Just an old age rant

cool hand · Mar 18, 2022

Anyone else noticed in present times that a promise to call back is rarely fulfilled. Nowadays a call to almost any business establishment results, if not immediately known or spoken, ends with, I'll call you back, and that's the end of that. I was for 32 years in a business that needed to business by phone, sometimes requiring considerable delay. I ALWAYS called back as promised even with no new information. Nowadays it seems that a promise to call back is simply a method of dismissing the issue.
While I'm ranting, the modern phoning systems can also be less than expected:
Issue A, press 1
Issue B, press 2
Issues C,D, E,F, press whatever. Speak to a rear person: Next available wait 28 minutes!
End of rant!!

BillinCentralMO · Mar 18, 2022

Its terrible. Especially financial institutions and the government. That anyone would expect you to sit on hold over a half hour is outrageous. No matter how old you are !

Tony in SD · Mar 18, 2022

I agree But we are old farts. Just as we didnt operate our businesses the way our Dads did (ie when is the last time you wore a suit to a meeting?), the next generation will do business in a more non-verbal way. They have embraced text/email. Have you ever watched a youngster type a text into a phone? I know I cant talk that fast. So while it is a PITA for us old farts. It is the way the next generation will do business.

Rag-packer · Mar 18, 2022

All kinds of business and government have replaced people with the press 1, 2, 3 and when I pick the number close to my issue I get forever hold because all our representatives are busy.

Vito · Mar 18, 2022

Everything has a electronic trail. Cuts down on disputes in my opinion.

Vito

jm. · Mar 18, 2022

I don,t want to brag but I can tell where there is a KUBOTA dealership that if the owner hears of you calling and not getting a return call there will be one unhappy employee. With 6 lines in , and the ability to be answered direct by a receptionist, parts counter, salesman, or service desk sometimes there is a chance you can get voice mail but we do our dead level best to call back within in minutes. In about two weeks the lines will be ringing and it really gets frustrating for the men at the parts counter do you pick up the phone or wait on the guy standing in front of you. Our instructions are to take care of the man standing there. How do you guys feel about this if the counter guy is waiting on you should he say excuse me let me get this or should he just let it ring. ?

Tracy Brown · Mar 18, 2022

A few weeks ago, I had to change flight plans on a trip. I was on hold for over 3 hours.

wingnuttx · Mar 18, 2022

Cool Hand. I just wanted to chime in to say I very rarely get a call back when told I would. It is so annoying too. Like you said its just a way for the other side to end the conversation. Wingnut

Old Farmall Fan · Mar 18, 2022

The customer who made the effort to come to your business should ALWAYS have priority over any phone calls. Either let the phone ring or pick it up momentarily and ask them to hold.

Steve@Advance · Mar 18, 2022

jm, your question about being at the counter, money in hand, and get abandoned for a ringing phone...

Totally unacceptable! I have walked out over that!

Usually, it's someone shopping prices, or don't know what they want. Or worse yet not even a business call, someone's buddy just wanting to BS!

I think next time it happens, we should just pull out our phone and call them!

cjunrau · Mar 18, 2022

you are spot on. I'm still waiting 3 weeks later and I left a message 2 times. both times a different person

Steve@Advance · Mar 18, 2022

The automated answering systems, you can thank spammers and robo calls for that!

Where I work, we still answer, no machines. I can hear the front desk when I am in my office. I would say 90% of the calls are robos, scammers, cold call salespeople, or a dead air, no response.

But it is frustrating to call and only get a voice mail and never get a response.

Email is even worse. Very, very seldom is one ever acknowledged. Why do companies keep their email and help lines up on the website if they have no intention of responding?

And wasted advertising! Call a company, try to get information, they have no clue how to help, answer questions, or process an order! Why do they spend their money on advertising if they can't fill an order?

One more, website ordering that doesn't work! Waste an hour putting and order together, go to the shopping cart, check out, and the order won't go through! Usually there is no reason given, just hit place order, and nothing, leaves you hanging, don't know if it went through or not. Afraid to try again or it will double order. And the ever so friendly 20% return, restock, cancelation charges. They make more money on a return than a sale!

Now, I will give a round of applause and praise to McMaster Carr! If every business could do as good a job as they do, this would be a much better world to live and do business in!

Stephen Newell · Mar 18, 2022

I hear you. I needed some siding for a customer and the store was out of it but had some ordered. They had me give my name and number and when it comes in they would call me. Then more than a week later I happen to go to the lumber company for something else and happen to see the siding. I went back the next morning and bought what I needed almost two weeks ago and they still haven't called me to say it was in.

VicS · Mar 18, 2022

They are shouting at us, saying to do it online.

SVcummins · Mar 18, 2022

Press one for English.

Traditional Farmer · Mar 19, 2022

Times and business have been good for businesses so they haven't had to really concern themselves with customer service for quite awhile.It'll be that way until they start needing
the customers again.

ss55 · Mar 19, 2022

I would much rather communicate through emails or texts than to have to play phone tag with someone.

plowhand · Mar 19, 2022

ss55 · Mar 19, 2022

Today the guy on the phone or email is likely to be placing a bigger order and is a more regular customer than the guy who walks up to the parts counter. Too often the guy at the counter either doesn't know what he wants or doesn't know the part number and wastes more of your employee's time and them walks away because he can get it a nickle cheaper across town. Which customer is really the one you want to give priority to? The one on the phone.

SVcummins · Mar 19, 2022

I always say go ahead and take the call Im getting to where Im going to fast anyway

Patsdeere · Mar 19, 2022

It's not just as a customer.

I had applied and gone through 2 interviews and ready for the third. They were fast tracking everything as they were desperate. Now I can't get a call back from HR. Got to wonder...

showcrop · Mar 19, 2022

2X what SS55 said same as five weeks ago when this same topic came up. And about the electronic switch board, press 2 for....., who do you blame for that? LOOK IN THE MIRROR. Businesses are required to keep prices down so modernize to save money or close the doors.

730virgil · Mar 19, 2022

I hate it when you need tech support and you get someone who can't talk they sound like they have mouth full of you know what.
last time this happened I laid cell phone down and went into different room.

Uncle murph · Mar 19, 2022

I was working on my Woodmizer sawmill and had the control box opened up, I called Woodmizer and actually spoke to a human who also really knew his stuff,he walked me through diagnosing the problem and he handled the parts order.Best darn customer service anywhere!And yes,this has been in the last couple of years.

Just an old age rant

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