Business idea

Something I've been meaning to do for the past couple of weeks is call my bank and enquire about some paperwork that's not been sent. It's not a big deal, so I keep forgetting it. If I do remember, it's usually about 2am; even 24-hour call centres tend not to be very good with this type of query in the middle of the night.

So I propose a Service Buffer: you call the super-trusted phone number any time and explain your issue to a Service Buffer agent (Service Buddy?), then s/he passes the issue on to the right organisation during business hours.

It would be like a very cutdown executive P.A. service. A Service Buddy would merely relay your issue and instructions, but wouldn't think independently as such. Admittedly, the people acting as Service Buddies would have to communicate very effectively, so hiring, training and motivating them may require the same effort and cost as fully-fledged P.A.'s.

Other challenges:

• Arranging for Service Buffer agents to be given access to your accounts. (Difficulty: 7/10)
  
• Ensuring that the real customer (me) explains enough about the issue to the proxy customer (the Service Buddy) for him to handle it without loops. (Difficulty: 6/10 - not that hard because the Service Buffer would get really good at determining the actual customer service processes at Bank X, and working them to get the desired result. The price one pays for using the Service Buffer is essentially a subsidy to Bank X for its inadequate customer treatment, either in terms of limited opening hours or complex service protocols.)

OK, this is the kind of "Bring AmEx concierge service to the masses" idea that never flies, but in my defence, I thought of it before 9am :-)

Update: Dream the possible dream is relevant advice at this point.