Utility Help Lines Hold Music

[andy-hughes]

I love music a lot more than most people, and I can absolutely tolerate music that does not appeal to be personally.

But today, after holding on at the British Gas 'Customer Service' (hahahahahah!!!!) phone line, even I was driven absolutely to distraction by that jangling indie Muzak they played at me, interspersed with the honeyed tones of Ms Voiceover 1977 telling me all about their deals, and how much easier their 'chat line for enquries is ...'.

I am now absolutely convinced that any kind of 'hold' music is created with the sole purpose of driving the customer to delirium, whereupon they simply give up and hang up.

It's either the meaningless pseudo-jazz guff that has literally no melody to it whatsoever, and is just a random series of notes that appear to connect, but the more you hear them on a loop, the more apparent it is that they don't at all, or it's this indie-guitar torture I was given today.

Does anyone else think that a simple beep every thirty seconds would be sufficient to confirm that the call is still open, and that 'hold music' should be confined to the London Dungeon, with the rest of the torture instruments?

[naomi24]

It's a pleasure to hold for British Airways. The Flower Duet by Delibes.

[david small]

I’ve slammed the phone down more than once because of this annoying garbage. I have even stopped using two companies that I frequently spent a considerable amount with because of their hold the line trash.

[ladybirder]

I'm having a similar experience Andy but not as bad, yet!! They are supposed to be installing a smart meter which I desperately need as my gas meter is in a hole in my back garden. Due to my disability I can't read it so a neighbour does it by dangling my iPhone into the hole. They have been promising new meters for yonks but cancelled two appointments so far. I think I'll change to another provider who I know will do it almost immediately.

[Peter Pedant]

that might not be a bad indirect metric, Dafydd
LONG time spent 'listening' to crappy muzak, means badly run company.
I have never understood why so many receptionists are skool leavers when the first thing a new customers sees is a gormless teenager.....

but me, ah me, ..... quis agit mihi dicere coloniam....
( who am I to tell a company how to run its affairs)

( reverse of walter kiam rule - I liked the remington shaver so much I bart the company)

[Peter Pedant]

leddy boooord _ I have nothing good to say about smart meters