A New Way to Bypass Automated Response Systems

Wed Sep 6, 2006 3:24AM EDT

See Comments (143)

I've long used the secret phone numbers and commands at GetHuman to figure out the quickest way to get a real, live operator on the line. (Example for Pontiac: Dial 800‑762‑2737. Press 4 4. Then don't press or say anything.) It's an invaluable service and one that deserves a permanent bookmark in your Favorites list.

But now there's a new kid on the block, and it's a killer: Bringo! (aka NoPhoneTrees.com), which does GetHuman one better: Look up the company you want to call, click the appropriate link, input your phone number on the web form, and Bringo! calls the company you want to yell at for you. You get a quick "verify this phone number" call, then, when Bringo! has you in the queue, your phone rings, you hit the # key, and you're in line for an operator.

I tried the service and works without fuss. The only problem is that the Bringo! database is fairly limited right now. You can dial Fujitsu and Texas Instruments for computer support, but not Hewlett-Packard. The two largest wireless carriers (Verizon and Cingular) are missing on the site, but TracFone and SunCom are listed. I'm sure the database will be expanded along with the service, but for now you might not find all the listings you need.

I also have no information about Bringo! the company (there's not even a contact link on the website, and the domain is anonymously registered), so I have no idea what happens to the phone number you use to input into the Bringo! website. The service could theoretically record calls or capture any data you input over the touch tone connection, so you might be careful about entering your credit card number or SSN if you're using the service. (Though these numbers should bypass any of those prompts.) I've seen other stories about the site's Polish founder Marcin Musiolik, and I've asked him if the site has a privacy policy. More news as this story develops. Meanwhile, feel free to experiment with the site with the aforementioned caveats.

UPDATE:  I heard back from Bringo! founder Clement Wang with the following information.

  • A privacy policy is coming in about a week. No monitoring of phone calls is performed, and numbers are not resold or reused in any way.
  • The site is not intended as a money-maker but rather as a technology showcase for Bringo!'s underlying code (and other products that might come from it). The advertisements on the site help offset the cost of the phone calls.
  • Marcin Musiolik is not a founder of the site but is part of the team. The site founders are based in the U.S.

Comments on A New Way to Bypass Automated Response Systems

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  • 66 Posted by gooseman001 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:11PM EDT Report Abuse

    JUST PUSH 666 WORKS EVERYTIME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • 67 Posted by lokisdream on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:56PM EDT Report Abuse

    Now, we just need a way to get a real human operator so that we can express our opinions to them about INCOMING 1-800 sales calls.

  • 68 Posted by joseph.lantrip@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:41PM EDT Report Abuse

    Well, after spending the last 1/2 hour reading all of the comments I gotta post SOMETHING so I don't feel as though I wasted all of my time. I agree with most of the comments, except the dipstick that 'says' he works for technical service at a large phone company. And to the english grammer specialists... GET A FREAKING LIFE!!!. Now, that part is done. I agree that the phone trees are needed for mundane questions to be answered, per some of the comments, BUT THAT IS NOT WHAT WE ARE COMPLAINING ABOUT GENIUSES! If we need technical assistance, or something these phone trees are not designed to EASILY handle, then WE WANT TO SPEAK TO A FREAKING HUMAN!, AND NOT A HUMAN THAT CAN BARELY SPEAK ENGLISH!!! GOT IT??? Well, no I feel better! Thanks for the therapy, and the ideas.

  • 69 Posted by barcar45@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:02PM EDT Report Abuse

    To the guy that likes companies making money more than you like or listen to people, with all due respect for your idea. When you fell down on the ground and skinned your knee did a phone system kiss your knee or did you wish for a real person? Customers love to buy products from companies that care about them. A careing ,supporting customer care person makes friends laughs with people and saves customers. A computer can't laugh and make people happy it does cause stress. 75% of our illness are caused by stress and this is documented by the American Medical Association. Stress kills people permanently and people are customers.

  • 70 Posted by markley_adam on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:08PM EDT Report Abuse

    pressing "0" doesn't always work anymore. Even worse are the systems that make you speak, instead of press a touchtone button. (i.e. "pay my bill") and then you get "I'm sorry we did not recognize that, please try again." VERY ANNOYING!!! If this stuff really works and is secure, than it's a GREAT tool to use.

  • 75 Posted by greeneyedmslady on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    Thanks for sharing this information. Tell you another thing I am tiring of, whether it be you are trying to call for information or getting a call in regard to a bill, these foreign folks who you cannot understand and better yet they cannot understand you! They are obviously following a script, which is highly detectable when you are asking them a question or get them offtrack. How insultive to the American public that you are calling or being called for help and the "person of contact" has no clue! Then if you asking for someone who speaks English that give you someone thickertongued than before! Then become frustrated with you!!! Get real companies - hire people who can be understood and understand!!!!

  • 76 Posted by danceit01 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:34PM EDT Report Abuse

    another thing that works is when the automated phone message starts, just say "operator" - I almost always get switched immediately to a live person

  • 77 Posted by tanorris2001 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    I tried accessing the Bringo site today and am not getting anything. Has anyone else been able to use it?

  • 78 Posted by krr711 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:54PM EDT Report Abuse

    this is a little generic. i thought we would get something that hits a lot of birds with one stone. this posting is somewhat shallow for a pro.

  • 79 Posted by bradfap06 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    i've found that pressing "0" works for most numbers works too, sometimes you have to press it multiple times in order for it to catch. ALSO, some will connect you to an operator if you just start cussing...sounds dumb but it works

  • 80 Posted by hotloads1 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:20PM EDT Report Abuse

    But now there's a new kid on the block, and it's a killer: Bringo! (aka NoPhoneTrees.com), ...... How come when I click highlighted "bringo" the page is unavailable . nophonetrees.com doesent exist !! whats up ?

  • 81 Posted by patnhebmease on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:01PM EDT Report Abuse

    yor_kie@hotmail.com----------------There is one site where you just do not respond when the automated system asks the first two questions. Takes you right to a service rep. or operator.Unfortunately, I cannot remember where. But if all of the others do not work for a site,IT'S WORTH A TRY!!!!!!Thank you for the OTHERS!!!!!!!!

  • 82 Posted by rmpw4086@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:44PM EDT Report Abuse

    Why can't the telephone companies at least give you a human for repair or out of service calls? As a 75 year old, I really can't be climbing ladders to check the junction box to determine if the problem is mine or theirs. thanks for the tips about getting a human being. Now if we could only be sure that person is an American.

  • 84 Posted by tripleafamily@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:21PM EDT Report Abuse

    My office just went to using a phone tree... there are four simple choices. It's amazing how many people are too dumb or too lazy to press the right button.

  • 85 Posted by jakeokc06@sbcglobal.net on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    This is absolutely the worst thing for those of us who are in the phone sales field. Most of the time, these so called "services" simply connect you to a salesperson as, of course, this is the easiest person to get on the phone at a company usually. We are paid, most often, based on our close rate (number of sales per call) and these calls not only hurt our numbers, but most often, we cannot do anything to help you and have to transfer you to another department anyways.

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