The Service Industry

[grisby]

Originally Posted by Poorboy

I have many people who leave a message here and I think the promptness of the return call would play a big part ... ...

I shortened your reply just a bit. YES the promptness plays a big part!!!!! The fact that the return call is made, whether you can help or not plays a big role at least in my book. It shows that you at least practice customer service and even if that person can't help, you at least have an impression made and that counts for a small business!!!

[black bart]

Originally Posted by Poorboy

I have many people who leave a message here and I think the promptness of the return call would play a big part ... otherwise you might need to have your calls forwarded to someone or hire someone to answer your phones ...

I don't mind the leave a message so much but when I call long distance and they put me on hold and they play elevator music in my ear for 10 minutes it really pisses me off.

[Poorboy]

Originally Posted by black bart

I don't mind the leave a message so much but when I call long distance and they put me on hold and they play elevator music in my ear for 10 minutes it really pisses me off.

yes, i know what you are saying Bart, but I guess most people "assume" that everyone has unlimited long distance now and a local or long distance charge is the same whether you are talking or on hold ... it's technology and they are going to use it whether or not we agree

[Blackfire]

It's understandable that sales calls will interrupt you, and that's just another hat we have to wear when in the sales business.

My greatest concern is the interruption by personal phone calls that have nothing to do with sales. See my examples.

There is one employer at the building that has a warning posted.

"Cell phone use for personal or non-emergency communication during business hours is prohibited"

Your employment may be terminated after three official warnings.

The Management

[Blackfire]

Originally Posted by Poorboy
I have many people who leave a message here and I think the promptness of the return call would play a big part ... otherwise you might need to have your calls forwarded to someone or hire someone to answer your phones ...

I know many self-employed painters, electricians, and plumbers that can't make any money because they take all their calls while on a service call, which then takes them much longer to complete. Imagine trying to install a new toilet with a phone to your ear. With an answering service, they can make their calls while on their way to the next job.

Of course all those services cost money, but I believe it's in a businessman's best interest.

[black bart]

Talking about problems with doing business last summer I had back surgery in June and just a few weeks later they opened a new Meijers store in Marion so the wife and I went to it.

I parked in a handicapped spot and put my card on the mirror but since I had my dog in the back of the suv I put the windows down half way so he would not get too hot.
When we came out I had a ticket on my windshield and my card had blown off the mirror and was laying on the floor.

I drove down to the police station to pay the fine and I told them I did not feel like I had done anything to deserve this ticket.
They told me I would need to talk to the sargent that was over traffic and he was not their to call the next day.

I went home and called the next day and was told he was not their but when I explained to the woman she said she would take care of it just forget about it.

This week I got a letter saying that I now owed a extra 30 dollars and if not paid they would take appropriate action.

I called and this time I got the woman that wrote the ticket and I explained to her what happened she said I don't care about your dog I don't care if the wind blow-ed it of the mirror I wrote the ticket and I'm not going to drop it you will pay the ticket.

I live between 2 large cities it is almost the same distance to either town so I paid the fine and transfer my wife and i prescriptions from Marion to Wabash that is $1000.00 per month I buy with credit card and have receipts showing average of $600.00 per month that i was spending in Marion that will now go to wabash.

That may not be fair to the merchants but I will be able to shop without dealing with the Marion police.

Some times people do not think that their are consequences for their actions but that is not the case
Now I can hardly wait till they call and ask for a donation for the police department.

[C. Charles Hahn]

Originally Posted by Poorboy

but you can't run a service business by yourself and expect to get a lot accomplished

I don't agree. Where phone calls are concerned, of course I can't answer if I am using a buffer, vacuum, or any kind of noisy equipment, but the rest of the time that's what a bluetooth headset is for. You can be working with both of your hands and talking on the phone at the same time.

[Poorboy]

Originally Posted by Shiny Lil Detlr

I don't agree. Where phone calls are concerned, of course I can't answer if I am using a buffer, vacuum, or any kind of noisy equipment, but the rest of the time that's what a bluetooth headset is for. You can be working with both of your hands and talking on the phone at the same time.

not a bad idea as long as you don't have to stop and look something up or write something down ...

[Tex Star Detail]

I have a bluetooth that I wear when detailing. As stated, I can answer a call and still work with both hands and not feel like it's slowing me down. During the conversation, if the client wants to book an appointment, I walk to my van and write their info down in my book. Maybe takes 1-2 minutes tops to get their info. Then back to work. When I am running my generator or pressure washer, I don't answer the phone. When I am finished with the noise, I check my phone for missed calls. If I have one, I call them back via the bluetooth, and back to using 2 hands.

I never answer a call when speaking with a client, it's just rude.
There is a chicken joint down the road from my place, which employs mostly high school kids. They have a huge sign posted for the employees to see (and visible to customers) that if you are caught using your cell phone while on the clock, you are fired, no if's, and's, ir but's.

[mrclean81]

When I had a 3 man crew going they were told when I hired them that texting and personal calls wasn't allowed. I was ignored and they were fired. The next crew did the same thing. I've been cussed, called a Nazi boss, and even swung at all over them not being able to stop working to talk to their girlfriends. Needless to say I downsized my business just to keep from dealing with children. I hate not being able to get more vehicals done in a day, but not having to babysit or hear Jay Z everytime a phone rings is worth the money I've lost.

[C. Charles Hahn]

Originally Posted by mrclean81

or hear Jay Z everytime a phone rings

As far as I'm concerned, when you're in a service business, the ONLY excuse for taking a personal call while on a job is if there's an extreme emergency -- somebody better be in labor, dying, or already dead. Or, as I said above, if you can work with a bluetooth headset and not lose productivity as a result, more power to you. Just keep it clean when the customer is around.