American companies – like every other country in the World – love automated telephone systems.
To actually get to speak to a real human, is harder than earning a PHD in astrophysics.
But what makes me laugh is how they try so so hard to make it sound like you’re talking to a real person when it’s painfully obvious you’re not.
However, in America, it has reached new heights.
I was organizing Direct TV and was having to repeat my answer to every question asked by the ‘automated human’ because it doesn’t understand British accents when – finally – it accepted my answer.
Imagine my surprise when immediately after, I heard the sound effect of a person typing.
Seriously, it was trying to suggest they were literally inputing my answer into their system.
If that wasn’t mental enough, the sound they used sounded awfully like a typewriter from the 1920’s.
Apart from the fact that a supposed high-tech company shouldn’t feel embarrassed about not using real people, if they really believe genuine human interaction is more desirable for customers than a computer, then HIRE SOME FUCKING HUMANS.
Another example where a consultancy has come in to improve efficiency and ignored reality.