Due to a call-out, I was re-assigned last minute to the insurance agency I've covered at several times now, and I just got a doozy of a call. I started to put this under "brain burps" but the SC's demanding, aggravated tone (which of course is impossible to properly convey here) made her more of an SC
*RING!*
Me: Thank you for calling [company], how can I direct your call?
SC: Yeah I just got a check in the mail and I want to know what it's for.
*sigh* And we're off to a terrific start already. No greeting, no name, no nothing. I am not kidding when I say that this office handles clients all over the US, from coast-to-coast (I helped here with a mailing that had people from Massachsetts to California). There is no possible way I can answer that question without you at least identifying yourself. PLus, I said "how can I DIRECT YOUR CALL" not "how can I HELP YOU."
Me: OK ma'am, what's your last name?
SC: [Very common last name that is the same as a color]
Me: OK, and your first name?
SC: [name]
Me: And could you verify your address for me?
SC: Huh? What for, can't you answer my question??
Me: Actually no, I can't, because I don't have access to that information. Your agent would have to be the one to tell you, and I need to verify some information to determine who to connect you to.
SC: [Address]
And finally, I have what I need to know which agent to put her through to. Except....of course....that agent's phone is set to "Do-Not-Disturb" so all I can do is put the insured through to voicemail.
Me: OK, your agent is [name] but unfortunately she's with a client at the moment. Can I get you her voicemail?
SC:......What do you mean..."voicemail?!!?"

Me: She's not available at the moment, but I can let you leave her a message on her voicemail so she can call you back as soon as she's finished with the client.
SC: OK, just have her call me back, my phone nmber is xxx-
Me: Ma'am I'm sorry but I can't take a message for you. I'd need to put you through to her voicemail and let you leave the message there.
SC: OK!
*transfers; hangs up*
Seriously, that call should've taken less than a 1/4 of the time it did if this woman had just cooperated.
*RING!*
Me: Thank you for calling [company], how can I direct your call?
SC: Yeah I just got a check in the mail and I want to know what it's for.
*sigh* And we're off to a terrific start already. No greeting, no name, no nothing. I am not kidding when I say that this office handles clients all over the US, from coast-to-coast (I helped here with a mailing that had people from Massachsetts to California). There is no possible way I can answer that question without you at least identifying yourself. PLus, I said "how can I DIRECT YOUR CALL" not "how can I HELP YOU."
Me: OK ma'am, what's your last name?
SC: [Very common last name that is the same as a color]
Me: OK, and your first name?
SC: [name]
Me: And could you verify your address for me?
SC: Huh? What for, can't you answer my question??
Me: Actually no, I can't, because I don't have access to that information. Your agent would have to be the one to tell you, and I need to verify some information to determine who to connect you to.
SC: [Address]
And finally, I have what I need to know which agent to put her through to. Except....of course....that agent's phone is set to "Do-Not-Disturb" so all I can do is put the insured through to voicemail.
Me: OK, your agent is [name] but unfortunately she's with a client at the moment. Can I get you her voicemail?
SC:......What do you mean..."voicemail?!!?"

Me: She's not available at the moment, but I can let you leave her a message on her voicemail so she can call you back as soon as she's finished with the client.
SC: OK, just have her call me back, my phone nmber is xxx-
Me: Ma'am I'm sorry but I can't take a message for you. I'd need to put you through to her voicemail and let you leave the message there.
SC: OK!
*transfers; hangs up*
Seriously, that call should've taken less than a 1/4 of the time it did if this woman had just cooperated.

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