Interactive Intelligence (News - Alert) is counting down to the closing date for submissions to its “Outrageous Interactions” contest. The contest will be open for submissions through Aug. 31, at which point a panel of expert judges will select the finalists to be voted on by the public. The contest is highlighting some of the strange occurrences that are commonplace in the call center industry, and Interactive Intelligence will be rewarding one deserving agent with the grand prize when it announces the winner at the Internet Telephony Conference & EXPO in September.

 

Call center agents and managers have been submitting their wildest stories from interactions with customers, including this submission: “When I was a member service representative for a public pension plan (I am now a quality assurance coordinator for the same plan), I answered the phone “STRS Ohio, this is member support, how may I help you?” The member proceeded to explain her situation. I answered, “May I begin with your SSN please?” Next thing I heard were nine beeps in my ear. After hitting mute (so she did not hear my laugh), I composed myself and responded “can you please say your SSN.” I suppose she thought I was an automated line or that I could decipher phone beeps!”

 

Another submission stated: “We had one of our call center phone agents take a call to order a DVD with ‘advice’ from celebrities on it. We advertised President Bush hugging our story host on the DVD. The potential customer asked our phone representative: “How much extra can I pay if The President can give me a hug?” She was 100 percent serious about this! We of course explained that was not possible, and we were very lucky just to get any time with the President at all!”

 

Interactive Intelligence is accepting submissions and counting down on TMCnet until the closing date for submissions Aug. 31. The winner of the contest will receive airfare and hotel accommodations for a trip for two to Hawaii.

 

If you think you have the winning story with one of your crazy interactions, you can submit them and find more information at http://www.outrageousinteractions.com, or e-mail your entry to: [email protected].