It doesn't work on all systems, but you can try spamming the zero button. My bank has the most annoying robot assistant I've ever had to deal with, but I've learned if I hit the zero button everytime it asks me something after about 4-5 times it gives up and just transfers me to a person... I have had this work for other companies, but it's hit or miss.
Seems like people have been doing this enough that companies have started to disable the functionality. Comcast will just hang up on you nowadays if you spam zero.
My trick lately to speed things up with Comcast is just go straight to cancellations. I always immediately get a human on the phone. I them tell them what I'm actually calling about, and they will then transfer me to the correct department.
Sure thing! But to get you to the right representative, I need to know a little more about your issue. In a few words, could you say what you're calling about?
Oh my god... the other day a Kroger pharmacist left a voicemail about what turned out to be a scam which got averted, but to get back in touch with her, I had to keep yelling at the Kroger robot that I wanted to speak to a pharmacist until it finally let me. And then it suddenly put me directly in touch with her no problem.
It's so stupid too. All they offer to help with can be easily looked up online. I never waste my time calling some dreaded hotline unless it's a special case.