Automated Phone System Hell
 

So back in March we buy a new HDTV. It's got a blimp in the middle of the screen so needs fixing.

I call up the 1-800 number yesterday and after two hours, yes two hours on hold I finally give up. I get back on to it today and after navigating the weird directions and voice prompts am back on hold. I'm now coming into my second hour.

I hate hate hate automated phone systems. They are the singular most annoying thing in the US. :mad:

I feel better for having got that off my chest.

Re: Automated Phone System Hell
 

Have you tried contacting the store where you purchased it, rather than the manufacturer's 1-800 number? Some stores will have a limited replacement warranty, or an exchange agreement.

Re: Automated Phone System Hell
 

Two hours on hold?! You've got more patience than me, I've usually slammed the phone down before 5 minutes is up.

One thing I have done is look up a real phone number (not 800) for the company and find a live body to speak to. You have to pay for the call, but on the other hand you don't have to buy blood pressure medication.

Re: Automated Phone System Hell
 

Two hours on hold?? Yikes! I'm almost afraid to ask what company you were calling. We bought an HDTV a couple of months ago, and we bought a stupid breakdown policy with it. We haven't had to use it, but I think if we did we'd have to same problem.

Re: Automated Phone System Hell
 

It's a Philips that we got from Best Buy. Best Buy told us to call Philips direct so that's where I am now.

Cheers for the tip about looking up the number direct. I'll give it a go.

Re: Automated Phone System Hell
 

Yes we bought from Best Buy as well, we didn't buy a Philips though. Good luck on getting through though.

Re: Automated Phone System Hell
 

You can e-mail them at [email protected] and detail the problem. This may save you time in waiting on the phone.

They also have a Fax number: 1-865-521-4468

Good luck.

Re: Automated Phone System Hell
 

This worked for me with Best Buy automated 'hold' lines...

as soon as you get the options...hit 2 then *5573

it's someones extension (I think she said her name was Amanda or Mandy) anyway, she was very nice and told me that she could put me straight through so I wouldn't have to hold any longer (I lied, I told her I'd been waiting for 15 minutes and then it had automatically diverted me through to her and I didn't know why)

anyway, she loves British accents and her Mother has friends 'somewhere near London'

:)

(If you're reading this Amanda, thanks, you were great)

Re: Automated Phone System Hell
 

I bought my first and last thingie from Best Buy. Service sucks unless you stick it to.. I mean stick *with* them. Finally *did* get my $400+ back.

But.

Can always try the store again and don't waffle. Say you want to speak to the Store Director. A recent purchase should be handled at the STORE level and they know it. If he (it's always a he) gives you a hard time, ask for the contact info for the District Manager (altho you can get this from the website, too). Try try try to deal at the store level; they have a lot of lattitude to keep you happy.

I also had luck with Chris' suggestion. They have a higher level Cust Svc Department where actual thinking humans work.

(love my flat panel tv...we didn't opt for the HD.. did we miss the boat or make an educated buy: ;) )

Re: Automated Phone System Hell
 

You don't think she's going to get suspicious when 50 dissatisfied ex-pats call her up?

Who's Amanda, and what was she great at? Oh never mind, none of my business. :D (Sorry, worked it out. Slow day.)

Re: Automated Phone System Hell
 

Arse cakes. I tried that but ended up in the Satellite Department. :confused:

I actually fell asleep on the sofa for well over an hour with the phone on. When I woke up the annoying music was still playing. I think I'll have to hand this one over to my hubby as I'm liable to lose it with them.

Re: Automated Phone System Hell
 

sorry, did I forget to say...the extension I plugged in was completely random, I don't know what department it actually was, but this Amanda lady could put me through to the right department when I told her what my problem was.

:)

Good Luck...

but my best advice is not to go back to Best Buy, I've vowed off them forever.

Re: Automated Phone System Hell
 

I feel your pain Sibsie!! What I hate is when it says "to speak to a live operator, press 0", then when you do, you get a whole other list of options to chose from. :mad:

Karma coming your way!

Re: Automated Phone System Hell
 

I believe that Philips in the USA equals Magnavox.