Business phone and call backs: rant

granddi · ‎03-16-2010

More and more businesses are using "call back" systems.

For me it is getting more frequent that the person or office or business is not available for traditional incoming phone calls. The phone system says : leave a brief message and we will call you back"

I understand that a person may truly be" away from my desk" but this game has become routine.

I'm trying to make a new patient doctor appt and have "left my message" Now I am setting and waiting for a call back. I dont want to go out and about and get the call in a public place. If the call comes in and you dont take it, it is crazy impossible to call the number back.

chrystaltree · ‎05-10-2010

It isn't new. Offices don't have the number of staff that they employed years ago. And the workers they do have wear more than one hat so incoming calls often go the vm system and workers screen those calls when they can. It was a problem in my office because some were diligent when it came to checking the voice-mail line and others rarely checked it. I'm in voice-mail hexx myself. My Cardiologist wants me to see a particular nephrologist who is not in his practice. I can't get past "if you are calling to schedule an appointment, please leave your name and number". I've done that about 6 times and I give up. I'll let him know when I see him later this month.

CelticCrafter · ‎03-09-2010

If you're close enough to the office you're better off getting in the car and taking a ride over to the office to make an appointment.

The absolute worst in the urologist my husband sees. They must have 5 locations with 20-25 doctors and only ONE phone number. There is no way to get directly in touch with the office you want unless you go there in person.

millieshops · ‎03-09-2010

@granddi As much as I don't like it, I believe the procedure is most likely permanent - or long-lasting enough that it is likely to last for the nexct decade.

BTW- I am currently playing telephone tag (over several days now) with my local car wash. They double charged me last week. I saw the charge the next day and called. They returned the call while I was out to dinner with friends the next day and didn't answer. Exactly what you already know happens.

And even though I go to the carwash in person, of course, they have eliminated on on-site person who can correct the error! Fortunately, the charge is on a credit card and I am not yet out of any money- but I am irritated. Too bad this company owns several of the carwashes in my area!

Sooner · ‎03-10-2010

What do I think? Just that it is what it is. Lots of things in the world have changed and I can adapt or be cross a lot.

Patriot3 · ‎06-07-2010

I don't mind so much the vm system, but what irritates me is when they don't call back.

DrakesMomma · ‎06-02-2010

If you enter into an automated system (press 1 for this, 2 for that) don't press anything. Sometimes the ARU will transfer you to a real person.

GenXmuse · ‎05-15-2016

I've been noticing this a lot lately when I didn't in the past and although I'm not a fan because I don't trust I'll get a call back, I understand why they do it. I like to get the matter handled so I can cross it off my to-do list and not have things hanging.

hckynutjohn · ‎06-15-2015

@granddi

This is pretty standard with my doctors that are a Specialist in their field of medicine. The message goes directly to his personal nurse(s). My cell phone is rarely used, and I would never use it to call any of my many doctors.

I understand many no longer have a land line, and that is something I have no intentions of changing. Many make that choice for a whole variety of different reasons.

When I am calling any of my doctors, I do so on days I know I am not leaving the house. Even if I am going outside, I put a cordless phone in my pocket, or just carry it with me. I don't make these calls unless they are a high priority to me. And in the last couple months, several have been necessary, and with different Specialists.

If this is a high priority to you!

hckynut 🇺🇸

hckynut(john)

CelticCrafter · ‎03-09-2010

@Sooner wrote:
What do I think? Just that it is what it is. Lots of things in the world have changed and I can adapt or be cross a lot.

But @Sooner when you're being referred to a specialist or not feeling well the last thing you want to deal with is an automated phone system that may or may not call you back