Tech solution for being kept in a phone queue?

[nuyorican]

I have to telephone the council on Monday. Last time I did this I was kept in a queue for bang on two hours listening to a crackly recording of Greensleeves. I'm not looking forward to this especially as I'll be working at the time, but still preferable to an email which can take months for a reply.

I was wondering whether there is any kind of tech solution to this? I don't have a landline, iPhone only.

[Gary C]

Last time I got stuck in a queue they kept playing Elton John's 'Rocket Man'

The line 'and I think its going to be a long long time' does nothing for your patience

[nuyorican]

I am surprised some entrepreneurial type hasn’t come up with a solution to this bane of modern life.

[Deep Thought]

nuyorican said:

I am surprised some entrepreneurial type hasn’t come up with a solution to this bane of modern life.

There are various options but I think all of them are from the company end.

Some allow you to select a callback and the system then calls you back when you are at the top of the queue.

Chat is often a good alternative too if the enquiry can be worked that way. I do prefer chat than calling, if I can.

And of course companies are offering more self service options on their website or app.

[Simon_GH]

Some companies offer a ring back service and hold your place in the queue - I’m happy to wait for a call vs an indefinite wait.

[shed driver]

Does this help? Google's "hold for me" available on Pixel phones. I've used it a few times and it seems to work.

SD.

[Terminator X]

Simon_GH said:

Some companies offer a ring back service and hold your place in the queue - I’m happy to wait for a call vs an indefinite wait.

Same and seems to work well.

TX.

[Bluevanman]

I used to have an app for such circumstances, something along the lines of weq4u where they call you back when the number is answered

[ARHarh]

I just phone the second the lines open or as near as I can get, tend to not queue for long then. Or do it via chat type thing on the website.

[MitchT]

Reminds me of the time I had to call the British Gas 24 Hour Helpline, which was clearley named after the amount of time it takes them to answer the phone.

[robsa]

shed driver said:

Does this help? Google's "hold for me" available on Pixel phones. I've used it a few times and it seems to work.

SD.

Yes, Pixels 'Hold For Me' works pretty well.

[nuyorican]

Thanks chaps.

Never heard of a pixel phone. Will look into it.