Automated answer machines can be so annoying
By Koalemos
@Asylum (47893)
Manchester, England
November 18, 2015 5:53am CST
This morning I decided to telephone my ISP to query a missing router, which turned out to be very frustrating. The automated system answered immediately and presented me with the usual introductory welcome and a series of choices to select from. After patiently tapping the appropriate number for each stage of selection I was put on hold, along with the usual atrocious music.
I finally placed the mobile on loudspeaker and left it at one side, but finally conceded and cancelled the call. The call registered as 46 minutes, despite never having actually spoken to anyone.
It was irritating enough in the old days spending so long trying to make a call, but at least we were not charged for a call that did not get answered. Now the call begins to register immediately.
I sometimes wonder if this system is designed to deter callers.
12 people like this
12 responses
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
18 Nov 15
it is really designed to get money for telecom companies regardless of whether we talk to people or not. I hate such machines with a vengeance
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
18 Nov 15
@arthurchappell The worst point is that they have become so commonplace that it is now standard practice for most companies. It is now even difficult to find establishments that do not use 0845 or 0844 numbers.
1 person likes this
@arthurchappell (44941)
• Preston, England
18 Nov 15
@Asylum that's why phone companies like such a system
@Rollo1 (16676)
• Boston, Massachusetts
18 Nov 15
When that happens, I usually go online to the ISP's website and intitiate a "live chat". The agents that you contact are real people, even if hey do copy and paste a bunch of pre-written customer service crap at you. If you can get past that part, you can often get them to investigate a problem.
1 person likes this
@SIMPLYD (90717)
• Philippines
18 Nov 15
Sometimes , though i am not able to catch up with the automated instruction . 
@rebelann (117226)
• El Paso, Texas
19 Nov 15
It's enough to drive ya to drinkin. What's worse is when it's your car warranty company and they do that, I just canceled mine because no one ever answered and I figure the reason I bought that stupid warranty was to add security to the possibility of car trouble. dang fools.
@BelleStarr (61463)
• United States
19 Nov 15
We have unlimited calling so the charge doesn't matter but the total disregard for your time is what I find annoying.
@Sheilamarie78 (2586)
• Canada
19 Nov 15
I think they do discourage callers. I miss the days when we actually related to human beings.
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
20 Nov 15
@Sheilamarie78 This is exactly my point, there comes a time when you feel that you have to end the call and you are back at the end of the queueue when you try again.
@Sheilamarie78 (2586)
• Canada
20 Nov 15
@Asylum I would never stay on for two hours. That's totally unreasonable!
@boiboing (13147)
• Northampton, England
18 Nov 15
I'm quite impressed by companies that now offer free 'call back' service.
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
18 Nov 15
Yes it is, but why are you paying to make a call?
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
18 Nov 15
In my case it will not cost me anything because I am on contract for my mobile and such calls are now included. Nevertheless, it is something that applies to many people, both via a mobile or a landline.
It was only July this year that the charge for such calls was scrapped by my service provider, prior to which it would have been 10p per minute.
1 person likes this
@Asylum (47893)
• Manchester, England
18 Nov 15
@ElizabethWallace I know that the local telephone system is different in the USA. Here in England all landline calls are chargeable, unless you have a specific monthly contract that covers local calls at certain times of day. Therefore a landline call to my next door neighbour would be charged the same as if I telephoned someone 250 miles away.
@ElizabethWallace (12069)
• United States
18 Nov 15
@Asylum No kidding. On landlines here, there is never a charge. People pay a flat rate, unless it is a long distance call. On mobile, most plans now have unlimited calls and texts, only data use is limited.
