How to beat call centre queues

[gem]

From Richard Hammond's 5 0'Clock show

Phone Cheats
Ever wanted to know how to get around those endless automatic phone responses? Well, follow these guidelines and we might be able to help.

• IVRs ("interactive voice response") are the annoying computers that answer phones. Richard Hammond's 5 O'Clock Show has teamed up with Paul English, an American who's beating these computers at their own game to come up with some cheats to get straight through to a human. Paul's worked out an extensive list of cheats for the US and he's helping us crack some of the hardest British systems.
• If you know of any cheat or accidentally discover one then do email us at 5oclock@itv.com.
• General cheats. These are cheats which can often work if there isn't a specific cheat listed.
• Press 0 (or 0# or #0 or 0* or *0) repeatedly, sometimes quickly. Many IVRs will connect to a human after a few "invalid entries", although some IVRs will hangup.
• Say "get human" (or "agent" or "representative") or shout your favorite four letter word. If these are not programmed, the IVR might again connect you to a human after a few of these "invalid entries".
• Just hold, pretending you have only a rotary phone (the old fashioned one with a dial)

Connect to sales; they always seem to answer quickly, then have them transfer you to the department you need.

When you do finally find a human, ask them how to connect directly the next time (in case your call gets disconnnected etc), and be sure to tell us so we can pass the information along.

Specific UK cheats

PC World - main number is 08702 420 444 – press * then the 4 digit store number (which is on the top of your receipt) i.e. 4802 for Gloucester, then #, and you will get through to your chosen store.

Virgin Trains - when the system starts simply say “AGENT” and it will put you through to an advisor.

Lloyds TSB Credit Cards - customer service line. When asked to say your 16 digit card number, just say “AGENT” as well, and you will go straight through.

Alliance and Leicester - press 0#0#0#0#0 repeatedly until you get a ringing tone

Tesco - (0800 591 688) - when prompted to select an option - do NOT press anything - do this everytime you get a prompt. The system will think you have an old fashioned rotary phone and take you straight through.

MBNA credit card - there's a phone number on the back of your card which is for customers abroad (01244 672 2000). Use that and you'll jump the queue.

Currys - (0870 609 712) Press # - when told that option is not available press again. You may need to do this a few times.

BT - (0800 800 150) - Just press * whenever you get a prompt. Ignore the operator when it says that the shortcut is invalid and press again. This will take you straight through to a ringing tone and an operator.

[Worldlife]

Well I hope this advice doesn't get too well distributed.......

The firms concerned will no doubt introduce counter measures!!!

[druid]

It beggars belief that we as customers have to put up with this nonsense just to talk to someone who we are spending cash with!

And we think we have moved on since Victorian times!