‘Just because you’re on hold doesn’t mean we can’t hear you’: Employees share insightful industry hacks that customers aren't supposed to know

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Bar Mor Hazut • Senior Editor
Jun 28, 2024 12:00 PM EDT

When you start working in a new industry that you never worked in before, you inevitably begin learning how those industries actually work, and how little you knew about it as a customer. It is surprising how much information companies try to keep from their customers even though that information can often be extremely beneficial for them and sometimes even life-changing.

That is why, once one starts working in a new industry and learns some tricks and hacks, they should share that information with whoever they can. Much like what these trusty employees did in this AskReddit thread. After they were asked to share industry hacks that customers aren't really supposed to find out, people did not disappoint with the helpful tips they provided. From hotel reservations and car rentals to customer support, these tips are sure to help you navigate the customer life a lot better.

Keep scrolling to read the best hack we could find. After that, click here for a story of an employee who dragged her company through the mud because of a pay cut.

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  • 01
    What's a hack in your industry that customers aren't supposed to find out?
    via u/Ferro_Roux
  • 02
    Baby_giraffes 17 hr. ago Hospital bills are negotiable, to a degree. Always ask for an itemized bill and put some effort into analyzing it.
    via u/Baby_giraffes
  • 03
    . Spanksy_Banksy · 13 hr. ago Just because you're on hold doesn't mean we can't hear you.
    via u/Spanksy_Banksy
  • 04
    halfwhiteNnerdy · 7 hr. ago Another fun one: if you're using a chat feature, we can see what you type even before you hit enter. I've seen some wild things typed then deleted.
    via u/halfwhiteNnerdy
  • 05
    • Inumayobaka 17 hr. ago Our physical presence / approach toward the user will sometimes fix the problem they are facing without any additional effort - IT Support 8.7k Reply Share Sunsparc⚫ 17 hr. ago I always tell users that I scared the computer into working by showing up.
    via u/Inumayobaka, u/Sunsparc
  • 06
    • Will Heredia 18 hr. ago Any Marriott booking made partially with points, with a 3-day cancellation policy, can be cancelled the same day of the booking without any fees.
    via u/Will_Heredia
  • 07
    Iamtherrealowner. 13 hr. ago When I worked in a hotel as a night porter the room cost was totally reliant if you were a or not, I obviously couldn't just give rooms away but I could pretty much knock off 50%.
    via u/Iamtherrealowner
  • 08
    A Ketchum42069. 13 hr. ago I worked at a restaurant and one time the chef burned the apple sauce that was supposed to be served with the pork chop, he put it on the menu as "smoked applesauce" and people loved it
    via u/
  • 09
    reddititaly. 13 hr. ago Orchestral violinist. Sometimes we don't play all the notes. 4.2k Reply Share Rimbosity 5 hr. ago Cellist here. We know you don't.
    via u/reddititaly, u/reddititaly
  • 10
    CromeDaBeast. 17 hr. ago This was 6-7 years ago so may not be relevant but when I worked at Enterprise Rent-A-Car, the higher ups were so tunnel visioned on positive customer reviews that if there was any problem at all we would write off anything from gas
    via u/CromeDaBeast
  • 11
    to whole days of rentals. We had a few repeat customers that would catch on and habitually complain about dumb to get parts of the bill discounted. Only a rating of "Completely Satisfied" counted and it was tied to bonus and promotion so a huge incentive to make people happy.
    via u/CromeDaBeast
  • 12
    One day a very tired woman came in with her baby and I couldn't get the payment to go through at all so I did give it to her for nothing just had to make sure she was out before 9 am and I cleaned it myself.
    via u/Iamtherrealowner
  • 13
    Comprehensive-Fun47 · 12 hr. ago That's very kind of you! It must depend heavily on the hotel. I once walked into a hotel late and asked how much rooms were. It was more than I wanted to pay. I went outside and looked at Priceline, booked it online for much cheaper, then walked right back inside with a reservation.
    via u/Comprehensive-Fun47
  • 14
