/RANT ON
So, lets say that I call you about something and I start with, “Hello, my name is Corey.”
Then, I wait.
Do you know what I want? OF COURSE NOT!!!
Let’s say that all you’ve said, in your professional capacity, is whatever your company requires as, “Hello.” Should I expect that you’re going to immediately interrupt me as soon as I’ve said 1/2 sentance?
OF COURSE NOT!!!!
So, why is it that almost everyone that I receive calls from at work expect this to happen to them? Am I the only polite person on the planet? I don’t think so. I don’t even think that I’m that polite.
But, it seem that in around 1/3 of the calls I receive in a day, here in the billing office of the gas company, the caller seems to think that if they tell me their name, I will magically know the reason why they called and can take over the conversation at that point.
I can’t.
Another 1/3 of the callers think that I can psychically glean their thoughts from only hearing 1 sentance about something totally unrelated, like “I’m moving.” These people wait approximately 1 second of silence and say, “Hello?” as if I wasn’t there. So, either they’re expecting to be instantly interrupted or they’re use to calling on the world’s worst cell phones, which drop the call often.
ARE THESE PEOPLE NUMB????
I didn’t mention the 10% who call in and input their account number into the IVR, only to say, “You have my account number, right?” only to have called from a blocked line or through an antique telephone switch that doesn’t translate the phone call’s metadata (or the software just isn’t working on my computer).
I can guarantee that if you’re ever in a situation where you input your account number to speed things up, it’ll show if you keep your mouth shut about it and it won’t be there if you assume. Don’t ever mention the phrase! :lol: You’ll jynx it!
perhaps I should rename this post to appear like an episode of Seinfeld, since its about nothing
/RANT OFF
HA! I was going to call you and just say, “Hello. My name is John.”
But then I got lazy all of a sudden and changed my mind. Ungh.. having to reach for my cell and then have to say, “Call Corey” to the phone so it dials automatically…. well, you get the picture.
Some people might think it polite if you respond, “Hello Mr./Mrs. Name. How can I help you today?” after they announce themselves. But this is just my opinion, and you’re entitled to it.
Also, when you call into a lot of places, keying in your #’s one would assume that that will automatically bring their info up for you. If it doesn’t they don’t know that, otherwise what’s the point of having to key it in before speaking to you?
What I think it boils down to is that you’re getting very comfortable in your job and you’re hearing the same thing over and over again and it’s just getting repetitive for you getting you frustrated.
So, it’s my duty as a friend to remind you what job/s you were doing Before you started working at your current job.
Where would you rather be?
I think that should do. OK Now Corey?
My company approved greeting is, “Hello, this is Corey. How may I assist you?”
I covered it all. I guess my whole rant is about the numbskulls that think that saying their name or one sentence is supposed to make me spout off for 20 minutes. I think that the problem is that this is the reaction that they usually get. I probably shock them by acknowledging them and waiting for them to say why they want my help. They’re probably not likely used to that reaction.
What’s funny is that before I got to the part about asking for the account number, I was planning to ask you about that very same thing…lol. I agree with John…it’s fair enough that they should assume that by punching in their account number that their account should come up on your screen when the call is transferred to your phone.
I’m with you, though, on the pauses. I’m ashamed to say that I’ve gone through more drive thru’s than I care to mention, but it’s made me a bit of an expert at them. So, why is it that at Indian-owned Dunkin’ Donuts (a big chain down in the US), when you place an order at their drive thru, after you say what you want, there’s this pregnant silence? Being the good customer I am, I sit there waiting for them to either repeat my order back to me or say “that’ll be $2.95″ or “thank you for your order, please drive up to the window” as a confirmation that they heard me, but noooooooo. I’m left there wondering what I should do. They’re probably thinking the same thing about me that you’re thinking about your customers…lol.
p.s.,
I love your little line at the end…lol.
That kind of pause I’d understand. But when someone says, “I have the equal billing.” and stops there, I’m so tempted to say, “Good for you!” LOL
OK, I see what you mean now.
Yea, I can see me wanting to say, “Well good for yooooouuuuuu! Thank you for calliiiing good bye!”