Wednesday

WFMW-Get Human

If I added up all the hours I've waited for a real, live, breathing person to answer my customer service phone calls, lo, they would be many.

And if I could recapture all those lost hours, my house would probably be clean.

Or my laundry would be done.

Okay, maybe I'd just have some bonus Twitter time.

The point is, I wouldn't have an ear shaped like a cauliflower.

Recently, I discovered a very helpful website called Get Human.

And well, just like the name, the promise of speaking to a human on the phone is real.

I can feel the tears welling up even now.

This comprehensive site has hundreds of phone numbers that help you bypass all the waiting and phone holding (not to mention the elevator music) with some helpful shortcuts.

It almost makes me long for an excuse to speak with a customer service rep.

Almost.

Get Human, it works for me!

{Thank you for joining me for WFMW! I'm so glad you're here. You can read the guidelines here. You will find they are exactly like Shannon's from Rocks in My Dryer. I'm excellent at copying and pasting. Some changes may occur in the future, but for now, the host is the only difference in this carnival.}

Have a Works-For-Me Wednesday tip you'd like to share?  I'd love for you to join us!  Please note that the links will close at 8 pm CST Wednesday night, in order to keep away the spammers!

Was your link deleted? Click here.

Links have now been closed. Please join WFMW again next week!
Works for Me Wednesday Participants
1. Homemaker Barbi (Professional Homemaker)
2. Amy @ Finer Things (got recipes?)
3. Living With Lindsay (Swatch Organizer)
4. Robin ~ PENSIEVE (SAVE a WET CELL Phone!)
5. Amanda Henson
6. WEIGHT WATCHERS & REAL FOOD? - Kelly the Kitchen Kop
7. Kirsty@Momedy~Pimples AND Wrinkles! Affordable Solutions.
8. Laura @ Heavenly Homemakers (Ranch Potato Wedges!)
9. Smockity Frocks (Photo Poster Giveaway)
10. Bake at 350 (kitchen must-have)
11. Lisa@ Elbows (Budge that Budget)
12. All that Naz-Doctoring Cake Mixes
13. Mom of Faith (Travel Toy Boxes)
14. Kaycee (Banish Brain Fog)
15. "Cents"able Momma (Make Your Own Chocolate Easter Cross)
16. Homemaker\'s Cottage- ever heard of Agave Nectar?
17. Kelly\'s Krazy Kids (Easter)
18. Colored With Memories (get your kids to SLEEP)
19. Raising Olives (laundry soap)
20. The Cozy Country Home (organic breakfast muffins)
21. Colleen - Mommy Always Wins (blog design tips)
22. It Feels Like Chaos (helpful TV)
23. Holly@Homebody(Easier Blogger Photos)
24. Muthering Heights - Easy Toy Organization
25. Upstatemomof3
26. Stretch Mark Mama (Good books for teaching kids to read - and giveaway!)
27. HookedonHouses (beautiful living)
28. the BLAH BLAH BLAHger (photography workshop/pursuing your dreams)
29. jennifer displaying pictures and artwork
30. Frugal Girls! {125 Grapefruit!}
31. Carolina Mama (Family Giveaway)
32. Cooking During Stolen Moments (lots of goodies and a flop!)
33. Kristie- This Side of Eternity (Homeschool Boredom Busters)
34. Ali (fresh squeezed OJ)
35. Elizabeth (Organizing for the Creative Person)
36. A Simple Walk (permission to have a bad day)
37. Jen@Balancing Beauty and Bedlam(remind me - kids)
38. Many Little Blessings (Renting a Condo for Vacation)
39. The Happy Housewife ~ Grinding Wheat
40. Happy to be at Home ~ Vacation from Home
41. Working Mom (sewing patterns)
42. Kate @ Which Proverbs 14:1 Woman?
43. Happy to be at Home ~Give yourself a break
