....bLoOpErS sA CaLL cEnTeR....

The Business Processes Outsourcing (BPO) is a booming industry here in the Philippines, especially the call centers. The government in fact sees the call centers as the new cash crop, next to migrant workers, which could help the nation rise from poverty. Laws supporting this industry are currently being deliberated upon. It is surprising to find so many Filipino youths who are quite adept at communicating through English language, despite reports of decline in English proficiency among students. The thing with call centers is that one need not be a college graduate or a professional to be hired. The industry likewise provides one of the highest entry-level salary rate in the Philippines.After India, we have the second call center industry in the world now, and we are still growing. Further expansion is foreseen because outsourcing companies believes the Filipinos can speak English more fluently than Indians, and they do so with less distinct accent. However, English is still not our primary language and oftentimes faux pas happens during calls. But of course the language is not always the culprit, at times even it's the American customers who commits the boo boos. Here are some examples:
FROM my call center bloopers siguro masyadong stress lang kaya nagkakaganito...
Bato-bato sa langit ang tamaan wag magalit....


Call agent getting the customer's credit card info:
Agent: Can I have YOUR EXPIRATION DATE, sir?
Customer: My what?

Call agent giving promo spiels:
Agent: Yes ma'am... We have a cheaper rates right now in the market, and we have free registration, no connection charges, and no hidden charges. That's a great offer, DI BA bongga?
Customer: ???

Agent verifying info from customer:
Agent: Is that a P for..... (thinking)... Ping-Pong?
Customer: No, it's B.
Agent: Oh, B, like BING-BONG.

Customer trying to ask for costumer care number:
Customer: I need to know your phone number coz ill be the one to phone you back
Agent: For that concern, you can call our customer service at www.callselect.ca
Customer: Call where???!!

Agent wrapping up the sale:
Agent: Our VERIFICATORS will contact you within the next few minutes to verify information on you...
Customer: Uhm.... say what, now. Who's gonna call me?
Agent: The VERIFICATORS, sir.

Agent verifying availability of valid mode of payment:
Agent: By the way, sir, do you have a CRAYDIT card in your name?

Agent verifying customer's location:
Agent: That's 1524 WOODS DR . So, you're in 1524 woods door?
Customer: No, it's drive.
Agent: Ah, OK, DRIFE.

Agent giving the customer service web address:
Agent: It's S- as in star, T- as in tango, A- as in apple, R- as in romblon, T- as in Tango, E.... elephant...........C- tsarot.....

Agent wrapping sale, trying to give the confirmation number to customer:
Agent: I will now be giving you the confimation number and costumer service number, do you have a PEN and BALLPEN with you?

Agent trying to create urgency over the available promotion:
Agent: Are you sure you don't want to take advantage of me?
Customer: Say, what?

Agent trying to upsell a warranty:
Agent: ...... no bad connection sir i warranty you that....

Agent was asking the customer about the cost of his long distance service:
Agent: Let me just ask you.... How much are paying with your current provider right now?
Customer: Well, I'm only paying 10 cents per minute calling Cuba (--which is way cheaper than what the agent was offering)
Agent: (Surprised) tag-pila??!!

Agent getting customer's address:
Agent: Can I have your address, please?
Customer: It's twenyfurfif-ysavan noryaorkgh road (2457 NORTH York Road)
Agent: Can you repeat that ULIT?

Agent asking the customer to be put on hold:
Agent: Sir, Can I hold you for just a minute?
Customer: Sure, baby, go ahead!

Agent verifying correct spelling:
Agent: Is that a B as in boy, or a B as in Bravo?
Customer: ...uhmmm... how about B as in Boy..

Agent verifying info:
CS: Come again, sir?!!!
Cust: Oh sure, baby!!!
(Siguro egoy 'tong customer n'ya.)

Agent from a phone company entertaining a Visayan customer:
Cust: hiillo! wala kasi yung bell ng pon namin???...
CS: Hindi naman po ba nabagsak yung phone?
Cust: Hende naman...
CS: Kailan pa po ito nagsimula?
Cust: Ang alen?
CS: .Na hindi po nagri-ring yung phone?
Cust: Nagre-reng naman ah?!
CS: Di ba wala pong ring?
Cust: Hende! yong BELL!.. yong lestahan nong babayaran namin!!!...
CS: aahhh... yung BILL?!!!

Agent: Sir, that is C for Cubao, Q for Quiapo.....

Customer: I don't want to talk to you.
Agent: Who do you want to talk to?
Customer: I want to talk to the highest person.
Agent:who??
Customer: I said, I want to talk to your supervisor.
Agent: speaking...
Customer: you are the supervisor?!i want to talk to your manager...
Agent:speaking...
Customer:you are the supervisor and the manager!!!?? let me talk to the president of the company!!!!!!
Agent: speaking...
Customer:$%$*&% , I rather talk to myself...

agent: yeah sir!!! we have the bist service!!! no connection charges, no monthly fees, no hidden charges, no maintenance fee and no network!!!!

agent entertaining dnc clients
client: youre useless!!!!
agent: what??? curiousless???

Irate Customer: F***k you!
Call agent: Sir, we're not allowed to say "F***k YOU!" here...

Agent: May i have your date of birth sir???
Client: its November 1, 1965
Agent: ohhhh... Your birthday is..... the day of the living dead???