By Staff
Muskrat Love. Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head. Nadia's Theme.
Yep, I've heard them all and others while &#8220on hold” on someone's phone system.
First off, I don't care for being put on hold but I do realize that sometimes it is necessary. But when you have to sit and wait for five minutes to get the right person on the other end of the line, the music they provide for your &#8220listening pleasure” is oftentimes irritating.
After discussing this practice with co-workers, we've determined that although most of the time we'd just as soon talk to whom we called rather than listen to old instrumental versions of some pretty good songs, we'd most times prefer to listen to silence.
I can remember a time, however, when I was placed on hold and actually heard music I enjoyed. I actually told the person that I spoke to after being on hold for a few minutes to put me back on hold so that I could hear the rest of the song. He didn't and I missed the ending.
I have also been placed on hold and was forced to listen to advertisements. Can you believe it - they actually tried to sell me a service that I was certainly not interested in buying.
Most of the time when I call a business I'm either looking for specific information or need to talk to a specific person. I realize that folks are busy and there are times when I have spent more than just a moment &#8220on hold.”
I don't have the time or the inclination to be solicited over the phone. That's why I put my home phone number on that &#8220do not call” list.
I don't typically make a lot of phone calls unless I feel pretty sure that I'll actually get to talk to the person I'm trying to reach.
I don't mind leaving a voice mail if they're busy, but don't put me on hold for five minutes only to switch me to voice mail after I've endured the trauma of the wait.
I guess my point is that although I hate to be put on hold, I more strongly detest being sung to, advertised at and forced to wait.
Just put me on hold and get the information or the person I need as quickly as possible.
Chances are if I'm happy with the service I receive on the phone from a business, the more likely I am to search them out when I need their wares or services.
Lisa Tindell is a news writer with The Brewton Standard. She can be reached at 867-4876 or by e-mail at lisa.tindell@brewtonstandard.com.