Latest news with #receptionist
Motor 1
a day ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Dealership Worker Is Oh-So-Close To Closing Car Sale. Then a Receptionist Ruins It In 1 Minute
After a potential deal was purportedly ruined by a coworker, a car salesman shared what he describes as 'the number one golden rule' for all dealership employees: 'Zip it and go on about your business' when it comes to other salespeople's customers. Salesman Costa (@costacreatescardeals) is clearly peeved in his TikTok. He starts the video by saying, 'When someone is working a deal with a customer, do not ever, and I mean ever, go talk to that customer.' Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Costa says that a receptionist essentially snatched a sale from the dealership at the last minute. 'We had a receptionist today go up to a customer—after they signed at the desk, ready to go into finance—telling the customer that she was able to lower her payment when trading out of her vehicle with $12,000 of negative equity,' he alleges. Anyone who's rolled a car loan with negative equity into another car loan knows that the outcome of that is usually, but not always, a higher monthly payment. This was apparently the case with Costa's customer. 'Her payment went up,' he says. 'Not down. And then the customer decided not to do the deal and left while waiting for finance.' He notes that the new payment after trading in a car with negative equity will be determined by multiple factors. 'Every case is different,' he says. 'And it also depends on credit. It depends on many factors.' His bottom line is that if it isn't your sale, you need to butt out. 'Don't ever go and talk to another customer while another salesperson is working a deal with that customer,' Costa says. His advice has people coming for him specifically and car salespersons generally. America's Most Loathed Profession? It's no secret that car salespeople—perhaps especially used car salesmen —are widely reviled. A list of the most hated professions describes used car salesmen as ' fast-talking liars who do it all with smiles on their faces.' While this is just a stereotype and, as with any profession, there are good and bad actors throughout, Costa's TikTok put the taste of scummy car salesmen in many viewers' mouths. Trending Now 'I'm Not [an] Expert:' Man Gets in a Honda Civic. Then It Starts Making This Mystery Noise When He Puts It in Reverse Man Fills Up His Truck. Then He Pulls Out a Trick for When the Handle Clicks and Stops Pumping "Seems like the receptionist was honest with the customer," wrote one user. "Who in their right mind is going to roll $12k negative equity into another loan at probably 10-12%. She did them a favor." "Man, car sales people really do get on here and tell the world how shady they are," wrote a second user. "Wow, an ethical employee working at a dealership! Good for her! She is probably too good to work there," a third user said. Why Would a Newer Model Have Negative Equity? In response to the commenter who claimed that the receptionist was simply being honest with his customer, Costa explained why his colleague may have led the potential buyer astray. It's actually inflation. As he explains in a follow-up TikTok , the increased cost of living due to inflation is making it harder for people to make ends meet on one income. This, he alleges in a text overlay on the post, is 'indirectly' wrecking the car market. Many people, he explains, are using their vehicles for a second source of income, often in the gig economy. While gigging for a rideshare or delivery service can be a flexible way to make ends meet, it also typically puts a lot of miles on your car. This often translates into negative equity. 'They're stacking over 200,000 miles on a car that they bought in 2020,' he explains. 'And now we're in 2025, the depreciation is through the roof.' This is why he cautions, 'you should never use a personal vehicle as a commercial vehicle.' He says that the customer the receptionist talked out of the sale was trading in their vehicle for just this reason. Their vehicle, Costa claims, had become utterly unreliable due to high mileage and the wear and tear this causes. 'It was costing them way too much money,' he says. Costa frames the role of people in his line of work as helping people like his lost customer get a reliable vehicle, 'rather than screwing them.' 'What we're doing is actually losing money on some deals just to trade a customer out of the vehicle so we maintain a long-term relationship with them,' he says. If the business maintains that relationship, he says dealerships realize that the customer is likely to keep coming back for maintenance and repairs. So ultimately, taking a loss on a sale can translate into a profit in the long term. 'It's actually a very smart decision to sell them a car,' he says. "And if you can make money, hey, that's what we're in it for. But sometimes you'll actually lose money and sell them a car." Motor1 reached out to Costa via TikTok comment and direct message for comment. We'll be sure to update this if he responds. More From Motor1 Toyota Salesman Finds Thousands of Dollars of 'Missing' Keys. Now He's Exposing Dealerships for Failing to Give Buyers the Spare 'We Get It Fixed': Woman Says Her 2020 Ram's Steering Wheel 'Randomly' Locks Up. The Dealership Says It's Fine 'Lawyer Up': Woman Drops Off Mercedes At Dealership For Oil Change. Then She's Told It's Totaled, Costs $27K To 'Fix 5 Wires' Woman Visits Toyota Dealership. Then a Salesman Refuses to Give Her a Pricing Breakdown When She's Quoted $27,500 Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
