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WhitePhoenix
Member
Joined: 3 Jan 2006
Posts: 227
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# Posted: 17 May 2006 20:14
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Because of the nature of my business, I must, at times, give my clients access to my telephone number. I use a P.O. box for my business and try to complete all my business via the Internet, but...
Anyway, I recently acquired a client that, due to his needs, felt that some articles I was hired to write for him would be more suitable if he could contact me by phone so that he could explain, in depth, what he was looking for.
Because the articles were technical in nature and not what I usually write, I hesitantly agreed and gave him my phone number, and the hours that I would be available.
Well, it got a little out of hand. He started calling at all hours, and while I did not pick up and allowed my answering machine to take the call, his calls grew disturbing. I asked him, via email, to please limit his calls to normal business hours and he got upset. To make a long story short, I dropped him from my client list, but he is still calling. I'll have to get my number changed.
While I may lose some clients, I have decided that I would rather lose a little bit of money rather than be subjected to unwanted phone calls at all hours of the night.
Has anyone else had this problem? And what did you do about it? Did you lose much business?
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A8ch
Preferred Member
Joined: 24 Jun 2005
Posts: 274
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# Posted: 18 May 2006 01:54
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Hi Denise,
It's unfortunate that you find yourself in the uncomfortable position of having to choose between maintaining your peace of mind or losing money. Still I agree with your decision to risk a few dollars in order to keep your sanity.
To avoid stubborn and thoughtless customers in future you could:
1. Insist on e-mail and postal mail as your only means of contact.
2. Get a dedicated phone line for business and simply ignore after hours calls.
While the second option may or may not be cost effective and wouldn't solve the problem, at least your personal phone number wouldn't be compromised.
When you come right down to it though, anything that can be explained on the phone can also be written or e-mailed. It just takes a bit more effort. So, insisting on e-mail and postal mail communication only, could possibly work without hurting your business.
I hope you manage to resolve this matter without having to change your number. That can be such an inconvenience. Good luck!
Hermas
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mcbsconsulting
Preferred Member
Joined: 15 Oct 2005
Posts: 136
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# Posted: 18 May 2006 20:01
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Hey Denise,
I personally never give out my home number except to friends and family. I have a cell phone for business purposes, it does have caller ID and Voicemail included in the service.
After business hours, I shut it off, put in on the charger and in the morning it will let me know if any calls came in.
Hope you work this out without having to change your home number. That would be a real pain.
Joe
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Vishal P. Rao
Administrator
Joined: 23 Jun 2005
Posts: 854
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# Posted: 19 May 2006 00:19
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Having a cell phone for business purposes is the best option I can think of. Not only your privacy is guarded but you can also shut it down after business hours, routing all the calls to your voice mail box.
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WhitePhoenix
Member
Joined: 3 Jan 2006
Posts: 227
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# Posted: 19 May 2006 11:39
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Thanks for your advice, all... I think I'll do that, with the cell phone... but what's a dedicated line? I can write the expense off on my taxes and you're right, I can shut it off. Don't know why I didn't think of that myself... duh...
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Vishal P. Rao
Administrator
Joined: 23 Jun 2005
Posts: 854
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# Posted: 19 May 2006 23:32
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Quoting: WhitePhoenix but what's a dedicated line?
I think what Hermas meant was to dedicate a phone line solely for your business purpose.
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A8ch
Preferred Member
Joined: 24 Jun 2005
Posts: 274
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# Posted: 20 May 2006 08:58 · Edited by: A8ch
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Quoting: Vishal P. Rao I think what Hermas meant was to dedicate a phone line solely for your business purpose.
That's it exactly!
Hermas
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dmains
Member
Joined: 26 May 2006
Posts: 4
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# Posted: 26 May 2006 17:15
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I have a distincitve ring on one of my lines. So I have two numbers one for business one for personal and the business rings differently than the personal so I know - I also have caller ID. Cel phones are ideal though.
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getagrip
Preferred Member
Joined: 20 Feb 2006
Posts: 1381
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# Posted: 26 May 2006 22:43
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Just a thought...if you do plan to do business over the phone, you could always try to get a seperate "business only" prepaid cell phone or just a regular cell phone - and only give that number to your business clients...that way, you can always change the number if some psycho starts calling, although I suppose if you had lots and lots of clients, changing your number all of the time wouldn't be a viable option.
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macfab
Member
Joined: 27 May 2006
Posts: 2
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# Posted: 27 May 2006 08:39
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Denise -
Sorry to hear about your situation - I personally only buy information on the internet and my clients/vendors are Google Adsense, Yahoo Publisher Network, Amazon, etc..
I have never even spoken to any of my writers over the telephone in the last three years of doing online marketing. One lady in Canada that I hired recently - made it perfectly clear in our introductions that she would only communicate through email or instant messaging..
Personally - I am not a people person anymore - after 20 years in the Business to Consumer Retail market - it is like I am allergic to people now.. the customer service part anyway -
So - IMHO -- Just use email and im only and you will save your sanity and have more quality time at work and in private.
Good Luck,
-Jon
P.S. You can always lodge a complaint about harassing phone calls with your phone company and the will turn it over to the legal department. A letter will be dispatched to the offender first - then legal action will ensue eventually. The letter from the Telco. may wake him up and shut him up.
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WhitePhoenix
Member
Joined: 3 Jan 2006
Posts: 227
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# Posted: 4 Jun 2006 21:06
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Thank you all, for your advice. Macfab, thank you also for your comments - I was concerned about losing work with the stipulation that I will no longer accept phone calls, but you have proven that you don't have to hear a voice at the 'other end' to communicate.
And since you're on the 'hiring' end, it's nice to also know that prospective employers will also understand those barriers - so if it works for you, I'm sure it works for others as well.
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