I hate automated reply services!!!

[Anonymouse]

To explain:

I've received a letter from HMRC regarding my tax code - it states the code Assist Recruitment will use to work out my tax. All well and good, except that I'm not working for Assist Recruitment any more!

As I have no idea what difference (if any) this will make, since HMRC should know by now I've been working at Expert Logistics since September, I thought I'd give 'em a call to be on the safe side...only to discover they've gone the same route as Universal Credit - namely you have to work out exactly what to say to the stupid automated service "to ensure your query is directed to the right people". After a couple of attempts I gave up. I went to the local UCAN centre to make the call, as HMRC don't use a freephone number, or at least I don't think it's free (nor is Universal Credit - I had to call them because they've paid me a month's money even though I'm still in work - I was on hold on a non-free line for over eight minutes).

How in the Name of the Left-Handed Dog (*) do you tell such a simple-minded service that HMRC might not know which employer I'm working for?! Other than the usual answer of "money" (i.e. such services are allegedly cheaper than employing infinitely more flexible human beings), why, why, WHY are such organisations making things so bloody difficult for the very people they're supposed to help? Why is it so damn hard to talk to a human being these days?!

And the biggest joke is that as a taxpayer, I'm paying for this unasked-for idiocy (and if they had asked me, I'd have told 'em to get stuffed, I'll tell you that for nowt)!!! Millions of UK citizens are paying to have this done to therm!!!



(*) I don't know either. It was something my maternal grandad, rest his soul, used to say.

[devilincarnate]

You have reached Cable forum, please press
1 for a reply
2 for people who care
3 for any other services


Lol

[joglynne]

I also hate the automated number option calls. I wanted to check my policy cover.

1. do you want to start a policy?
2. do you want to cancel a policy?
3. have you moved?
4. do you wish to make a claim?
5. do you want to hear the options again?

No!!!!! I just want to talk to someone!!!!!!

... and when I just chose number 2 in desperation..... "we are experiencing a high volume of calls and you are now in a queue, you may wish to call back later"

[heero_yuy]

You have reached a virtual number. Please rotate your phone by ninety degrees and try again.

Amuses me when an automated calling service gets to talk to my automated answering phone.

[v0id]

In contrast I prefer the new automated activation line from Microsoft.

In my experience, if you act like a complete kipper when calling in to one of these places, by repeatedly making responses the machine doesn't understand, it will normally give up and put you in the queue anyway.

[Hom3r]

There is a website some guy created that takes you though the numbers you plress to get to the relevant department, but I can't recall the dam name.

---------- Post added at 22:14 ---------- Previous post was at 22:10 ----------

found it

http://www.pleasepress1.com/uk/

When calling HMRC you will notice they require voice recognition to speak to an advisor. Please Press 1 has tested some HMRC lines and found that if you ignore all the voice recognition prompts by remaining silent for about 40 seconds, you are then given push button options. This particular line has not been tested, but we believe it works in most cases, so if you prefer push button options you may want to try remaining silent.

[Halcyon]

The worst are now the ones where it makes you think it is a human being.
The apple store even have a typing sound to make it sound like they are taking down your details.

Your call is important to us. Please hold while we cut you off after 1 hour waiting.

[Anonymouse]

Thanks for the advice, guys. In the end I just sent snail mail to them.