How to Talk to a Human if Calling a Business: Tips That Work (2024)

Table of Contents
Things You Should Know Touch-Tone Systems Voice-Response Systems General Advice Community Q&A Additional Resources Tips Warnings You Might Also Like About This Article Is this article up to date?

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Tried-and-true tricks to reach a human operator quickly

Written byKyle Smith

Last Updated: September 27, 2023Fact Checked

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  • Touch-Tone Systems
    • |
  • Voice-Response Systems
    • |
  • General Advice
    • |
    • |
  • Tips
    • |
  • Warnings

Are you tired of the endless loop of automated messages you get whenever you call a government agency or business? Want to speak to a human and not a robot when calling customer service? It's often easier and more efficient to convey what you need to a real person. Luckily, just saying a few magic words or pressing certain buttons can take you straight to a real human being. This wikiHow guide will teach you the easiest ways to talk to a human when calling a business.

Things You Should Know

  • Dial 0, *, or # multiple times. This can take you straight to an operator on some systems.
  • Say "I would like to speak to a person". Or, try "operator," "agent," and “representative.”
  • Call a local branch. Sometimes you can get a real person faster this way!

Section 1 of 3:

Touch-Tone Systems

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  1. 1

    Dial "0". Most of the time, pressing "0" will take you to an operator. If it doesn't, press it multiple times. For many systems, pressing it twenty times will do the trick. You can also try using other symbols in the following step.

  2. 2

    Dial "*" or "#" four or more times. A lot of companies have a special combination (usually repeated keys) to let their sales reps or field technicians get a hold of someone quickly. If you don't have the time or are desperate to avoid the robo-call, keep trying different combinations for a better chance of success.

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  3. 3

    Press nothing and wait. Most systems have support for old "rotary" style phones which cannot submit a silent tone from the newer touch-tone styles. This confusion will register with an operator, and usually will mean being transferred to a human call agent.

  4. 4

    Choose the option for "new service," or "cancel my account". This will usually connect you to a live operator who can help and/or re-direct your call to the right person. Ask them for their name and ID number first, so that they know they can be held accountable for transferring you properly.

    • Alternatively, choose the option for checking your account. When asked for your account number, dial anything.
    • If you can’t get on the line with an operator, you can always try emailing customer service instead.

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Section 2 of 3:

Voice-Response Systems

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  1. 1

    Say "I would like to speak to a person". Or, repeat the words "operator," "agent," and “representative.” You can also try, "I would like to speak with a human being." Since these systems often miss the first 1/4 second of your statement, full sentences allow for a clearer understanding.

  2. 2

    Repeat "complaint". Do it as many times as you can. Many voice-controlled systems have checks for certain words, so you may be forwarded to a human being after three or four repetitions of that word.

  3. 3

    Mumble. Don't say anything distinguishable. If the system hears you making sounds and cannot distinguish words, it usually asks you to repeat yourself twice, then gives up and sends you to customer service.

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Section 3 of 3:

General Advice

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  1. 1

    Call a local branch. You can sometimes talk to a person faster if you call a local branch of that business rather than the national help number. Make sure to get the local branch number from an official source to avoid scam numbers.

  2. 2

    Call during off hours. Almost every call center has a high call volume lately. Try calling early in the morning or midweek. This can help get you to a human operator faster.

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See Also
What to do if my eBay seller account Is blockedHow do I contact eBay's fraud department?How to Handle eBay Claims and DisputesAvoiding EBay Fees: Tips For Higher Profit

Community Q&A

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Add New Question

  • Question

    Do you have any statistics on how often a caller asks a human operator to speak (interact) with an automated answering system?

    How to Talk to a Human if Calling a Business: Tips That Work (15)

    Tom De Backer

    Top Answerer

    It may well happen more often than you might think. Some companies have an elaborate dial-through system for each 'department', when in reality there's only two people in the office, where others actually do use this menu selection to better connect you to the right person. If I do get someone else, I have asked to be put back to the start of the selection rather than for the person to find and connect me to the right one.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!Claim Your GiftIf wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

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    Not Helpful 13Helpful 8

  • Question

    What do I say when transferring a call?

    How to Talk to a Human if Calling a Business: Tips That Work (16)

    MidnightBlue1_1

    Top Answerer

    Explain to the caller why their call needs to be transferred. Give the caller your information before transferring the call.Ask the caller for permission to initiate the transfer. Speak to the party whom the caller is being transferred to first.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!Claim Your GiftIf wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

    YesNo

    Not Helpful 4Helpful 5

  • Question

    Can I get service again because of a past due account if I pay it off?

    How to Talk to a Human if Calling a Business: Tips That Work (17)

    Rudy Toth

    Community Answer

    Sure you can! As soon as your deferred payment plan is satisfactory with the company, you can get service again.

    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    As a small thank you, we’d like to offer you a $30 gift card (valid at GoNift.com). Use it to try out great new products and services nationwide without paying full price—wine, food delivery, clothing and more. Enjoy!Claim Your GiftIf wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission.Support wikiHow

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      Additional Resources

      ResourceDescription
      The Gethuman 500 Database

      An extensive list of companies with information on how to get through to a human on their IVR systems.

      Tips

      • When you get through to an actual person, ask them for a direct number (say that it's in case you get disconnected) so that you can dial it next time, if necessary.

        Thanks

        Helpful0Not Helpful1

      • Ask the person you reach to note specific details of your conversation to your account file. If you're transferred this should help the new operator get up to speed.

        Thanks

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      • Find an amicable operator and be friendly to him or her. Say what you are looking for (and if you have been frustrated by the calling experience, explain your frustration in a gentle manner. Do not attack your new friend.), and often he or she will help you to what you're looking for.

        Thanks

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      Submit a Tip

      All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

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      Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

      How to Talk to a Human if Calling a Business: Tips That Work (18)

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      Warnings

      • Many companies keep an on-going file for your account. If you are rude or use profanity to a representative your account may be noted and that will flag future representatives when you call in again.

        Thanks

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      • If you do choose the option for a Spanish-speaking representative, be aware that you might not get help any faster. Many companies forbid their representatives from speaking to customers in any language other than the one they were hired for, and must transfer customers who are speaking another language to the appropriate representative.

        Thanks

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      • Most automated call systems are designed to speed you along to whomever you're trying to reach. Know that by demanding a human operator you may be slowing yourself down.

        Thanks

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      • If you curse during your conversation with a customer service representative (even just one casual f-bomb), your call may be terminated per company policy.

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      About This Article

      How to Talk to a Human if Calling a Business: Tips That Work (33)

      Written by:

      wikiHow Technology Writer

      This article was co-authored by wikiHow staff writer, Kyle Smith. Kyle Smith is a wikiHow Technology Writer, learning and sharing information about the latest technology. He has presented his research at multiple engineering conferences and is the writer and editor of hundreds of online electronics repair guides. Kyle received a BS in Industrial Engineering from Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo. This article has been viewed 448,488 times.

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      Co-authors: 34

      Updated: September 27, 2023

      Views:448,488

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