Telegraph
10-06-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
‘If I die, it's your fault': Life as a GP receptionist in Britain's broken health system
I could see the white foam at the edge of his mouth. As he ranted, his face was red and his teeth were clenched and he was moving closer to the partition. Genuinely, he looked like a cartoon character, like when they get consumed with rage. As a GP's receptionist, I'm not easily intimidated, but he terrified me. I hit the panic button under the desk. This was a guy who'd phoned the surgery that morning to ask for his fit note to be extended. I didn't have an appointment to give him that day. When I'd said it would need to be tomorrow, the abuse had started. 'You have no right to tell me I'm not getting my note,' he said, calling me horrible, horrible names down the line. Then he said: 'Just you wait, I'm going to come down and see you shortly,' and hung up the phone. I didn't really think anything of it because you get those threats sometimes – I'd say five or six times every single day, I'm called a name or sworn at. F---ing b---- is a favourite, or the C-word. But something in his voice made me and my colleague lock the door to our office, just in case. Then the gentleman appeared at the desk. I think if that door hadn't been locked it could have been a very different scenario. Thankfully the police came quickly, but I was shaking for the rest of the day. 'I've had to develop a thick skin' I work in a relatively small practice in the north of the UK with little over 5,000 patients. Since the pandemic, the demand for appointments has probably doubled, I'd say, and with it the abuse we get on the front desk. I've had to hit the panic button only twice before, but I've had to develop a pretty thick skin to the daily verbal abuse. On reception we are the front line. I don't like the C-word but I was more sensitive when I started. Now, the regular name-calling, it just bounces off. What I don't like are the threats. My colleague got told recently when she couldn't give an appointment: 'F--- off, I might be dead next week and it'll be your fault.' I've had that a few times. I had it on a Friday afternoon when a patient wanted to see the doctor to arrange medication, but it wasn't urgent. They said: 'Well, if I die, it's your fault.' And I thought, why say that to somebody? I've got to go home at the end of the day, I'm a person as well. I wouldn't dream of saying that to anybody. Your stomach kind of does somersaults and it stays with you. It stayed with me all that weekend when I was trying to spend time with the kids. Your tolerance builds up but some days, it can cut deep, and I think to myself, 'I'm only trying to help you.' My husband knows nine times out of 10 just by looking at me when I come in whether it's got to me. He'll say to the kids, 'Just give Mum half an hour to de-stress.' I'll go to the bedroom and shower, put my comfies on, usually it'll take just 40 minutes and I'm all right after that, but I have also sat down with him and cried. I'd say a lot of the increased demand we face is driven by the need for fit notes now, and a lot of the abuse, too. Generally people want them for mental health, or for a bad back, a bad hip, either because they can't work, or need to claim benefits. The number of fit notes our doctors do on a weekly basis is ridiculous. On a Monday, we'll get 25 or 30 calls for them to be reviewed, then it's 20 or 25 every day for the rest of the week, and we're a relatively small surgery. 