Dear LPG,

Here is something that I think it is worth knowing. 

I learned long ago that when phoning a company, your doctor or organisation in order to get some information that you may need in the future it is always good to keep a note of what happened during the call and the date it took place on. 

When you first get through, (or should I say once you finally get through) to such an organisation after what can often be quite a long wait these days, the music or message that you hear will start by informing you that for whatever the purpose they will be taping your call.

Sometimes you will be promised a call back if the advisor you get through to needs to research your query and, as we all know by now there is value in being able to identify the person you originally talked to in that event.   The thing that I am sure that most of us have learned is that, at the end of any call, if you have not been told at the beginning, it is always good to ask for the name of the advisor you have been talking to though these days this is not really enough. 

It is also important to find out which call centre you have been routed through to in addition to a name.  Many banks, private and utility companies have more than one call centre and phoning a particular number will not guarantee that you get through to the same location.  So when you ask for a name also ask for the location where the advisor is based. You may think that this only happens with larger companies but there are now agencies that provide call centre services to smaller companies just to make the whole process even more complicated.

So being armed with that little bit of extra information if you need it can be quite valuable. 

JB, Beckenham.

LPG found just some of the companies that do nothing but provide call centre services for other companies for those who are interested..

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