Replies

1. 
   Thomas_Cummings | Jan 05, 2002 05:16pm | #1

   *
   b DURING THE WEEK

   "Thank you for calling Thomas Construction, I am out of the office until 5 p.m. today. Current clients, subcontractors and suppliers are asked to use my cellular number which is active unless I am in a meeting. Others may leave a message after the tone. Your call is important to me and will be returned on the date and at the time that you specify in your message. I am generally available Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Other times by appointment. I look forward to serving you."

   b WEEKEND

   "Thank you for caling Thomas Construction, I am out of the office until 5 p.m., Monday. Current or past clients with an emergency are asked to use my cellular number. Others may leave a message after the tone. Your call is important to me and will be returned on the date and at the time you specify in your message. I am generally availaable Monday through Friday from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Other times by appointment. I look forward to serving you."

   b VACATION

   "Thank you for calling Thomas Construction, I am on vacation and will not be available until xx/xx/xx at 5 p.m. You may leave a message after the tone. Your call is important to me and will be returned on the date and at the time you specify in your message. I look forward to serving you."

1. 
   Sean_Parker | Jan 07, 2002 05:04am | #2

   *What happens if you can't call the person back at the time and date specified?

1. 
   Thomas_Cummings | Jan 07, 2002 05:09am | #3

   *SeanThat is exactly what my wife asked. I am assuming that they would pick a time within the stated available hours. Momma also reminded me that I would have to have my "Initial Contact" form with me in the truck if calling from there.Thomas

1. 
   Sean_Parker | Jan 07, 2002 08:04am | #4

   *It just seems weird to me that you are committing to something that you don't even know if you can do. What if you are busy with another client, or dealing with a problem on the job etc... You might find checking your messages that half your day is prescheduled to make phone calls :)I don't think there is an easy answer unless you have someone dedicated to answering the phones. What ever happens always call back as soon as you can. Even if you play phone tag with someone who is a potential new customer at least you are making the effort and it will show. I am really amazed at the amount of contractors that just don't return phone calls. I was looking for a drywall contractor a couple months ago and I called 8-9 contractors. Only 2 called back, and out of the two one was a no show never to hear from again and the other showed up on time.

1. 
   Stephen_Hazlett | Jan 07, 2002 03:54pm | #5

   *"Thanks for calling Hazlett Roofing & Renovation Ltd. We can't answer the phone right now but your call IS important to us. Please leave your name ,phone number,a brief message and also the time it would be convenient for you to receive a return phone call. Thanks"that message runs 50 weeks a year or so. when I am on vacation It runs" Thanks for calling Hazlett Roofing & Renovation Ltd. We will be out of the office from July blah,blah blah untill august blah,blah,blah.Please leave your name,phone number and a brief message and we will return your call as soon as we return. Thanks."Often during regular working hours I will call forward my office phone to my cell phone so that I can answer office calls directly on whatever rootop I am working on.I prefer to do it this way so that when I get home at the end of the day I know I don't have to reurn any phone calls.If the day is gonna very busy,dangerous,stressfull or if I am working in advance of threatening weather----I won't have time to deal with the phone.on days like that I do not call forward the office phone.Btw I do not give out my cell phone number.

2. 
   Thomas_Cummings | Jan 07, 2002 06:34pm | #6

   *Stephen"Btw I do not give out my cell phone number." Exactly. I reserve that number and line for current and past clients, subs and suplliers. I think the cell phone is best suited to conducting business rather than wading through initial inquiries.Thomas

3. 
   S._Lykos | Jan 08, 2002 04:37am | #7

   *This time around I decided to use my cellular phone as my business number. If I"m busy when they call they get: "This is Sonny Lykos and you've received my voice mail because either I'm doing something I can't stop right now or I'm with a client. Please leave a message and I'll call you back shortly. Thank You." About 1/4 of the calls go to my voice mail.This eliminates calls at home, a list waiting for me after work, and calls to have to return after supper. It eliminates the client having to leave a message at home and not getting a return call until much later. If I'm not really busy, they get me now. If not, I call them within a half hour.Best thing I ever did. Phone goes on when I get up, around 7, and off around 10.

4. 
   Lisa_Long | Jan 10, 2002 09:47pm | #8

   *Thomas -As a homeowner I don't mind playing a little phone tag, as long as the contractor keeps playing. One problem is when a contractor keeps calling me back at the same time of day, a time at which I am never home. After 3 times I give up, deciding that if they can't figure that one out I probably don't want to pursue working with them! I like your "be returned on the date and at the time you specify in your message" idea, but maybe you could use it when you're making call two or three in a game of phone tag instead of putting it on your answering machine?