What's your very first call story?

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My first call was working for Gateway tech support back in the 90s... Had this little old lady on the line who was setting up her brand-new computer. We got everything set up, and I was telling her to use her mouse to click the start button. What's a mouse? As I try to explain, she says OH, you mean my foot pedal? She had plugged it in and put it on the floor like a sewing machine pedal. hehe. Love old people, so adorable.

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My first call story was pretty easy. I was so nervous to be on the phone. I had heard so many horror stories about customer service so I was just expecting to get cussed out but she was very polite and just wanted to pay her bill

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My first call center was GTE, working as a directory assistance operator. We were only allowed to say four things. Open the call - “City and listing, please.” At every ten seconds of dead air time - “One moment, please.” On finding the correct number - “Hold for the number, please.” If no one was on the line when we got connected - after ten seconds, repeat, “City and listing, please.” After ten more seconds, “Operator leaving the line.” And we would disconnect and go to the next call. I have worked in 10 call centers since then, and that was the most mind-numbing job I’ve ever had.

When I took a call from Detroit, and client couldn't use our software--which required an internet connection. Turned out their satellite dish was under a couple of feet of snow!

My first call was in mobile insurance. I stumbled my way through it. The guy I spoke to must have taken pity on me because he asked me to get a manager and told him what a delight I was and how well I did. That then got emailed to the entire department which was a lil embarrassing but it was my first call centre call and it was definitely memorable!

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Additional Posts in Customer Support

Remember most customer reps do want to help you. In some cases they just need to go through RED TAPE. 🙂

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