44. La (Pretty Shampoo Bottles)
45. Sandwiched (Twitter!)
46. Amy @ MOMSTOOLBOX (birthday castle cake)
47. Erin (computer boundaries)
48. Organic and Thrifty (Nutrient-dense Kid food)
49. In...Fence (Chore Chart)
50. Anne@ teachingtwo.com (kids activities)
51. momstheword (Organizing toys)
52. Homeschool Classroom (Benefits of Joining a Co-op)
53. NerdFamily Food (Easy Corned Beef)
54. Lizzie\'s Home (recipe card file hack)
55. Amber (online time management)
56. Cooking Up A Family- Making the Gym Work for Me plus giveaway
57. Tina in Thailand -excellent icing
58. MemeGRL (writing on the wall)
59. Katie in Europe
60. ElizabethG (simplifying tax time)
61. Kristin -The Goat (cool drinks)
62. Amyswandering (Irish Dinner Recipes)
63. Carol (extend razor blade life)
64. Green Baby Guide (Secondhand Kids Clothes)
65. Home School Dad (50 State Quarters Give-a-way)
66. GROCERY CART CHALLENGE (green GIVEAWAY!)
67. Runningamuck (Glorious Peeps)
68. Jenny Beth @ JenuineJen (Ultimate Blog Party)
69. Sunnymama (art easel in a small space)
70. WayMoreHomemade (Kitchen Tips - Onions & mitigating the tears)
71. Brianna @ Heart(h) Management (Filtering Through Eternity)
72. CHEESESLAVE (Charlie & Lola\'s "Pink Milk" Made Healthy)
73. Lisa@BlessedwithGrace(instant potatoes)
74. Our Nifty Notebook (Removing Grease Stains)
75. Donielle @ Raising Peanuts (A Universal Wish List)
76. 320 Sycamore (homemade granite cleaner)
77. Tasha @ Hectic Calm (keeping cheese fresh longer)
78. Amy @ Experience Imagination (get free clothes)
79. Suzanne (organizing email)
80. Melonie K. (have diapers, will travel!)
81. ImagineCozy(matching furniture)
82. Brandi @ My Cup Runneth Over.... (Family Movie Night) ~ I\'m New
83. Maria D. (Frugal, Filling Snack)
84. se7en (home school questions by home schoolers)
85. Keri (Candle Wax)
86. Gennaro | Chocolate
87. FoodRenegade (curing a sugar fiend)
88. lynn (10 fish-buying tips)
89. Amber @ Classic Housewife (Blueberry pancakes)
90. Sandra @ A Lot of Savings (Packing Light Using Free Samples)
91. LaVonne (Swagbucks)
92. Molly Green (Travel Tips)
93. Animators Wife (indoor herb garden)
94. Apron Strings Aflutter (Homemade Dog Shampoo)
95. Lisa @ Stop and Smell the Chocolates (All-Natural Instant Mashed Potatoes)
96. JanMary (homemade chicken soup)
97. Tracey @ Girls to Grow (Jog my Memory)
98. BusyMom (Improving Kid\'s Handwriting)
99. *Michelle* (my 100th post FREE giveaway)
100. Leanne - Frozen Treats
101. Susan (Easter Egg Tree)
102. Common Cents Mom (15 Ways to Save Through Spring Break Giveaway)
103. Mommy Making Money (Kids Eating Fruits & Veg)
104. Jenny @ Irish my Marriage (Test Anxiety Help)
105. Tara @ Feels like Home (choc peanut butter balls)
106. Heather @ JustDoingMyBest (homemade cleaner)
107. sarah at i blame mom (magazine article organization)
108. Beth @ A Mom\'s Life - Extending Life of Razor Blades
109. Kate\'s Kitchen: Homemade cards
110. Julie From Inmates (Peek & GIveaway)
111. Shannon (fair-trade chocolate giveaway)
112. steadymom (preschool art inspiration)
113. Fairion - Dry Erase Markers
114. WLBA (Prevent Razor Bumps)
115. MC (Free Stock Photos!)
116. Manda @ LambsInHisArms (Morning Quiet Time Tips)
117. Stephanie (**Time &Childrens Chores**)
118. Erin (Paperback Swap)
119. Susan @ Practicing Thrift (most popular posts)
120. FIMBY (Homeschool Art & Music Appreciation)
121. Ginger Vinegar and Tide - (Do these things really go together?)
