Your new phone has just been installed. The technician has shown you how to operate the new features. You’ve gone through the manual and you’re ready to rock and roll.
But sometimes, even when you’ve done everything right everything can go wrong. That’s what happened when one receptionist received her new phone set. After a few test runs with the technician it was time to put what she had just learned to practical use.
Mary (names have been changed) sent a page out to all phone sets and all speakers in the dealership – about 40 locations inside and outside. The page went something like this “Bob, to front reception – Bob, to front reception “. This went on for a couple of pages – on the last page out she forgot to press the “hang up” or “release” button. Keeping the page open…
It was in this instant that her fame status changed – because on the last page – when Bob had yet to appear at the front reception – she said “ I don’t know why I page – Bob never shows up “ and some other few choice words.
Her voice broadcasted some unsavory language to everyone – including customers! Everyone dove for the hang up button – running from across the room… but it was too late. Poor Mary, as soon as she realized what had happened she was so embarrassed that not only did she dash for the release button but she actually crawled under her desk to hide. And she wouldn’t come out – until some careful urging that everything was going to be ok.
The lesson to be learned here is when you are paging to always make double sure that you have pressed the release button. Not only could it save you from a potentially embarrassing moment like Mary’s but it also prevents all sets from hearing that unpleasant sound we’ve all heard: the amplified sound of the receiver being hung up. (Sounds like clunk, clunk, and rumble – like the receiver has been dropped on the floor)
If you have any stories relating to Telephones and Telecom in general please share with us – your story may be featured (service@telecombydesign.ca) names and companies will always be protected.