phone calls

The other day I phoned a bank and it took me 75 mins to get through. Yesterday I tried to phone Wigan Infirmary after the phone ringing for about 5 mins I was put onto an automated queue which said I was "108" in the queueThis seems the norm and some companies are making a fortune before they will answer the phone. Before Covid Wigan Council were nearly has bad with wait times of over 30 mins. I put the phone on speaker phone and get on with what I want to do And this were they say press "1" and we will ring you back some never do

Those phone queues are so annoying, but as long as you're hanging on, someone is making money.
The most annoying thing for me is the hospitals and GP surgeries with their TVs and muzak. I like to read a book when I'm waiting at the GP/hospital and that racket is such a distraction. Presumably the NHS are paying for thst rubbish.

I've been on the phone to the passport office for most of the day.
Go through that same rigmarole every time only to be told, via recorded message, that my call can't be taken right now and then I'm cut off.

They keep sending me e-mails telling me to return my old passport, which I did in April. I paid signed delivery for it. I have tracked it, said it was received and signed for on April 22nd. Passport office have sent 3 e-mails the last one being on the 2nd of May, asking me to return my old one
Can't get any joy on the internet or on the phone. Soooo frustrating.

Jathbee,
Same here. From reading reports it takes an inordinate amount of time to get a passport renewed. Used to walk into a local office, complete your form and it would be with you in a couple of weeks. Is it down to management or the calibre of staff? All these people working from home needs stopping. Lots of other professions worked right through Covid. If they refuse to return stop their money. They are concerned about Covid but I bet they are out wining and dining at nights/weekends.

Broady: what needs to happen is someone, maybe a class action, taking them to court and bringing in the Union as a 3rd party.

Finally got an e-mail confirming that they have received my old passport.
Now all I have to do is wait for it being processed