Automatic Answering Machines

How annoying it is when you need just a small bit of information and you call that company and you get an automated voice telling you to press 1 for this and press 2 for that and press 3 for something else and so on, and so on?

Geez, I just want to know the hours you are open. If I have to wait 5 minutes to get a simple question like that answered chances are I won't wait and you'll lose my business. And I know for sure that I am not the only one.

Then after you press the number that supposedly has the information you want, you sometimes again have to go through the press 1 or press 2 deal again. Seriously, I know there have been companies that I've had to press numbers 4 different times and still didn't get to a real person.

What happen to real customer service? What happen to a person's cheery voice on the other end of the phone saying Hello, how may I help you? And if your question is more complicated then she can transfer you, but if the question is simple she can give you the answer and both of you are off the phone in less than a minute, instead of spending 5 minutes pushing numbers.

Another one that really gets me is when they have you put in your account number on the number key pad on the phone and when you FINALLY get a real person, they ask for the number again. So, tell me, why did I put it in the first time if that information isn't being translated to the person who is answering my call?

I speak from experience and from the front lines. I am the main person that answers the phone at my company. If the boss offered to put in an automated service I would so no! It is very detrimental to business when people can't get the information they need and the personal care they feel they deserve.

I'm all for progress, but sometimes the old-fashioned way of doing things may not be as easy, but it is better. A cheery voice saying Hi, beats the heck out of an automated voice saying please press 1.