122. Sherry @ Lamp Unto My Feet (Kitchen Timer)
123. LFinn (cleaning your crockpot)
124. Parenting the Tiniest of Miracles (Having A Flexible Spending Account)
125. Jerri (Bathroom Stone)
126. Hoosier Homemade (Scheduling Housework)
127. Counting Sprinkles (Saving money)
128. Jolanthe (Keep up Easily with Blogs)
129. KLee (party planning)
130. Alicia (birthday without the party!)
131. CENTS TO GET DEBT FREE (MAKING OUTSIDE COMPOST BIN)
132. Bailey\'s Leaf (CFL Lifespan Tips)
133. Kama (date night ideas)
134. Frugal Carol - Frugal Gardening
135. Pink Explosion (adding more zest at the zoo!)
136. Vanessa @ Simple Bliss(simple green cleaning)
137. flexible dreams (potty training)
138. Denise@viewfromtheglen (3 kids 8 songs = On Time Every Morning)
139. Gina (Find the Best Deals On Etsy)
140. Buffie (Gas Discounts)
141. FamilyMakesCents (restaurant savings)
142. exhale. return to center. (our klean kanteens)
143. Michelle (Homeschooling with littles)
144. HeatherB (responsibilities & rewards system)
145. Stephanie @ The Coupon Game (Easy Healthy Italian Burgers!)
146. Camian Academy (Cheap craft supplies for kids)
147. Kimba (spray paint)
148. jubilee (almost no mess tacos)
149. Weird, Unsocialized HS\'ers (Avoiding Ironing)
150. Blossoming Skillet (Instant Cream of Blank Soup)
151. Lynn (fast and easy recipes)
152. Becky (reverence chair)
153. Nichole (muffin cups)
154. LANA-get Your Preschooler to Eat Healthy
155. Musings of Housewife (HEALTHY MAC & CHEESE)
156. Songbirdtiff (accidental decorating!)
157. Jean Stockdale (Comfy Shoes)
158. Val@Team Hill (cavity free kids)
159. Christy @ Mercy Every Morning (freezer breakfast recipe)
160. Sarah (Breastfeeding tips)
161. Houstonmom (free buckets)
162. Everything Moms (Making walks fun)
163. Newlyweds (Garden)
164. Christine (when kids lie)
165. Hip Organic Mama (Cauli-Power)
166. Christin (morning routine)
167. Kim (Thrift store shopping)
168. Christy Klein
169. Kari (freezer tips)
170. Amanda from Faith, Food and Family (Frugal Soup stocks without even cooking!)
171. Wani (50% storewide at Goodwill)
172. Linda\'s Lunacy(store card passwords)
173. mama2tlc (frugal shopping)
174. Brandi@Purposeful Womanhood Beans, Beans Musical Fruit
175. Laryssa @Heaven In The Home (Healthy Eating On A Budget)
176. Missy@Simply Red(holding juice boxes by the "ears")
177. Tara (cute tie on kitchen towels
178. Superchikk (Fruit Crisps - Healthy Snack)
179. Tanna (Organizing Clothes)
180. Multi-Tasking Mommy (reading flyers)
181. Erika (Summer Clothing Fix)
182. Jeni (BEST washable markers)
183. pennypinchinmomma( being content)
184. Joni (Freezing Peppers)
185. Michelle (crafting for pre teens)
186. Kristen (laundry day)
187. Cindy (Diaper deal)
188. Condo Blues (cleaning spray bottle)
189. Jennifer @ Joyful & Graceful Living (Keeping Your Sanity)
190. Joanna @ Grace In The Home (McDonald\'s Playground Suggestions)
191. Penny Raine
192. BeyondJustMom (getting kids to talk)
193. Jennifer @ Lirazel (cobweb remover)
194. Jacquelyn (DH hog the covers?)
195. AngieD.- laundry tip
196. Taylor at Household Management 101 (first aid kit checklist)
197. Rona - Renewal Ceremony Invitations
198. Dot (crock pot green beans)
199. $5 Dinners (How to Choose and Cut a MANGO!)
200. Martia (I\'ve Been Spanxed)
201. Alicia (1st Time)-Steaming Veggies
202. What\'s Cooking (saving money at home!)
203. Kirstin: Squeegees
204. Beth (Savings on Suds)
205. Trixie (Cheap Cell Phones)
