On Hold
By YoghurtGal
@flapiz (22402)
United Kingdom
July 5, 2022 6:57am CST
I have spent 2 days being on hold trying to reach a clinic and the immigration services. Both these businesses cannot seem to answer their phones. Are they even manned still or are they just automatically hooked to the radio. How is it a valid support when you can't even reach the support. I would really rather email my needs rather than be on hours hold. Do you experience the same frustration when trying to reach services with a phone call?
14 people like this
13 responses
@flapiz (22402)
• United Kingdom
5 Jul 22
After an hour of being on hold I found a helpful support personnel . I do understand it gets busy sometimes but it is inexcusable to not be able to answer phone calls everyday. I think they need more support staff.
Well at least you had a positive experience. Maybe Switzerland has better support centres and more well staffed.
3 people like this
@aninditasen (15732)
• Raurkela, India
5 Jul 22
Yes, this happens even in India. The support team keeps their customers on hold and sometimes don't register our complain. This happened with me with the electricity department recently.
3 people like this
@flapiz (22402)
• United Kingdom
6 Jul 22
@aninditasen It's their responsibility in the first place it's annoying we have to use the law to get what we deserve.
1 person likes this
@aninditasen (15732)
• Raurkela, India
6 Jul 22
@flapiz I had to threaten them of legal action to register the complaint and get the electric fault repaired.
1 person likes this
@flapiz (22402)
• United Kingdom
5 Jul 22
Ouch that's painful. Specially when it's about complaint, refund, or support. But when they are selling you something and want your money you find that they are so prompt to answer and so helpful too. Not all the time but most of the time really.
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (6108)
• United Kingdom
5 Jul 22
Your discussion is very important to us and we will endeavour to reply as soon as possible. Unfortunately this may be some time due to the never ending pandemic. We are currently suffering a shortage of staff, a lack of interest, and an ongoing dispute over pay and conditions.
We appreciate your patience so please enjoy this soothing piece of music while you wait.
Welcome to the UK! 
2 people like this
@flapiz (22402)
• United Kingdom
6 Jul 22
@Orson_Kart I hope I don't too. I've already endured 1 month of unemployment waiting for my visa.
1 person likes this
@Orson_Kart (6108)
• United Kingdom
6 Jul 22
@flapiz When I said “soothing” I of course meant annoying. 
I think it’s played to try to get you to hang up.
As for the trains; well they are electric now but the staff are still living in the steam age. They are way overpaid for jobs that can often be automated. The unions won’t accept change so love to go on strike to screw the country. 
I think it’s played to try to get you to hang up.
As for the trains; well they are electric now but the staff are still living in the steam age. They are way overpaid for jobs that can often be automated. The unions won’t accept change so love to go on strike to screw the country. 1 person likes this
@m_audrey6788 (58485)
• Germany
6 Jul 22
So far, I don`t experience that here. They are nice here as long as you explain good what you need 
1 person likes this
@m_audrey6788 (58485)
• Germany
6 Jul 22
@flapiz They don`t let me wait long time
1 person likes this
@flapiz (22402)
• United Kingdom
6 Jul 22
@m_audrey6788 Oh that's good. I guess I'm just unlucky.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
7 Jul 22
Like you, I would much prefer email communication over waiting for hours on hold on the phone. At least with email you can check back and/or respond at your convenience.
1 person likes this
@flapiz (22402)
• United Kingdom
9 Jul 22
@moffittjc true and you can also explain your situation more and hopefully appeal to pity.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118442)
• Gainesville, Florida
9 Jul 22
@flapiz Yes, and as you are crafting your email, you can take the time to think and edit what you want to say, something you cannot do when you are speaking live to someone.
1 person likes this
@Fleura (29129)
• United Kingdom
5 Jul 22
Yes, I absolutely despise those automatic systems! And yes email is much better, if you have to explain your problem more than once (as often happens when you get passed around) you can just copy and paste, and you have a written record of everything that has been said which is important and impossible on the 'phone.
2 people like this
@JESSY3236 (18923)
• United States
5 Jul 22
Yeah I had to call the health department to get a vaccine (not covid) scheduled and I was on hold for a long time.
2 people like this
