Reach a Human Via Telephone Quickly
The website lists hundreds of companies, with specific directions for the buttons on your phone to push to reach a human quickly, instead of punching buttons - usually more and more angrily - for minutes. (Then, too often, winding up at a dead end when you hear a cheery "Goodbye" from a computerized voice.)
Reach Dozens of Travel Providers, Airlines, Gear and Clothing Stores, and More
The list numbers in the hundreds, including travel providers, airlines, car rental agencies and other companies of interest to travelers. Here's a scattering: American Airlines, Air Canada, Alamo, Dick's Sporting Goods, Expedia, Hilton Honors, National Car Rental, LL Bean and Orbitz.
This list is valuable even to people who never travel, because it also includes dozens of banks, health- and life insurance companies, credit card companies and dozens of other businesses that millions of consumers try to reach daily.
Reach a Human Tips
The Get Human Tips section on the website has some excellent suggestions. For example, when you get that computerized voice try saying " 'get human' (or 'agent' or 'representative') or raise your voice, or just mumble. :) The IVR might connect you to a human after one of these key or unknown phrases." Another ploy: "Just hold, pretending you have only an old rotary phone."
Advice for Companies With Customer Service Departments
Get Human also has a Call Center Resources section, where companies can learn more about how to offer better customer service.
Who Created GetHuman.com?
The website was founded by Paul English, a Boston-based consumer advocate and entrepreneur, because he was so frustrated trying to get competent customer service. The concept grew so quickly that GetHuman.com is now managed by a three-person team.
