they could direct me to the bookstore. The automated voice said, "Your estimated wait time is two minutes." A minute later, the voice said, "Your estimated wait time is two minutes."
Now, five minutes later, my estimated wait time is still two minutes. I'm going to reevaluate what I learned in physics about space/time, hang up and finish this post.
I've been stonewalled by Kaiser (my medical provider), EDD (when I needed to collect unemployment insurance between jobs), the guy who owes me $2500 for speaker refinishing work I did for him, etc.
Have you been stonewalled recently? Give me a nice, frustrating example, so I can feel less alone.
21 people like this
21 responses
@xander6464 (40872)
• Wapello, Iowa
19 Feb 19
I can't give you any recent personal examples but I can helpfully remind you that this problem is closely related to the disappearance of, "The customer is always right."
2 people like this
@xander6464 (40872)
• Wapello, Iowa
20 Feb 19
@TheHorse I'm not sure. It seemed to be very sudden, though. And there was no ransom note.
1 person likes this
@WorDazza (15833)
• Manchester, England
18 Feb 19
I once spent a wonderfully entertaining 10 minutes trying to negotiate the automated phone service of the Automobile Association in the UK. No matter which route I took through the menus after about 4 or 5 levels of menu I always ended up back at the main menu.
I'm hoping it was a bug in the system and not designed to extract more in call charges from customers.
2 people like this
@amitkokiladitya (171936)
• Agra, India
19 Feb 19
Yes...especially when it is a complaint regarding a faulty device.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
19 Feb 19
@amitkokiladitya Do you ever get to leave a message?
1 person likes this
@amitkokiladitya (171936)
• Agra, India
19 Feb 19
@TheHorse I just keep calling the help centre number again and again
1 person likes this
@janethwayne (5193)
• Philippines
20 Feb 19
Well when my child is in the hospital and then we have to pay the bill and my boss did not sign the paper for my insurance to deduct it.It took the entire day of waiting and it is very upsetting and we are desperate to discharge.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
20 Feb 19
@janethwayne Why did it take him so long?
1 person likes this
@janethwayne (5193)
• Philippines
20 Feb 19
@TheHorse Yes they do cover that but the only thing is my boss has to sign it because I am working in his firm and it takes long for him to do that even if it is just simple to do.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (157552)
• United States
19 Feb 19
We did not exactly get stonewalled. We were able to get through the "press 1" for this, press "3" for that. Left message twice. It was never returned. Lucky the issue resolved itself, and was not an emergency.
1 person likes this
@crossbones27 (48417)
• Mojave, California
18 Feb 19
@TheHorse Because he wants to make it where people do not go broke if they lose a job or do what you do. Medicare for all and similar programs not defined yet because for some reason scares America. . I always find it amazing people will bend over backward to say that is socialism and refuse, but love it when it goes to corporate socialism. Hey had to bring some balance because always get attacked when I bring this up.
2 people like this
@TheHorse (205716)
• Walnut Creek, California
18 Feb 19
@crossbones27 Oh, I see what you're saying. But corporations are people too, aren't they (sarcasm emoji)? Would Paul in Peoria actually vote for Bernie? I'm not sure.
1 person likes this
@andriaperry (116860)
• Anniston, Alabama
19 Feb 19
No, not lately. Sorry, you are on your own.
1 person likes this
@SophiaMorros (5046)
• Belews Creek, North Carolina
19 Feb 19
I avoid making phone calls if at all possible.
I've noticed when volunteering at the library, that people call there to ask the strangest questions...I wonder if it is because it's one of the few places where callers actually talk to a real person right from the get-go.
2 people like this
@JWMILLER (3280)
• Westmoreland, Tennessee
21 Apr 19
Iit might be. This calling of libraries seems common.
@snowy22315 (169940)
• United States
18 Feb 19
I don't remember specifics, but yes I have had it happen to me more than once!
1 person likes this
@FourWalls (62120)
• United States
18 Feb 19
No, but I met Stonewall Jackson after one of his concerts. 
I love the “your call is important to us” lie, ahem, recording.
Worst EVER for me: calling Social Security when I left the post office. I think that was a longer wait than the planned Gilligan cruise. 
I love the “your call is important to us” lie, ahem, recording.
Worst EVER for me: calling Social Security when I left the post office. I think that was a longer wait than the planned Gilligan cruise. 1 person likes this
@wolfgirl569 (95136)
• Marion, Ohio
18 Feb 19
I love the one that tells me my call is very important to them.
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (40515)
• United States
18 Feb 19
I had an experience a while back just trying to log in to a mail order pharmacy. I just needed someone to get me in, I just couldn't get it to work. So simple. Two hours later and at least five times of being transferred, ending up back at the beginning place, I was so aggravated, I thought I was going to have a nervous breakdown. You know how you get to laughing, bordering on hysteria? Honestly, it's a wonder my blood pressure didn't send me into a stroke.
I tried again a few days later, got the nicest person and in three minutes, she had me logged in. Go figure.
1 person likes this
@acelawrites (19273)
• Philippines
18 Feb 19
It happened when we are reporting about the failed internet service. It's frustrating!
1 person likes this
