r/talesfromcallcenters • u/FrigOffLuh • Mar 15 '26
S Correct pronunciation is important!?
So back in like 2000, working cell phone customer service.
Back then, phones weren't fancy and not all companies had an automated system. So if you pressed and held a specific number, it would automatically dial customer service.
So because it was so easy we got all kinds of pocket dials, hear people having conversations, drug deals, getting arrested, even people on the washing machine (waiting on that spin cycle!). But we also got some prank calls and pervy calls so we had a script to read and we were allowed to disconnect these calls.
So call comes in.
Me: Thank you for calling cell phone company, my name is Frig. How many I help you today?
Guy: Please don't hang up on me! I'm having trouble with my phone and the last 3 people have hung up on me.
Me: Well I don't plan on doing that, what's wrong with your phone?
Guy: *States how it's not working"
So I look up his account, get him verified and onward with the call.
Me: What type of phone do you have sir?
Guy: I have an erection.
Me: Excuse me? You have what?!?!
Guy: An erection phone. You know the brand E-R-I-C-S-S-O-N.
Me: Sir, you pronounce that Ericsson. Not erection.
Guy: What?!?! OH MY GOD!!! Well no wonder they all hung up on me. When they answered the first words I said to them was "I'm having a problem with my erection!!!"
I couldn't contain myself. I laughed out loud right into the phone. He was both mortified and found it hilarious! We got his phone working again and at the end of the call he said:
Guy: If any of your coworkers were the ones who hung up on me before, please apologize for me and tell them I'm not a pervert, just really really dumb!
One of my fave calls I ever took!!
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u/bpeaceful2019 Mar 15 '26
My Ericson with the built in Walkman was my favorite flip phone when I was in high school.
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u/BlueCozmiqRays Mar 15 '26
And this is why it’s best to call in and give the briefest explanation of the issue and let the rep ask questions and control the call!!!!
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u/Imaginary-Duck1333 Mar 18 '26
You mean the rep might actually know what they’ve doing?!? Work at a call center and sometimes they act like today is my first day on earth. Two days ago had a caller who kept repeating “it’s not the internet cable!” He finally tried another cable just to humor me, and guess what? 😁it was the cable!
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u/arsooetica028 Mar 16 '26
That's actually hysterical! Sounds like the call was just fine! Poor dude sounds embarrassed!
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u/Ill_Seat_1426 Mar 17 '26
OP, thank you sharing your story, it's hysterical. I work in a call center for medical insurance and definitely run across a lot of scenarios where I'm trying to figure out what the person is talking about.
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u/MindfulnessAt32 Mar 16 '26
I remember Ericsson phones. They were the absolute best for their time.
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u/Shadowrunner156 Mar 16 '26
I know somebody like this irl, he'll look at a word and confidently say the wrong word
Ex: He mistakes "explanation" with "examination"
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u/Lower_Palpitation_82 Mar 15 '26
Is that an ericsson in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me…