1. Use GetHuman to directly reach a real person
  Phone trees that answer questions with a recorded response are confusing and,   if you know you need help from a person, a waste of time. GetHuman reveals the   shortest path to reach a live customer service representative. The site has   listings for more than 8,000 companies, with solutions provided by customers   who have already battled through the phone system. For example, GetHuman’s   search for “Chase credit card” reveals the shortest path to a human   is to call the 800 number, enter your credit card number and zip code, then   press 0, then 1.

2. Hang up instead of holding with LucyPhone
  Once you finally get through to customer service, there’s still the possibility   of being stuck on hold. But if you use LucyPhone, you won’t have to wait   on the line and listen to elevator music. This free service lets you hang up   and get a call back when customer service is on the line. With LucyPhone’s   website or mobile app, you simply search the company you need to contact, and   LucyPhone connects you to the customer service line. Once you’re on hold,   just hit “**” and hang up. You’ll be free while you wait for   the call back from LucyPhone with a customer service agent on the line.

3. Get customer service to call you with FastCustomer
  If you don’t want to fight through the phone tree at all, FastCustomer   gets a representative to contact you. Just search for the company you’re   looking to contact on their website or using their mobile app, enter your phone   number, and FastCustomer will take care of the rest. Their service even lets   you know what the current wait time is. While you can’t reach every business,   3,000-plus companies are available, including Apple, Verizon, Bank of America,   and AAA.

4. Text for customer service with TalkTo
  Another easy way to avoid waiting on hold? Skip the phone entirely and text   instead. TalkTo is an app that lets you send a text message to any business   to complete a wide range of inquiries. Whether it’s asking if an item is   in stock or making a dinner reservation, TalkTo can help you handle it using   only text messaging. TalkTo works with any business, whether they’re registered   or not. Average response time is five minutes, and as Stacy said in the above   video, our test received a response in four. You can even text after-hours and   expect a response when the business reopens.

5. Beat the phone trees with a few tricks
  You don’t have to use new technology to fight through phone tree options.   There are a few basic ways to reach a real person that work with many companies.   First strategy: play dumb. Keep pounding the “0” button on your phone   until you get someone on the line. This works almost all the time for me. Another   option: wait to hear the entire list of options rather than choosing the first   one that sounds right. Listen for choices that may come near the end and say   “for all other questions” or even “tech support.” Even if   these don’t get you to the right department, getting a person on the phone   often means they can transfer you to the right person. Some claim success by   raising their voice or swearing at the automated system. While this hasn’t   been proven to work all the time, it’s worth a try. Besides, it might feel   good.

6. Take your problem public on social media
  If your efforts on the phone have left you frustrated and without a resolution,   try voicing your complaint on social media. By tweeting the company you’re   trying to reach or posting to their Facebook page, it’s possible you’ll   get a faster response. Many companies now monitor social media and are eager   to avoid potentially viral public relations disasters.