Ever try explaining to someone that they’ve dialed the wrong number but insist they need to reach their cousin Gary who’s buying a house? Last week I spent ten minutes scheduling an appointment for a Gary who clearly wasn’t in our system. Sometimes being a receptionist feels like a game show where the prize is sanity.
, I totally get it — spending so much time on a call like that drives me nuts! I’ve had my own adventures with people insisting they’re supposed to talk to someone named Gary. Sometimes, if I can’t get them off the phone fast enough, I start to think a simple ‘wrong number’ card would save us all a lot of time.
I’ve had my share of misdialed calls too, and one trick I use is to ask for the number they’re trying to reach while keeping the tone light. This sometimes helps them realize it’s not even close to our office. Ever had someone stubbornly stick to their story, though?
I’ve found that when someone insists they need a specific person, gently redirecting them can help. For instance, saying, “I can help you, but could you confirm the number you’re calling from?” often leads them to realize they’re mistaken. Have you ever tried that approach during one of those ten-minute calls?