Poll: What's your preferred support channel?

Hi everyone,

From time to time we all have to contact a service provider. Whether speaking on the phone to get a direct answer or via email so you have a written record of the conversation most of us have a preferred way to get in contact with a business.

We're very interested in how our customers like to communicate when you need to get in touch so please take a moment to vote in our poll.

What's your preferred way to contact a business?

Martin

Email for me.
Phone calls take too long to negotiate the menus, security systems and chatbots to get to speak to someone.
And if a supplier calls me, it is never at a convenient time.
Email is best, but if it has to be interactive, then live chat.

Phone but only as long as it doesn't have infuriatingly lengthy menu options AND the person on the other end speaks English....not Indian or Pakistani English but English that can be understood. Second choice is email which I usually use to back up and confirm the phone call details.

I like to use email as then I have got a paper trail to fall back on!

Live Chat I find is best as long as it's not a bot. If it's a person that's a good way of getting results and downloading the transcript so you have proof of your conversation.Failing that, email, next best thing

For me first choice is always email. There is a paper trail and I have time to properly set out my issue and what I'm expecting from the company as a resolution. It also means you have a record if problems occur in the future. Live chat is a possibility if I've got plenty of time to sit on my keyboard and other things i can be getting on with. I dread phone calls, the endless options (none of which seem to be what you are looking for) and then finally you get through to someone where it is difficult to explain your problem or understand the "solution", or worse you go round in circles; yes, Virginmedia, I'm looking at you and your stock list of answers to get rid of the caller.

I'm surprised that there was no option for "Online contact form", which is my preferred method when available. It gives me more confidence than sending an email, and is a whole lot more convenient than trying to make a phone call - that latter being especially inconvenient if it has to be done during working hours.

I prefer live chat although with my recent experiences with Lebara chat resulting in more confusion and leading to lengthy conversations, I prefer a telephone conversation if that results in a more quick resolution. For a good service provider and for it to be accessible to a wider audience, including people with disabilities there need to be multiple formats , including live BSL options for customers to communicate with customer support services. thanks

I like live chat as long as it provides a transcript at the end of the session