'Monday morning is like going into battle' The other thing that often angers people is when I ask what their problem is. I don't need all the details, I'm only asking to check whether it's an emergency, or if they need to see the nurse, or the physiotherapist, rather than the doctor. It goes 50-50 – patients tell you far too much, or they really don't like it, and those people can become abusive. The other day, I was told I was a 'f---ing nosy b----'. I didn't argue. It can be well worthwhile asking. I had someone the other week demanding an emergency GP appointment and they had a verruca. They were signposted to the pharmacy but weren't happy. A Monday morning does feel like going into battle, needing to get your armour on. I usually get in for 6.40am to get on top of emails and prepare. Receptionists have a lot of admin too; I'll have 100 doctor letters to read on a Monday alone, usually 400 in a week. There'll be three of us across three phones and I'll say to the others just before 8am, 'I don't want to press the button.' It's like, what are we going to get today? Then it's constant for an hour across the three phones, and on one for the rest of the day. I have every sympathy when people are struggling to make appointments, I really do. I want to give them; I want to treat people like I would my own grandfather. When I phone my own surgery, I face the same issues. We genuinely need more GPs – actually, we need a new building; it doesn't have space for more. On a Monday morning, appointments will be gone in 30 minutes, and waits for routine issues can be two weeks. I know it's normal for people to get particularly agitated when they're in pain or anxious, too. If I have somebody on the phone who is obviously unwell, they will get dealt with that day. I know that if it's someone who doesn't come to us very often and they obviously felt they were ill enough to phone, they need to see a doctor. We do get the frequent fliers, though. The people who phone us every second day, where it's almost like a hobby. And they always seem to get through first, I don't know how they do it. But I get too that people are suffering more health anxiety. That seems to have been worse since Covid. I honestly love my job, which I realise sounds surprising. I've been doing it for the best part of a decade and have a great relationship with so many of our regular patients. I'll go above and beyond for them. I've delivered prescriptions to people who can't get out. You get emotionally attached; I've been to patients' funerals before. Sometimes, when I can see that the carer of an ill patient needs to talk, I'll bring them into the office and allow them to let out how they're feeling so they can go back with their game face on. Reading a doctor's letter and realising a patient has cancer is very, very hard. All the same, I can't produce appointments from nowhere. I get people's frustrations, I do, but my colleagues and I do genuinely want to help. And we're only the people on the front desk. As told to Emily Retter
News.com.au
07-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
AI receptionists begin replacing humans in technological shift
RingCentral Vice President Amir Hameed discusses new innovative AI technologies in the receptionist space. "No more please hold, and it can handle all of the basic queries that you would typically have," Mr Hameed said. "The human element isn't going to be replaced.
The Sun
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
How receptionist jobs are vital to economy and could be springboard to senior roles
THEY are the first people you see at any company and they can shape the perception of the entire firm – so why don't receptionists get more respect? Almost a quarter of a million people work in this role across the country, but there is still a belief it is a junior position you can do without experience. 4 4 While it is possible to train as a receptionist for your first job, it is also a specialist position that requires people skills plus outstanding organisation and timekeeping abilities to be successful. May 14 is National Receptionists' Day, which aims to highlight how vital the job is to the economy and to showcase it as both a career in its own right and as a springboard to more senior jobs. With the move to hybrid working, the traditional receptionist role is evolving fast. And there is a rise in demand for the role to become part of a wider 'guest services experience' as offices become more like luxury hotels to tempt staff back into the building. Modern receptionists have to be multifunctional front-of-house professionals who can handle everything from meet-and-greets to tech support and event co-ordination. Salaries are evolving too, ranging from £18,000 for first jobs to more than £45,000 for senior reception managers at highly prestigious firms. Hanna Barrett began her career on an airline check-in desk before becoming a receptionist in 2006. Now, at 44, she is Director of Operations for front-of-house firm Portico. She says: 'Receptionists are small teams with a big impact. They're often the first point of contact for a business, helping shape reputation, customer satisfaction and client retention.' Hanna, from Chelmsford, Essex, adds: 'I left school with very few qualifications, but attitude is everything in this industry. Inside the glam life of The Apprentice's new receptionist - from modelling snaps to incredible hidden talents 'You need to be open, kind, emotionally intelligent and resilient. 'A good receptionist is someone who genuinely wants to help, who listens well and who can stay calm under pressure. 