How to Get a Human on the Phone

Mon Feb 11, 2008 11:10PM EST

See Comments (342)

IVR, or Interactive Voice Response: It's the scourge of the western world. And even if you don't know it by its official name, you certainly deal with IVR, probably on a weekly basis. IVR is better known colloquially as voice mail jail, voice mail hell, and other, less savory terms that I can't publish in this column. But whatever you call it, everybody hates "talking to the computer."

But just because IVR exists doesn't mean you have to take it sitting down... for hours on end. If you know the right code, you can bypass the computer and get right to a real person (or at least the queue to wait for a real person) with no trouble at all.

GetHuman has compiled a list of all the methods, tricks, and tweaks you need to bypass IVR for 500 of the largest and most commonly called companies you're likely to deal with, from car companies and computer dealers to government agencies and more.

Even better: GetHuman provides the toll-free number (or a regular toll number, if no toll-free line is available) you need to dial, too. It's all on one big web page, HERE.

While you're on hold, don't miss GetHuman's tips on finding phone numbers (if they aren't listed on the main GetHuman site) and tips on how best to get to a human in general. Also worth reading: GetHuman's advice on how to deal with an operator you can't understand.

Finally, Bringo! is still around (though it hasn't been updated in a while). This service actually dials the number for you, then rings you back when you're no longer on hold. Worth a try if your arm is going numb.

LINK: GETHUMAN.COM (Note: Site may temporarily be down due to overwhelming traffic; try again later!)

Comments on How to Get a Human on the Phone

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  • 66 Posted by orderonebay on Fri Feb 15, 2008 4:03PM EST Report Abuse

    Also go to yahoo . com and click on the finance tab, put in the name of the company like best buy or home depot, you will get their stock info which comes up. then click on the profile tab and you will get the phone number as well as the top execuitives. Most companies like the mentioned above ones have an chairman's office or an escallations department. You will get to the bottom of your problem. Rather than arguing with somebody in customer care. Try it. This works almost all the time.

  • 67 Posted by djmiroku on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:44PM EDT Report Abuse

    I've found that all you really have to do is scream bloody murder into your phone and mash 0 repeatedly. Someone will pick up.

  • 68 Posted by lm_agnello on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    It's funny b/c I work at a Physical therapist office where I verify patient's insurance benifits all day long. I have to listen to the darn automated voices day in and day out,its a real drag but i've learned to cope and manage my time b/c I have found the tricks of the trade through experience of trial & error, practice and perseverance. I can get thorough to the reps with out hesitiation b/c of this. So you could say I am kind of a pro, none of these secrets are new to me! LOL.

  • 69 Posted by danperalta on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:35PM EDT Report Abuse

    great! NOW what buttons do press to talk to SOMEONE WHO speaks "ENGLISH"!

  • 70 Posted by xmjeffm on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:53PM EDT Report Abuse

    Is it just me or is EVERY customer service rep you talk with from India?!?!?

  • 71 Posted by rafbennett on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:27PM EDT Report Abuse

    seville28@att.net, thats your own stupid fault..

  • 72 Posted by thinkwavejohn on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:06PM EDT Report Abuse

    Did they post the instructions how to reach Microsoft? hehehehehe

  • 74 Posted by winterman93 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:47PM EDT Report Abuse

    "Again, news that would have been of use to me YESTERDAY!!!!"-The Wedding Singer

  • 75 Posted by robertallenone on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:45PM EDT Report Abuse

    much like being on hold - waited and waited for response and nothing page unavailable .... much like most of these supposed helpful'tips' - useless selfserving blather

  • 76 Posted by jpzwick on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:42PM EDT Report Abuse

    how do I get through to gethuman.com

  • 77 Posted by somegirl65 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:32PM EDT Report Abuse

    This might be informative if the LINK ACTUALLY WORKED! Does no good if you can't access the information.

  • 78 Posted by sk_1295 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:26PM EDT Report Abuse

    ur links are not working only?? kepasa

  • 79 Posted by warpedconcerto on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:40PM EDT Report Abuse

    I learned this a while back ... if you just sit there without pressing any buttons at all (and ignore all messages), 99% of the time you get through to an operator ... the other 1% of the time they actually hang up without any input from you.

  • 80 Posted by projectm555 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 8:20PM EDT Report Abuse

    The only way I could get thru to MetroPCS (a ghetto cell phone provider) was to say I was wishing to start new service. A minute later someone came on the line. I cancelled my service.

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

    I will hold a short time and enter the "select" options until I know I will not get a "live" person. Simply hit the "*O" or "#O" if one or the other does not get your results, and then you will get a live person. Just that simple. Works everytime. Once this occurs...and you have a live person,remember they are only working there and sometimes the formate they are instructed to say isn't what you want to hear. Simply explain that you understand they only work there and can't always make adjustment.....so "PLEASE pass me to your supervisor, manager, or person capable of making those decisions". Usually this will happen. Don't take your anger out on the low person on the list....go to the top if possible. GOOD LUCK.

  • 84 Posted by nicolasthorp on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    My worst nightmare was yesterday dealing with a major US retail store. Their call center in Bombay, India took my first message, which was not executed and then I called again only to be connected with a call center in the Philippines and the operator asked me what the time was in USA. Finally after threatening and demanding to speak with a supervisor did an American voice from customer relations call me back after about 4 hours. I understand that companies look for cost savings but when it drives customers up the wall what then is the cost as especially this particular retail store has lost any future business from me, which ran into the thousands of dollars.

  • 85 Posted by orderonebay on Fri Feb 15, 2008 4:12PM EST Report Abuse

    it is funny that these call centers want you to press 1 to speak English. Do they want pesos for payment. Dollars are written in English. I have been in the military overseas. I can't imagine Germany, France, China, etc... accomodating for other languages. They are too proud and so should we be. If you come here then learn the language the currency has on it. Too bad for the companies who wish to sell to people so bad that they will accomodate. Too bad for the people who are here who are illegal or legal who don't want to learn English. They could have these jobs which are going to India. Are the Mexicans really proud that they clean dishes, clean houses, cook food, bag groceries and mow loans for America. This is all that there is when you are too lazy, and unwilling to learn the language in this country which is spoken most.

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