206. angela - rosemary laundry soap
207. Donna @ Another New Season (Using One Note To Organize )
208. Jackie (Hands-Free Pumping)
209. TV Watching Mama (No Fee Mortgage)
210. Aunt LoLo (Better Homemade Bread)
211. the O\'Briens(BEST Baby SLEEP book)
212. Lisa @ The Owl\'s Nest (keeping errands organized)
213. Nikke (reading)
214. BossSanders (Display your child\'s artwork)
215. Kendra @FamilyMgrKendra (Shopping List helper)
216. Saver Queen (medicine or tasty snack? homemade candied ginger)
217. emily (10 minutes!)
218. Effortless Savings (Less Mess Kneading)
219. Lynne(Magic Jack)
220. ChickyMama (easier formula feeding)
221. stacey @ tree, root, and twig (encouraging creative storytelling)
222. Michelle @ Saving Some Green (Tongs)
223. Colleen (Birthday Cereal)
224. Erica Burgan (Mocha Cappuccino)
225. Maren - free coupon website
226. His Girl (DIY Baby Legs - With a Twist!)
227. sarah(beach in a jar)
228. Carrie (monthly menu plans)
229. Crayl (Breakfast on the go!)
230. UnfinishedMom (Be Messy)
231. Seraphima
232. Hi! It\'s me, Jen
233. Simply Catholic (clothing storage)
234. Milehimama (Doesn\'t Work for Me!)
235. Hi! It\'s me, Jen (simple beauty)
236. CcsMomma (Why not laugh)
237. HealthBeginsWithMom (Cooking Whole Chickens)
238. Tons of Sons ~how to hem your own pants
239. Andrea @ rAndom issues (The Placemat Purse)
240. Jodee @ Follow the Leaders (Handy B-Day Bags)
241. Jessica (generic applesauce)
242. Nichole @ A Call to Higher Places (Cloth Diapers)
243. Lauren (Super Easy Recipe)
244. TrentTribe (Easy Easter Craft)
245. Denise @ The Joiners (blog hopping)
246. Garibay Soup (Putting shoes on in the morning)
247. Amy (onion goggles)
248. Farrah @ Wife & Mom of 3 (I\'m So Vain)
249. Bloom Where You\'re Planted! (toy organization)
250. Jessica @ Who Left The Light On? (Free Money - changing banks)
251. Roots & Wings (tea parties 101)
252. Kristine (Eating left over chicken)
253. Jackie @ Blessings Overflowing (Food Cubes)
254. Katchmo: Using Family Wipes Instead of t
255. The Messy Mom (choosing a wedding cake)
256. Katchmo: Using Family Wipes Instead of TP
257. Tracy @ Weighing In (No Iron Needed)
258. Hadley - pretty organizing
259. Sara@Learning the Frugal Life(envelope system)
260. Amy (Skin Cleanser)
261. Julie @ Organizement ( work with what you have)
262. Jan (Preschool lunch)
263. Simply Sweet Home (You Are Not Alone Program) (corrected link)
264. Tori (Homeschooling Works for Me)
265. Jolanthe (Creative Writing GIVEAWAY!)
266. Karina (Car Toys)
267. Pam - Being Fluid
268. sarah (baby bibs)
269. Tiff (Fast Meals)
270. Paula @ Organizing Tips (Making Time)
271. Dana (quick complete breakfast)
272. Lulu ( Keeping a fun bag)
273. Elena @ My Domestic Church family reunion cookbook
274. Meghan (Frugal/Cheap Curtains)
275. Becky@Mama Drama ("to-do papers" organization)
276. saverchic (simplifying couponing)
277. Claywoman (Pumping and Storing Breastmilk)
278. missy @ missysthrifty (Dollar Tree savings)
279. Kerry @ ramblings (homemade yogurt)
280. Kristi_runwatch (Cleaning your microwave)
281. Lis P.( Speedy, tasty pizza crust)
282. citystreams (keeping shoes on a toddler)
283. Mom & Dad to R Kids - packing checklist
284. Kristen (No Aspartame)
285. Lauren@ Home with Olivia
286. CarrieCaribou (kids water play)
287. Annies Home (economical recipes)
288. Lynley @ Savethephillipsfamily (Spring Toddler Craft A Diaper Giveaway!)
289. Sharon (my lifesaver...my iPod...)

