Category: the Rant Board
Okay. this happened yesderday. I called my local 411 to try to find a number. well I don't like to deal with that stupid computer, so I just pressed zero to go to an operator. well the one I got wasn't in the best of moods, because when I asked for the spasific number she said in this snappish tone,
"I don't see it!" she acted as if she was anoyed that I asked her for help. isn't that there job? aren't they supposed to help you if you need it? the way I see it, if they don't want to help people, then don't take the job! I might sound cold, and I am not meaning to, but it just frustrates me! Okay, just needed to vint, thanks.
if you can't get anything out of them. call1 800 free 411. as it says it's free.
Oh no, I totally agree with you on this and I think the same thing when I get a person talking to me like that. Yes, everyone has their bad days and they're people too, but these jobs require them to work with people, so perhaps they can talk to someone at home, a close friend or family member, or councilor if it is a more long-term serious thing, something instead of taking it out on the people they're supposed to be helping out. (I also got an operator who was apparently in a bad mood when I called 411, and have also had 1 or 2 drivers when taking the taxi/paratransit to places, and one bus driver as well.) Honestly, it makes me not want to use those services because I wonder what kind of mood the next person will be in (most are helpful and friendly thankfully *smile*), but of course, we do need them. So yeah, I feel the same way, that if a person is going to be rude toward people he/she must interact with, maybe they should find someone to talk to or consider a job where they won't have to interact with the public as much.
To clarify real quick, I don't think "I never want to call that place again." but I sometimes feel nervous the next time I have to after talking to someone like that. I'm nervous talking on the phone as it is and then to get someone like that? So yeah. And for the drivers, at least for the paratransit ones, I usually don't get the same ones anyway even if I take it regularly, and won't talk to them unless they're friendly and seem like they want to talk like when they ask me questions or make a comment.
I wish they could make a braile phonebook. I know that would be impossible, but yeah, I just wish there was a way to do it. then we wouldn't have to deal with those operators!
its called Google, lol
I know. Or maybe a talking one with a Braille display. It could be like the Franklin Language Master but with phone numbers and addresses instead of definitions, and it can have something where you just send it back to the company to get it updated.
The last idea is interesting. It would be so much of a pain, but maybe it could be updated over the Internet somehow. I've had a couple of loosers at the free 411. Lately, I've been using Google's experimental 411 service 1-800-4664411 or 800 goog 411. Its automated, tut it does a fairly credible job. We just switched phone companies from Verizon to Comcast so I can't speak to their 411 service yet. I won't till I fill out the paperwork to get it for free.
Lou
I've heard that you can't get 411 for free with comcast.
If it's a business you're looking for I highly reccomend Tellme's business search.
you call 1-800-555-8355 and say business search.
It's also free and more reliable I think.
If you want to apply, call 866-853-1851. They need a letter from a doctor stating your disability, and a letter from you. They can give you the fax number. Their mailing address is p.o. box 4200 Brownsville, TX 78520. Personally, I'd call to verify before I went to the trouble of doing what I just mentioned in terms of the letter. I'm assuming its possible with comcast just like any other bureaucracy to talk to two people and get two sets of information.
concerning tellme business search, I haven't tried that yet. I know their voice recognition is really good, and considering they were doing this stuff before anybody else was, I'm not surprised they're good.
Lou
Just curious, but doesn't the US have something equivalent to our Yellow pages and White pages? That is, the business and home phonebooks respectively, available as a searchable database online? It just seems odd to me, that that service wouldn't exist there.
Actually, some of the yellow and white pages are more accessible than others. The problems really arise if you're not near the computer and need to access a telephone number.
Agreed with Lou. There are just some times when a computer search isn't convenient.
well i know how you all feel about 411 operators. I will say this! I use to work as a Airforce operator and man i hav to say it sucked! Major! I'm not saying that i don't agree because i've had 411 operators be really rude to me but. sense i can say i've been on the other side. it really isn't easy. I felt like a 411 operator when i worked for the airforce and couldn't believe how rude and bossy so many people could be. The airforce base still get's around 15 hundred calls a day. And most of the time it was giving out numbers. i'm so glad i don't work there anymore. I don't want to say i was mean but sometimes people would call three times or more just to get the same number and i had to be nice but i just wanted to yell at them and say why didn't you write it down or something. but then i have to say to myself i've done that before too so i can't be upset at them. heheh smile! but yes TELL ME the 1 eight hundred number is great! i use it for so many things. I like to check the weatherand if i need a taxyi just call Tell ME and all i say is Taxy and it will ask you where you are and all the good stuff. There is also another number i'm not sure what it's called but the number is 1- 800-555-1212 and you can get aalmost any 800 number and that is also voice activated. Well i hope that helped somewhat! smile! I would just say if you have a problem with a 411 operator and they are rude to you.You can always call back and tell the next operator and ask them to write up a complaint. even though you might not know who the operator was! by name or anything. they record everycall and would know who you talk to. So hopefully that operator will get what ever was up there ass out! heheheh smile!
Agreed whole-heartedly with princess. Sassy, when you're in customer service, you're in customer service. It is, what it says really. You are providing a service for the customer. We're not robots, that's true, we are however, meant to be proffessionals, who get a wage to put up with people, no matter how stupid, ignorant, or arogant they appear to be. And yes, I say we, because I'm in cs myself, for a bank here. I hate it too, but in the abscence of anything else to do, I gotta put up with the shit. And that isn't to say that everyone who calls cs lines is that way, but it's those you remember. So my point, is that while it may be understandable that some 411 operators get in a bad mood from time to time, it isn't the caller sfault, and shouldn't be taken out on them. Just my $0.02 on the matter.
Yeah if you don't like being nice to people then why did you go into customer service?
Troy
Oh I agree, if you take a customer service job its your job to take care of the customer even if they swear or whatever. Having done that type of work, not on 411, it can be frustrating but you have to keep your cool!
I agree with all of you who posted. If you are having a bad day, talk to someone about it. Don't take it out on the caller. I highly recommend tell me. It is so easy to use and it is all automated, so you don't have to worry about a bad attitude, lol!
I remember one day when I was scheduling a trip with metro lift, my transportation service, and the guy who answered the phone wasn't too pleased with the call. I think that's were automated systems come in. They don't have an attitude! Lol!
but the voice recogneshion thing can get on my nerves. I may not say something clear enough, then I have to go back and try again.
or, the ones where you have to say a number to indicate your choice and the stupid machine will say, for example, "Did you say two?" and go on from there.
Those voice recognition things are cool! I've used them plenty of times. Tell me is the best with voice recognition.
not necessarily. For example, if you're listening to a news report, and you start doing something like typing in the background, or just clear your throat, the stupid machine will pick that up and cut the report off. I've had it happen before. I only use Tell Me for getting the weather. I hardly watch the news on tV anymore, unless I'm really bored.
yeah that's right! I mean I could be listening to something and clear my throat or something, then it cuts it off and I have to start all over again! gur'r'r'r'r it's anoying!