We are currently experiencing a high volume of calls....

I am beginning to think this ubiquitous message plays automatically whenever a call is received by a big company.

Agree, AGAA4.
What is extra maddening is that 'they' must know perfectly well that the same message is used by all utilities, banks etc all the time. And they must also know that the public knows this.

Most have some kind of regulatory bodies who should be holding them to account.

Perhaps this is one way to find out if you are returning a scam call…..if it’s answered then it’s probably a scam! Your call is important to us you are 37 in the queue…..definitely a real company.

I've been on hold for literally hours each day since I moved house, while struggling to contact the utility suppliers, banks and others re change of address, tariffs etc. I have discovered one trick to get through quickly to a real person, which is......

Phone the number given for closing your account. They will answer almost immediately and while telling you that you have phoned the wrong number, will usually switch you through direct to the department you need and no doubt record the call in their stats as one where they have been able to persuade the customer to remain rather than close the account.

It’s really frustrating isn’t it ? I was on hold with my energy company for over an hour yesterday and the excuse is still ‘because Covid’. And yet the double glazing firm I’m using to replace a couple of old windows were amazing. The initial phone call was answered promptly, a face to face video call was arranged, and everything was done simply and efficiently whilst socially distancing - most of their admin staff are still working from home.

Just*

Why can't they join a be honest.

"We only have two agents answering your calls today as we don't want to use our profits to employ more so you may have to wait 30 minutes to be answered."

I just remembered I got a different one from Sky this week.

“Our staff are having a training day so you may have to wait longer to be answered”. I did not wait and eventually sorted the problem myself but took me 20 mins of faffing

My favourite sentence! Well it must be as. I hear it every day ???

Why can’t they employ more staff? And what has happened to being able to email instead? Conspiracy to get rid of irritating customers