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54 comments:

Anonymous said...

What a brilliant idea! I've never heard of such a site. What will they think of next... ?

Anonymous said...

Are you serious? I've never heard of this site. BUT...because like most people, I LOATHE listening to musak or going through a series of recorded messages, sooo...I'll have to check it out. Thanks!

:)

Kimberly @ Raising Olives said...

Sorry, I didn't mean to double post. I forgot to put my WFMW topic. #17 and #19.

Colleen - Mommy Always Wins said...

Sweet! How excellent is THAT?!?

Thanks for sharing!

Colored With Memories said...

what an awesome tip! thanks!

Angela Nazworth said...

I never heard of this before. Great idea.I get so frustrated with computerized people...especially when I am dealing with something that is also irritating. And I love the title Get Human. Love it.

Also, I am so very sad...I was #2 and even though I pre-posted my link on a MR. Linky...the wrong one showed up...so please delete that one, I wouldn't want to mislead. Oh well...not really a big deal in the scheme of life now is it.? :-)But I stand behind my cupcake doctoring

Kirsty said...

Ear shaped like a cauliflower LOLOLOL. Great tip, I will check it out-thanks :)

Holly said...

I try to avoid making phone calls, but next time I need to, I'll check it out. Thanks!
And I still can't figure out how during just one refresh of the page the post can be up and 25 people already linked up ahead of me! :)

Muthering Heights said...

Now that could come in handy!

Julia @ Hooked on Houses said...

I was just talking to a friend about how annoying it is when you try to reach a live person on the phone! It's getting really ridiculous. Thanks for telling us about this!

And thanks for hosting WFMW. It's always a lot of fun! :-)

La said...

And I thought I was brilliant for putting the phone on speaker while I worked. ;)

Amy@ MomsToolbox said...

ooooh. Thanks for that one. I will certainly put it to good use. :)

momstheword said...

I will try this. I am so tired of holding onto the phone all day just waiting for a human voice to talk to me, lol! If I wanted to talk to myself I'd look in a mirror.

Anonymous said...

Get Human rocks! Thanks for the tip!

Anonymous said...

A long time ago I had a cheat sheet of numbers to big companies that circumvented their automated systems. It was lost, but I always remembered what a great idea it was. Thanks for the tip!

Danelle Ice / Homemaker Barbi

Jenny said...

Great idea. Thanks for sharing!

Kristin - The Goat said...

Excellent tip! I keep forgetting about that site. Thanks for the link!!

Have a great day! and thanks once again for being our new host!

Kristin

Donna @ Way More Homemade said...

That's very interesting. Will have to keep that in mind.

ImagineCozy said...

I have heard of that... but I did not know where to find the info. Thanks!

se7en said...

I have to ask... Why is it called customer service anyway! More like customer dis-service... When you have to spend days on end on hold it isn't exactly service and as for the sweet background music - aahhhhh!!!

Anonymous said...

