Computers, phones, gadgets, and all other kinds of tech products tend to be popular holiday gift picks. Unfortunately, gifts like these also tend to be the priciest and most likely to fail. That's part of the compromise of wondrous yet complicated technology. These products may work fine out of the box, but sooner or later, they will break. Or in the case of a new-fangled hoverboard, explode.

Customer Support is theoretically there to help, but it too can be a disappointingly unpleasant experience. Websites may bury the 800 number, automated systems at the other end of the phone mishear words, and you spend most of your time either pressing buttons or shouting "Yes" and "No" at the phone. All this keeps you from doing the only thing you really want to do: talk to an actual human being who can solve your problem.

To help you avoid all that frustration, we've compiled a list of customer support phone numbers and tips for navigating to an actual person. From retailers to wireless carriers to cable providers to manufacturers, calling these numbers and following a few easy steps will get a real person on the line before you know it.

While most numbers have automated front ends full of prompts to ignore, and different companies have different instructions for navigating their service hotlines, immediately asking for a representative or simply pressing 0 or # as many times as needed tends to lead to faster human interaction. Also, different companies have different hours of operation, but calling during the week between typical work hours is a safe bet. Just be aware of differences in time zones. If you're interested in contacting a company not on the list, ContactHelp.com and GetHuman.com are also great resources to check out.

For services designed to help consumers when things go wrong, most technical support lines try their hardest to delay customers from speaking to a real person as long as they can. So follow these tips and don't give up. Living, breathing help will be on the phone before you know it.

Cable Providers

Like wireless networks, having your account information for your cable provider ready will get you to a live contact sooner.

AT&T U-verse: Call 1-800-288-2020. Wait through all of the messages, and you'll automatically be connected to live person.

Cablevision (Optimum): Call 1-866-218-3025. Pick your language, press 1 or 2 depending on whether you're a subscriber or not, and wait to be connected.

Charter Communications: Call 1-866-472-2200 and keep pressing 0.

Comcast: Call 1-800-266-2278 and keep pressing #.

Cox Communications: Call 1-888-566-7751 and wait for an agent to pick up.

DirecTV: Call 1-888-777-2454. Say the word "Yes" and then keep saying "Operator."

Dish Network: Call 1-800-333-3474. Press 1 and then keep pressing 0.

Time Warner Cable: Call 1-800-892-2253 and keep pressing 0.

Verizon FiOS: Call 1-888-553-1555 and keep pressing 0.

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