Operator, could you help me place this call?

Sometimes I hate answering the phones at work. But seeing as I'm the receptionist, that's my job. Most of the time it's not a big deal. The phones generally aren't THAT busy and most people can be helped fairly easily.

Unless they're calling for tech support.

We've only got two techs in our office and one of them is generally away from his phone so that just leaves one. And the majority of the people that call are calling for tech support. And the problems they call about are not always easily remedied so tech support could be on the phone with one client for a very very long time. See a problem?

Sometimes people try to hold and wait for our techs to get off other calls. They could be waiting for a very very long time. Sometimes they'll try calling back. Usually the tech will be on the phone every time. Maybe with the same client, maybe with another client. Either way, you can't get through.

So, when people call and say they "desperately" need to talk to a tech and they're on another call there's really nothing I can do so stop acting so helpless. If they're not available, they're not available no matter how "desperately" you need them. Everybody else is having the same problems. What makes you so special? Take a number, get in line.