Really. Huh. How cool is THAT?!! I'll have to remember that for those certain bill companies that are harder to navigate. :) Thanks!

Anonymous said...

This is AWESOME! I will have to try this the next time I need to talk to customer service! Thank You!

Unknown said...

What a great idea! Will check it out. Are you enjoying hosting WFMW?!

Unknown said...

Not sure if it works in US, but here if you do not select any of the options to press 1, 2 or whatever, you usually eventually get to speak to a human.

I made it into the first 100!!!

Jodee said...

Thanks for letting me join your linky party today! Hope you have a great day!

Manda said...

This is my first time participating in Works for Me Wednesday...thanks for hosting it!

Shell in your Pocket said...

Never heard of this before....
sandy toe

Sherry @ Lamp Unto My Feet said...

Wow! I've never heard of that. It definitely beats the cauliflower ear. :D

Anonymous said...

Getting human wfm too... ha! Have to check that out.
Ginger

Jerralea said...

Thanks for the tip. It will especially be useful for my hubby because he is hard of hearing and gets frustrated with automatic calls.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for hosting! I'm glad to be able to join in!
~Liz

Anonymous said...

Wow, I have never heard of this, but what a great idea. The next time I have to call customer service I will check this out first.
Toni

susan said...

Wow! I bet the "powers that be" are not going to be happy that you've let the cat out of the bag! Thanks for the helpful info!!

Unknown said...

Oh I wish we had something like this in the UK. I've actually started to get really fussy about the companies I use. If I call their number and its automated on the call centre isn't in the UK I think twice before I use them.

Suz said...

Wow ... can't believe all of the links and it's only 8 something in the morning! Awesome!

Aubrey said...

Awesome! I must admit to being tired of muzak and robotic voices. (Like THAT was a hard confession!) Thanks for sharing!!!

Missy said...

Another WFMW. Yeah! I always like the tips here!

Multi-tasking Mommy said...

This is my first wfmw in a VERY long time! Took me a while to find you :)

Unknown said...

I'll have to check this out.

Anonymous said...

That is awesome info. I just emailed all my friends and family this info. Thanks for sharing.

Unknown said...

This is FABULOUS!! Now if they could just come up with some kind of consequence for those pesky telemarketers, ESPECIALLY the ones who hang up on YOU!!! P.S. - It's my first WFMW - Thank you!!!

Anonymous said...

Just love your words of wisdom on the Human. I too am running a contest this week hop on our too my site and sign up Its a fairley new site!

Thanks Again

Rachel@just another day in paradise said...

what a wonderful tip!

Crayl said...

I wish I had known about that site yesterday!
:)Thanks for sharing.

Amanda said...

Awesome!!! I usually sit on the phone and repeat over and over again OPERATOR OPERATOR OPERATOR until I confuse the system to give me an operator LOL

Jendeis said...

Fantastic! Thanks for the tip!

Anonymous said...

Oops, #257 and #258 are me... I couldn't find the delete button discussed in the instructions. Anyway, glad you are hosting this now!

T!ff@ny said...

Now that is a great tip! You know I find it funny that they sure don't have a problem ringing your phone off the hhhooooookkk YET you can never get through to anyone when you try to call! Geesh!

Krisi and Adam said...

What a great site. Thanks for sharing.

carriecaribou said...

Ahh! I will definitely check this out next time I have to make one of "those" calls! The number menus never have an option for what I'm calling about! :)

Honor said...

Hi, thanks so much for taking over WFMQ. I was wondering if anyone has suggested/requested that the links be double-spaced. It would be ever-so-much easier to read if there was just a bit of space between each number. Thanks, and have a great weekend!

Mozi Esme said...

Internet was down, so I didn't get to post yesterday...

WFMW - Y activities for toddlers:
http://moziesme.blogspot.com/2009/03/wfmw-y-crafts.html

Heather said...

How great is this?!!? I never even knew it existed.

I learn something new from you every week!

Thanks!

Anonymous said...
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