    AnRealDinosaur · 15 hr. ago • My dad taught me to always bring a potential new car to your own mechanic for a check-up before making a purchase. If they don't want to let you do that, then you walk. I've done this 3 times now and not once has a dealership ever had an issue with it. One even let me keep the car overnight since I couldn't get an appointment until the next day.
    via u/AnRealDinosaur
  • 15
    • SuperstitiousPigeon5 · 18 hr. ago . edited 14 hr. ago Most industries have retention teams because it costs 10x more to get a new customer than it costs to keep one you have. So if you call up and complain/threaten to cancel every other time they raise your rates they'll probably give you the introductory rate. Just be aware you might have to switch.
    via u/SuperstitiousPigeon5
  • 16
    4dham · 17 hr. ago consulting: we don't know either.
    via u/4dham
  • 17
    . ColSurge 17 hr. ago · edited 17 hr. ago Not sure if your homeowner's insurance will cover something? Apply this one simple rule: Was the damage caused by a sudden and one-time occurrence? If the answer is yes, 99% of the time you're covered. If the answer is no, 99% of the time you're not covered. (This advice applies to the US)
    via u/ColSurge
  • 18
    justpracticing 17 hr. ago If you're nice to my receptionist I will find a way to squeeze you onto my schedule. If you're a B then you can have whatever the next available appointment is. If you make the office staff cry you get a certified letter firing you from the practice
    via u/justpracticing
  • 19
    • StagTheNag · 17 hr. ago if you know you're shipping something within a few hours drive of you, always pay for the cheaper shipping option. The "premium" shipping option is just a markup if you know you're sending something close by. It will arrive the same day regardless
    via u/StagTheNag
  • 20
    Big-Routine222 . 16 hr. ago I work in IT and can confidently say that providing bribery in terms of food or snack will 100% get your issue taken care of faster and will help you jump the line in the ticket queue.
    via u/Big-Routine222
  • 21
    Mithmorthmin · 15 hr. ago Home Depot brand mulch (Vigoro) is the same EXACT mulch as the Lowes brand (Premium). The only difference is the quality of the bag. The material comes from the same pile. It's the same dye. There is zero difference. Buy the cheaper option.
    via u/Mithmorthmin
  • 22
    Also, on the topic... NEVER buy mulch or topsoil sold by weight. Always always always buy by volume (1 cuft., 1.5 cuft, etc.) Humidity, rain, moisture in general changes things.. A week or two later, when the moisture leaves, that 40 pound bag that got placed on the pallet is now 32 lbs.
    via u/Mithmorthmin
  • 23
    Carguy_1992. 16 hr. ago When a car salesman offers you a "premium car care" package, don't buy it. It's a scam. Say you're buying a new car and I offer you the premium car care package. It'll only cost you X- amount of money per month, but every time you come to the dealership, you get:
    via u/Carguy_1992
  • 24
    *Premium car wash (we hose it down, not a proper car wash) *Interior detailing and rejuvenation (we use compressed air to make the dust go away, sometimes a man uses a wet paper towel) *Functions check and clock synchronization (Check if all the lights work, heater and A/C work and set up the clock if it's wrong) *Summer and winter inspection
    via u/Carguy_1992
  • 25
    and free wiper fluid refill, only done once per season. (Check tire thread, visually check tire pressure, look at temperature gauge to make sure car isn't over heating and add water in the summer, tiny amount of wiper fluid in winter, visually inspect brake disks to see they are not scratched by worn out brake pads) *Assistance when you are on the move (You call us and then we can call a tow truck for you, at your
    via u/Carguy_1992
  • 26
    expense, only possible during business hours) Basically, we charge for simple things you can do yourself. Also if a car dealership sells you a used car and they told you it has been fully serviced... take it to your local mechanic and have it serviced properly.
    via u/Carguy_1992

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customer support customer service tips workplace-stories jobs hacks employee work customers life hacks askreddit workplace reddit thread Reddit service industry
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