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Thread: "That is not a valid option!"
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07-31-2009, 03:21 PM #1Web Hosting Master
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"That is not a valid option!"
I was just on the telephone with Bank of America's automated telephone system.
It was asking me for some information that I could not provide. So I said "operator" in an effort to reach a live person.
"It sounds like you wish to speak to an associate?" the computer system politely asked.
"Yes," I told the computer.
"That is not a valid option! [Exact words] Please provide the requested information now," it starkly replied.
I was like "woah" and hung up on the computer.
This is like HAL 9000!
-mike
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07-31-2009, 04:21 PM #2Web Hosting Master
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I can't let you do that Mike!!!
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07-31-2009, 06:03 PM #3Hosting Billing Master
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I wish we were important enough to actually be able to talk to real people. I reluctantly talk to the computer on the other end of the line, and it makes me feel a little crazy.
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07-31-2009, 06:14 PM #4Web Hosting Master
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07-31-2009, 07:53 PM #5Web Hosting Master
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08-01-2009, 01:10 AM #6Web Hosting Master
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What is AWKWARD is when you're in public and others are around, and you need to reply to an automated system.
"Yes," you quietly say. (And the computer responds that it can't hear you.)
"Yes," you repeat a bit louder. (And the computer still responds that it can't hear you.)
"YES!" you scream into the phone, as onlookers give you a weird look
-mike
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08-01-2009, 01:32 AM #7Web Hosting Evangelist
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I just sit there through the 4 or 5, sorry we could did understand your response...until it finally says, "please hold while we connect you to a representative".
My favorite is if you are dialing from a rotary phone, please wait, otherwise press 1 or some number.... I usually wait as they seem to answer quickly.... cause they don't know what the "f" you are going to ask them.... potential business or potential loss... they can't tell. if are you pressing buttons you are enlightening them.Mike
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08-01-2009, 08:00 AM #8Web Hosting Master
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I can't let you do that Mike!!!Automated, Secure & Low Cost cPanel Backups (on the cloud)
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08-01-2009, 03:54 PM #9Retired Moderator
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I'm sure the consumerist blog have featured something similar (if not this exact thing) with AVR systems before. It does seem to sum up the relationship between banks and account holders though
Thankfully, the UK banks don't seem to use them to the same extent as in the USA (at least, none of the 3 banks I use here force you to use them - always a nice "to talk to someone press 2" kind of thing!)Alasdair
Long time ex-host, ex-billing software owner/developer/support staff. Recent lurker.
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08-01-2009, 04:05 PM #10Web Hosting Master
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Thankfully, the UK banks don't seem to use them to the same extent as in the USA (at least, none of the 3 banks I use here force you to use them - always a nice "to talk to someone press 2" kind of thing!)Automated, Secure & Low Cost cPanel Backups (on the cloud)
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08-01-2009, 04:39 PM #11Web Hosting Master
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Some of them will disconnect you if you do not respond.
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08-03-2009, 03:13 AM #12Web Hosting Master
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In this economy, I'm sure there are many people calling to ask for a few extra days on their bills, etc. If they make it more difficult for everyone to speak with operators then imagine all the late fees and interest rake hike money that the banks will earn. I wouldn't be surprised if banks became more difficult to deal with specifically for this reason.
...john2k...
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08-03-2009, 04:51 AM #13
Time to switch banks!
I would never do business with a company whom I couldn't speak to SOMEONE with, eventually.Tom Whiting, WHMCS Guru extraordinaire
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