Piped-In Music From Radio Station Also Brings Ad From Competition : LIGHTER SIDE OF BUSINESS
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Callers to businesses that are either understaffed or awfully busy often get stuck on hold by the switchboard. It can be irritating, and it can pose problems for the business.
A recent caller to the Costa Mesa office of Malibu Savings & Loan Assn., for example, was stuck on hold with a phone system that included music piped in from an area radio station.
The idea obviously is to soothe or at least entertain customers while they wait. But by using a commercial radio station, Malibu S&L; also provided its customers with paid advertising.
On this particular day, the caller was startled to hear an advertisement for a competing S&L.; The ad touted the competitor’s low loan rates and urged listeners to call or stop by as soon as possible for the fastest service and lowest rates around.
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