Call Centres

There is nothing worse than a so-called customer service centre that puts you through those really annoying button pressing systems, then repeats the same "calls may be recorded" nonsense about 3 times, then tells you to hold (for what seems like forever) then when you get through some muppet at the end of the line tells you his/her computer system is down and can YOU call back! This delightful experience - which sadly seems commonplace these days - was today courtesy of our 'friends' at Transport for London.

This fabulous service was topped off by me calling back and having the phone hung up by some incoherent telephonist who just said "sorry really busy at the moment can you call back" - what, AGAIN?!

Why do so many call centres think that we want to press loads of buttons - hands up if you do?
Why do so many companies think we want to call THEM back - they're busy? Why not offer to call ME back?
Why do companies think giving me a issue reference number is sufficient to get me off the phone! I want REAL, good old fashioned help. With people who care, understand and are empowered to make a difference...not some buck-passing call-centre chicken who doesn't get the idea of customer service!