Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Posts: 195

Okay, this on hold music has got to go. I'm calling to confirm my order and hopefully, to get a UPS tracking number and as I expected, I'm having to wait a while. In the meantime, I'm being subjected to a form of torture that I thought was long dead - on hold elevator music. What I can't believe is that a group of people actually got together (after someone actually spent time composing and arranging the music), booked a studio, learned to play this stuff, and then recorded it.

So, I'm proposing new on hold music, and wondering if you've got any other ides.

Since some people are calling to cancel their orders, they should play "I can't take any more" by Phil Collins (or whatever the song's called) or "the Thrill is Gone" or "You've Lost that Lovin' Feelin'."

For those like me who are calling with baited breath to confirm their orders and find out when, oh when we'll finally have the thing we've been waiting so anxiously for, they should play "Tell me how am I supposed to live without you" or "Wrapped around your finger."

Since those of us who are anxious to receive ours (if you're as obsessed as I am) check VisorCentral and the Handspring site every five minutes for any new news, they should also play "Every Breath you Take."

Since the most popular color seems to be blue, and there are a lot of people out there who can't make up their minds between "professional" graphite and "fun" blue, they should play "Am I Blue?"

Other ideas?

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 22

I want them to play Vanilla Ice's "Ice, Ice baby"

"Turn off the lights, and I glow!"

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Clinton, UT 84015
Posts: 71

i know exactly what you mean. Then again, right now I am on hold..

They should be playing something a little bit faster, to keep people awake.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Urbana IL
Posts: 144

I wish more companies would just get classical samplers...we always used to throw in random classical CDs at the library I used to work at, and it was much nicer than

a) regurgitated elevator music
b) muzak (worse)
c) light rock ad nauseum

Even if you aren't a big fan of classical many pieces are relatively 'neutral' in tone, so you don't feel as though you are being attacked by your hold music, or nauseated by sickly sweet lyrics/monotonous rhythms. You can also get cheap classical collections for just about no money!

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: San Francisco, CA U.S.A.
Posts: 42

Oddly enough, it's not the music that's bothering me as much as it is the recorded voice message coming on every 30 seconds. I'm on Speakerphone at work and don't feel like getting a sore neck since it's been 45 minutes already, but this guy's voice is just too many decibals louder than the music and traveling cross-cubicle.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Clinton, UT 84015
Posts: 71

I agree. I had to jump off the phone due to work actually wanting some work from me.

so, here I am again, listening to this music and the guy, "Thank you for calling Handspring... This will annoy you until your mind dissolves, and your checking account is emptied... Thank you for calling Handspring..."

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Clinton, UT 84015
Posts: 71

I am still on hold. The message is getting old. I am glad I am not trying to call to cancel. I just want some stylii sent to me. This is the first call I have attempted since my order.

Now, I feel like Pheobe on Friends. Trying to get through. Except, they don't state how long the wait it. It's bee at least 1 1/2 hours. hmmm...

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Posts: 195

What!? Your message just before this last one was posted at 5:11. This last message was posted at 6:42. Have you been on hold that long!? I guess everyone's jumping on the phone as they get off of work. I called during business hours (somewhere around 2:00), and was on hold maybe 10 minutes. Maybe you should give that a shot. I don't know how you stand it. Good luck!

[This message has been edited by ChrisB (edited 10-18-1999).]

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Hoboken, NJ, 07030
Posts: 105

For me the music keeps cutting in and out...

Registered: Oct 1999
Location:
Posts: 10

Ever notice the difference when you call and get the male voice saying they're "experiencing a high volume of calls, please stay on the line" etc. versus the female voice that reassures you that "your call has been placed on priority order, and you will be assisted by the next available representative."

The wait time for either prompt is about the same -- forever. Though the weird thing was that I got the male voice first, hung up, called back in a few minutes, and then got the female message. The end result was the same though: they don't have any info on the online orders, and don't expect to have any soon.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Posts: 195

Yeah - I noticed that. And the music playing behind the male voice is the worst. It's just unbelieveably lame. At least the music behind the female voice is easy listening versions of popular songs. At least I recognize it. The other stuff is just bad elevator music. Ugh. Maybe they're trying to discourage people from calling unless the absolutely must.

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Posts: 37

All I have to say is, "Thank gosh, for speaker phone!"
Been 28 minutes so far and still counting...

-Joshua

Registered: Sep 1999
Location: Seattle, WA, USA
Posts: 37

What the hell?!? It started ringing and I got all excited thinking I would be able to talk to someone live... Ummm I think it just sent me to the next call waiting network, cause I get a girl's voice now...
Just keeping you guys updated on my progress...

-Joshua

Registered: Sep 1999
Location:
Posts: 61

methinks this should be in the OFF TOPIC discussion. That it unless someone would like to start the ON HOLD Discussion group.

jonpod
regular poster to PalmOsCompatibles

P.S. For real fun the on hold music should be played through a using only the Visor speaker. That should spice things up.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Posts: 195

Yeah, but then you wouldn't be able to hear it!

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Posts: 195

You know, I thought of that myself as I was making that post. I thought "Hey, these song titles are all pretty danged old songs. People are going to think that I'm an old fart." And look what happened. Actually, I'm 28, and only just. But those were the only song titles I could think of on the spur of the moment that were fitting.

But yes, I have no life. I DID until this Visor thing came along. Now all I do is sit here and read what people are saying on the Genral Discussion group. But that's what happens. It even happened to you, the infamous Karahari. You took the time to think of a cunning way to decieve us all into thinking the Visor was, after all, a piece of crap. Maybe this is just some elaborate ploy by Handspring (if that's really who they are) to keep us geeks from being productive in any way.

Actually, the on hold music was a bigger deal to me than it would be to most. I was a music major in college, and music is the thing I enjoy doing most. When I hear usic, my mind can't leave it in the background. I can't help but hone in on it.

[This message has been edited by ChrisB (edited 10-19-1999).]

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Atlanta, GA USA
Posts: 33

the real question is... is it just my phone line or is everyone hearing a rice crispies imitation on the line?

I'm hoping my 9/17 (or was it 9/18) order is out the door!

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
Posts: 46

Hey Tex (Chris), How 'bout some Austin city limits stuff? Maybe Willie & Way-line & the boys.

Purple Rain...no wait, they don't do that one yet...Ahhh, Back in Black!

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Austin, Texas, USA
Posts: 195

Sure thang partner. I'll just talk to my good buddy Willie (Mr. Nelson to you), and see what we can did fur ya.

Registered: Oct 1999
Location: Santa Barbara, CA
Posts: 16

After 3 hours I had to hang up. Now that music is going through my head...