'You also need to be able to multitask, adapt quickly and show initiative — often while making it all look effortless. 'Once you're in the role, there are so many opportunities to learn, develop and progress, if you're willing to put the effort in.' Starting as a receptionist can also lead to a number of step-up jobs. Transferable skills These include community managers, who promote workplace culture and keep staff connected in hybrid offices, floor hosts, who provide support and a reassuring presence across office floors, and experience hosts, who create tailored welcomes that reflect a brand's identity. But like any role that involves people, it can be challenging. Receptionists are expected to be calm, presentable and professional at all times, even on the most difficult days. But whether you want to stay on reception or move up the career ladder, you will still learn a wide variety of skills — including communication, problem-solving, customer insight and professionalism under pressure — which are transferable to any sector. LEARN MORE ABOUT KEY EMPLOYMENT SECTOR HERE'S how to open the door to success as a receptionist. ENJOY MAKING PEOPLE HAPPY: If you love making someone's day better, you'll thrive in this work. LET YOUR PERSONALITY COME THROUGH: Great receptionists have something special about them. Bring your authentic self to the job. STICK AT IT: Don't expect to jump to the top immediately. Build your experience, and gain credibility. BE CURIOUS: Take the time to learn how everything works – the business, the building, the team. Ask questions and get involved. UNDERSTAND THE INDUSTRY: Know the language, expectations, and service standards. That awareness helps you stand out for the right reasons. SAY YES TO OPPORTUNITIES: Whether it's shadowing a colleague, supporting a new project, or stepping out of your comfort zone, just say yes. HOW TO SUPPORT GRIEVING STAFF 4 IT is Dying Matters Week, which offers an opportunity to consider how we approach bereavement and other personal loss while also trying to hold down a job. While many employers are making efforts to address this sensitive issue, it is not talked about enough in most workplaces. Three in four employees admit a bereavement has, at some point, affected their performance at work. Wellbeing expert Zoe Sinclair, from mental-health consultancy This Can Happen, says: 'Grief is not just about death. It can be a state of mind when one is going through a divorce or any kind of loss.' Here Zoe shares her advice for employers: SHARE BEREAVEMENT POLICY: Ensure all employees are familiar with it, by communicating it at least every six months. LEADERSHIP VISIBILITY: Encourage senior managers to openly discuss grief support and raise awareness. TRAIN MANAGERS AND OTHER STAFF: This can help them build confidence in handling conversations about grief. Consider developing a toolkit to guide discussions at key points, including upon initial notification, during leave and when an employee returns to work. EMPATHETIC LINE MANAGER: Support can include offering verbal condolences, sending a card or flowers, asking how to help, allowing flexibility or granting additional leave. PLAN THOUGHTFULLY FOR A RETURN TO WORK: Address timeline adjustments or role modifications as needed to ease reintegration. ACKNOWLEDGE LONG-TERM EFFECTS: Grief can impact performance over time. Ongoing check-ins can help managers stay attuned to evolving needs. SIGNPOST AVAILABLE RESOURCES: Make employees aware of support and repeat details regularly. FACILITATE PEER SUPPORT: Consider setting up internal drop-in grief circles to provide safe space for shared experiences. HAPPY RETURNS NINE in ten people who have taken a career break say they found it hard to get back into the workforce. To help, the UK's first Career Returners Week will run from May 12 to 16 offering help and support for jobseekers. Events will take place online and in-person in Dublin, Edinburgh, Leeds, London and Newcastle, with advice from top firms including the Bank Of England, Sage, the FDM Group and JPMorganChase. Julianne Miles, co-founder of specialist recruitment platform Career Returners, said: 'The involvement of leading employers sends an important message.' For more information, see APPLY YOURSELF 4 EMPLOYERS are warning candidates that using AI in job applications could be seen as 'misrepresenting' their skills. Half of bosses believe young people are 'overselling themselves' by using tools such as ChatGPT, the Institute of Student Employers found. The problem is worst with college leavers, with 52 per cent of employers claiming AI masked their real skills, but 48 per cent also felt the tech gave a false impression of graduates. More than 1.2million students applied for under 17,000 graduate vacancies last year, a 59 per cent year-on-year increase that is partly attributed to use of AI. Stephen Isherwood, joint CEO of ISE, said: 'It's important that students are genuine about their capabilities.'
