I think a lot of people can relate to this in many different jobs. SOMETIMES CUSTOMERS GIVE WAY TO MUCH INFORMATION! There are many different ways in which I have to interact with customers but I find the time when they just reveal to much is when I am one the phone! There are things that a stranger doesn’t want to hear about, like a death in your family or just how sick you have been all weekend. The reason for me to call someone or for them to call me has nothing to do with your home life, I don’t need to know how busy you have been, all I want is to get my job done. If the call is regarding a debt I can understanding giving the company some information but being told someone just died or their kid got hit by a car is a little to much information and can make the person on the other line feel very uncomfortable. If you’re calling to cancel an appointment please don’t tell the person who answered all the gory details like its coming out both ends or something totally gross like that! I have had customers come into a place I work and actually pull back band aids to show me how bad they hurt themselves. I have had customers start to cry because they are telling me something that is just to personal or emotional for them. The reason why it bugs me so much isn’t because its gross or uncomfortable at times but because I know some customers are using these stories just to get out of something or as an excuse. Also knowing how much people lie I always wonder if you’re just making something up, telling me a person in your family had passed so I will stop calling or telling me how sick you are so you won’t be charged a late fee or I will want to reschedule you right away because I feel bad for your situation. —Annoyed
This article appears in Mar 28 – Apr 3, 2013.
Well Rajneesh, maybe that’s what you deserve for calling during the dinner hour.
DRONE STRIKES ON CALL CENTERS – FUCK YEAH!
TOO!!
Well sometimes people DO give you their song and dance because they don’t know how to say no. N.O. That’s enough. No explanations necessary! If they persist I just hang up the phone.
You obviously don’t have the right personality for dealing with the public, OP. Find yourself a more suitable career. People are people, some are lonely, some are looking for attention, some are nasty-assed, some want to talk and some just want to know how to be a road whore – it takes a special touch to deal with the public and you haven’t got it.
THAT IS THE JOB, YO.
I am a direct insurance broker for a big company. I talk about many many things throughout the day that have nothing to do with the task at hand. That is why I am good at my job.
me too fs, and sometimes there be dogs
Beats having somebody scream at you. Give them the benefit of the doubt, you don’t know the situation. What would bother me is the long-ass explanation that eats up valuable time.
Time for a new job, OP??? Perhaps in a cubicle far, far away in Hermitville and with nary a phone, customer or co-worker in sight. We are not all cut out for jobs requiring ongoing daily public interactions with strangers who may seem a bit ‘over the top’. Spare them and yourself – by not being in a position where you have to deal with ‘the public’, since it sounds like you do not want to be there anyway.
BTW – thank you for sharing all the info and details on the BB. Next!
I agree with TTFN & Furious (and I am also in insurance…25 years now). OP you’re not in the right job. Did you re-read your post? Did you really listen to yourself? Have you no heart? That’s the problem with society today. There is no more face-to-face in doing business, it’s “press 1, press, 2, press 10”, and never connecting with an actual person. Part of having A-1 customer service is to have EMPATHY! And great listening skills. As a result of my excellent customer service skills I have repeat (good) business on my books, and clients who will follow me wherever the job takes me, because they like what I do and they appreciate that I value their time. When they have my attention they are the only ones that matter in that moment. I hope you never “lose it” on a customer some day because you’ll deserve everything you get back! Shame on you!
when you call ME, i ask you if you have ever heard the word of our lord and saviour jesus.
It gets you fuckers off the phone and gets my ass on the REAL do not call list.
We hate you too.
I’ve been accused of giving TMI in the past.I would rather have a face to face conversation.Then when I say the wrong thing I can explain myself before I give away TMI and end up loosing someone I care about.
Besides, I can’t write at all.