Working in a call centre definitely has its moments. There’s a great team, solid banter and some ridiculous customers. Over the past year and a half, I’ve come to realise that though there’re a number of people phoning in daily, they can all fit into seven different categories.
- The hard of hearing.
I love these customers. We’re a newspaper company and so have a lot of older customers, because apparently young people don’t read the newspaper any more. These are those customers that can’t hear well, call you anything but your actual name (after ten minutes of explaining my name is Sinelle, I’ve given up and now you can call me Patricia) and make you shout to be heard- YES, AGNES, YOUR PAPER WILL BE THERE IN ONE HOUR!
Often the office sounds like a fish market with all the raised voices, but it’s not bad. These are usually lovely people who chuckle at their own lack of hearing.
- The passive-aggressive.
These are the customers who may not necessarily call often, but when they do, you’ll be in for a surprise. It’s nice on the surface until, despite your best efforts, things can’t go their way (as Katy Perry put it- watch out for the Regina George in sheep’s clothing). That’s when you know to be prepared and expect a call to your manager the next day.
- The jokesters.
These customers are great. Even when their issues leave them slightly annoyed, they manage to slip in a few jokes every few sentences. Even the geriatrics who ask you out on a date after you give them excellent customer service (not as raunchy as it sounds) makes you smile. These customers keep the conversation light, which is a welcome relief, and almost certainly finish it with “have you got a million dollars I can borrow?”
Classic.
- The ones who need a chill pill.
Ah, angry customers. A stereotype I’d rather didn’t exist. These are the customers who come in with an angry mind-set and nothing you say or do will change that.
As a customer service representative (rep) the best you can do is grin and bear it, and help out in any way you can. They’re armed and ready and not afraid to threaten to take you to Fair Go, even if the fault lies on their end (“Who even reads the Terms and Conditions!”). However, we believe in bringing out the best in people so bonus chocolate to anyone who can calm them down and make the angry customer the Jokester!
- The ones who jabber.
Some people like to talk… and talk and talk and talk. Our job as reps is to keep the conversation on topic- though if I’m being honest, this is my favourite type of customer. I love to hear their stories, of growing up in the 1950s, their conversion to religion or their grandchildren. However, I draw the line at cats. Binky and Fluffy just aren’t on my list of favourite topics.
Come home time though, and I’d rather not have this customer. Before going home to be anti-social with my cup of tea, I’d prefer to have the ‘straightforward ones’.
- The straightforward ones.
These customers have no time for your fluff.
You want to give them the advantages of phoning in at a certain time, or the benefits of adding their email address? Forget it. These customers keep their conversations limited to what they want, and anything beyond that is an annoying side-effect of phoning in. It’s not a very pleasant experience, but at least it prepares me for dealing with a teenage sister later!
- The nice guys.
They say seven is a lucky number, and if all customers fit into type 7, call centre workers would be the luckiest, happiest people on earth. These customers are hyped on chill pills. They ask you about your day, are very understanding even if they have bigger issues, and just want peace and love in the world.
I can’t say anything more about them, really. It’s a good thing New Zealand has a lot of these.
So there you have it. The seven wonders of the call centre. It’s rough, diverse and a whole lot of fun. Keep at it, Kiwi callers!
Please note: You can also find this piece on www.contactcentrecentral.com
Hehe… That was a fun read. Always been on the other end of the call centre, It was good to read a ‘Rep’s take on the customers 🙂
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Haha thanks heaps! Yeah, until last year I’d always been on the other end too. It’s a crazy different perspective!
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This is so on point gal. Well done. Loving it.
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Thanks Josie!
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Hahaha I had so much fun reading this one. I work in a call centre as well. It has been almost 6 years. I totally feel you, girl 😉
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Haha glad you liked it! 6 years, blimey, it’s been 18 months for me and I was ready to quit 17 months ago hahaha
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Haha yeah I know, it’s a bit tough in the beginning but you get used to it. I think however that it is one of the most difficult jobs. Thank you for your feedback in the Community Pool, that’s so kind of you and you haveno idea how much it means to me 🙂 Thank you
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Haha that I can attest to. And no worries 🙂
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Ive worked in a call center for insurance and have experienced all if these as well! It was bang on and funny!
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Thanks very much! Haha so you know the struggle. Glad you liked it!
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What about the cheapskates?The Indians and asians who call trying to get a bargain or threatning to unsubscribe to the herald or wanting to better deal?
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Good piece. Thanks for the insight. Keep writing
Cheers
Richard
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Thank you uncle Richard!
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Go girl loved every bit of your write up.I have worked in a cc and my favorite ones were ofcourse #7the nice guys.Keep it going Sinelle f.loved it.
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Haha thanks ❤
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Great article sinelle. Looks like Dad’s wit has rubbed off on you 😂 all the best
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Good one Sinelle 👌 straight from the heart. Keep writing & thanks for sharing.
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Thanks very much xx
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Nice article sinelle. Looks like Dad’s wit has rubbed off on you 😂. All the best.
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Haha I can only hope! Thank you 😊
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Customer service expectations are soo much different over the phone as oppose to face to face.When you are over the phone,you are expected to get the job done.When you are stuck,you have to ask people within your department for help.When you are in store,you just phone the call centre for help and they will provide assistance.The customers are more understanding when you are face to face.People are less abusive when they are face to face with you.
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Always. I sort of think of them like the so-called ‘keyboard warriors’. Behind a protective screen, they don’t hold back in their annoyance. Actually they just want their point to be made, and someone to validate that yes, they have been wronged- as long as they believe they’ve been wronged, it doesn’t matter what the actual fact of it is. But you’re right. Just gotta smile and deal haha. Thanks again 😀
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