How to Get Through Automatic Phone Systems to Speak to a Human

Automated phone systems can be frustrating.

Automated phone systems can be frustrating. If you know the automated service cannot solve your problem, it can be excruciating to push buttons until a live human being picks up the phone. With some companies, it is almost impossible to get to the end of the automated system and talk to a person. There are websites that list the short cuts to get to a human for some companies. With many automated phone systems, dialing "0" will get your call to the operator.

Instructions

1. Dial the phone number of the company you are trying to reach.

2. Listen to the introductory phone message. Occasionally, companies will give you instructions on how to reach a live agent.

3. Press "0". Wait to see if anything happens.

4. Press "0" again if the automated message continues. On some phone systems, "0" has to be pressed two to three times before an operator will answer.

5. Follow the prompts on the phone. For certain corporations, you have to go through the automated system for a period of time before they give you the option to talk to a person.

6. Check online. There are websites that list the prompts to reach a person for specific companies. There are also websites that provide the direct phone numbers to customer service lines with live people, and you effectively avoid the automated message.

References

• Get Human: Need a company phone number? Other tips or information?
• Everything Under the Moon: Dial-a-Human Shortcuts