Folding laundry while on hold actually got me through to a human

I was stuck on hold with the electric company for 45 minutes yesterday, the worst kind of hold music loop. I got so bored I started folding a pile of shirts on my kitchen table, right in front of the speaker. Like a minute later, someone actually picked up, and I swear it was because I stopped pacing and just made noise. Has anyone else noticed that moving around or doing something else makes those automated systems finally patch you through, or was it just dumb luck?

2 comments

2 Comments

mark_mitchell8d ago

Oh man, that reminds me of when I tried to reorder checks for my bank account and got stuck in that stupid automated loop. I finally gave up and started vacuuming my living room with the phone tucked between my ear and shoulder. The moment I turned the vacuum on, some lady came on the line all cheerful asking if I was still there. I had to shout over the noise that yes I was still there, and she probably thought I was crazy. There's something about making noise or being busy that seems to wake those systems up, or maybe it's just that they can tell you're not waiting patiently anymore. Either way, next time I'm stuck on hold I'm breaking out the laundry basket too.

garcia.tyler8d ago

The part about them knowing you're not waiting patiently anymore hit me hard. I swear these systems have some kind of sensor for frustration. I did the same thing last month with my internet provider, started folding laundry and suddenly a real person picked up in like 30 seconds. Felt like a total idiot but also kinda victorious. It's crazy that we have to fake being busy just to get basic help. Your vacuum trick is genius though, I'm stealing that for next time.