<p>When I called the DMV to ask a question about my car registration, I was surprised to hear a recording saying I could leave my phone number and they would return my call or I could stay on the line. I got a callback in an hour. I found it very convenient.</p>
<p>Several places that I call always give me the “unusually high call volume – go to the website” robo-message. I’ve found that if I stay on the line, I almost always get through quickly. Their goal, of course, is to discourage as many callers as possible.</p>
<p>I think the worst message I have had to listen to while on hold is the one at the office of a local gastroenterologist. It gives you a rundown on the symptoms of colon cancer. Over, and over, and over.</p>
<p>I made an online purchase lately that needed to be cancelled/returned. There was only a phone number given for the company under “contact us” and, while it rang, it immediately disconnected. Tried for 3 days and ended up disputing the charge with my bank. I assume they’ll call me if they want their item back!</p>
<p>My favorite thing is when you call in, press the menu option for a human, are asked to input all sorts of long strings of numbers like account numbers, SS#, zipcodes, etc., and then when a human comes on the line, he/she asks you for all that information again!</p>
<p>YES NYMomof2! Why ask for that info if their computer can’t feed it to the person I’m going to be talking to???</p>
<p>“Due to high call volume…”</p>
<p>Translation which we will never hear, “Because we save money by not employing enough people to answer our volume of calls…”</p>
<p>Who are they kidding? At least be honest.</p>