I start with
"I'd like to..." (order a takeaway, book a cab, query a bill) and then wait for the first question that's in their flowchart.

I also lack the ability to predict (and the inclination to keep notes on) whether each particular company prefers to start with my account number, or my name, or my postcode, or my query. The call taker has the flowchart in front of them and knows what information they need and in what order. I don't.
( Batsgirl, Tue 8 Sep 2009, 12:11, 1 reply)

I do this too
it's simple and easy- you tell them what you want and give them control of the conversation so they can ask you what they need to know. Then you can both hang up and go your seperate ways.
(Evilweevil is covered in bees, Tue 8 Sep 2009, 12:18, closed)