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How many use this and how important is it to your business?
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Hey RJT, I use one for business and have to admit that it sure does come in handy; but, I've recently heard that they are being linked with brain tumors and certain cancers. Anyone have any more info on this?
*It sure makes business live easier and communications better. But, use voice mail so you don't have to grab the phone and drop the drywall tray or balance yourself on a rafter everytime it rings - and don't give it to everyone - subs and vendors, yes - clients, no.
*The smartest thing I have heard about them is a buddy of mine has a pager he keeps on his belt. That is the number he gives out. The cell phone he keeps under the seat of his truck. He decides when to return calls and doesn't get interupted that way. He has controll of WHEN the conversations take place, but is accessible to all his clients. I think Stephen Hazlett posted a similar technique recently.
*My cell phone stays in the truck turned on. Every now and then, on a trip to the truck for something, I check it. If someone called it says so and I check the voice mail.Rich Beckman
*Hi mad Dog,Saw a TV program a few months ago about a possible link, no proof yet, but some manufacturers of cell phones have incorporated design changes to mitigate any potential adverse relationships. The new designs that have the antenna pointing away from you head at an angle, like the new motorola, move the EM field far enough away from your brain so as to eliminate the possibility. Hope that helps address you concerns.Jim
*Don't use one. I admit that there are times that it might have come in handy. But I sure like the solitude on site and in my van. As a one man operation I don't need to check on my guys. And with being a remodelor, I'm usually not stuck incommuicado on a site. There's always a phone and the customers appear to not care if I use it relating to their job.I do however think all subs should have one and answer it in a timely manner. Pretty selfish of me isn't it.With no cell phone use, arrival at home doesn't mean the end of the day, just time to return the calls on the machine. Most customers do not need to contact me to find out where I am, as I'm usually on their job where I'm supposed to be.And you won't find yourself behind me going faster, then slower, down the highway.Not quite a man of the new millenium.
*..use it all the time .. call myself at the ofice and leave messages..call ahead to customers to let them know i'm on the way and reconfirm...no answer, i reschedule...call suppliers to find out where the truck is (on the next block ....lost)call the owner to confirm on-site decisionsmy next one is gonna have internet so i can watch my back on BreakTime all day (NOT)..and as far as the damage to brain cells... me and Luka already got that covered... he wears aluminum foil hats and i got my baseball cap lined with aluminum foil... not to worry
*I use muine as my business line. Nextel gives me 600 minutes a month for $79.00. Voice mail, call waiting. caller ID & the radioo for other nextel subscribers. Customers can always find me & I can identify alot of calls by the #. A couple of my subs & also several suppliers & s freinds are also using the Nextel direct (radio) wich is free. This saves a TON of money. Most of the time I stay wiythin the 600 minutes. It works for me.
*Amen Calvin.I have the same philosophy as you, but I don't use subs, so I don't ever need to know where they're at, or what they're up to.I had a cell phone for 2 years. Back then, 30 minutes a month was the best rate available (now they are up in the hundreds!) and it cost $30.00 a month for the privelege. I averaged 12 minutes a month on mine, so I was wasting about 18 minutes a month, and found I didn't really need it. I use a customer's phone when necessary, and call back people who leave messages on my machine when I get home. I call my appointments BEFORE I leave the house to make sure they are home, and everything is a go.Just my opinion...James DuHamel
*I don't have one either. Reason: my wife can't find me when I'm fishing.Whenever I go fishing with someone who does have one though, I make sure to call up everyone who's working and give em a report, gotta let em know what's biting while they are hard at it!
*Although I don't use the phone a lot I don't see how any building company could effectively operate without one (or ten). I use a pager, and leave my five year old bag phone in the truck.The good old days are gone. Thank goodness. I used to take calls at 11:00 pm from supers finishing their day. Now, I get faxes from the supers instead. Speaking of cancer, I have also read about the concern caused by the electronic waves given off by the phones. I also have read that possible every electric tool could be a culprit. I suppose I should start handing out handsaws, but I'm too lazy.Watch your nads.blue
*I could'nt conduct business without it. With the long drive time I can make all my calls in an other-wise wasted period of time. Don't have to use the clients phone on the jobs. Always in touch. I run multiple jobs, so being in contact is very important. I also use a pager so I can regulate the use of my incoming calls. I have voice mail as part of the phone service. I use Sprint (PCS) with 1500 min. a month for $75.00, and is the best money I spend for my business a month. As for driving and talking at the same time, I use a headset with a small microphone that fits over my ear. Keeps both hands where they belong. Bill Swales
*Mad dog,I solved that problem by fishing in rivers with valleys. I wade & cast wich puts me down where I normally can't get a signal.
*I'm out of business without mine. I use the headset also. Keeps me free to drive with both hands. I am scared that one day I'm gonna have a wreck dialing a number. Even with speed dial I sometimes get distracted.I bought three more cell phones that I put on jobs where there is no phone for the guys to call me if they need something. It really helps them stay in touch with me and me with them. Cell phones are a great tool. I just wished they would work better. It seems if there is a cloud in Ft. Worth, my signal breaks off in Dallas. Ed. Williams
*Mate..don't you know anything???? when that happens you just drive to Ft.Worth and make the call.
*Why didn't I think of that? With my luck, by the time I got to Ft. Worth, there will be a cloud over Dallas.......oh well.Ed. Williams
*We use the Nextel system and I find the two-way radio feature extremely valuable. We have 6 phones spread out over 4 to 6 jobs and the flat rate for the two-way radio is VERY useful. I use the cell phone portion a lot for talking outside our crew. The crew also uses the cell portion to inform the superintendent of things, even if he is just around the block it's worth it to keep your bags on and talk. My crew is allowed to use there phones for SOME personal calls. Spouses and family appreciate being able to stay in touch. When things get busy I can always let calls go to voice mail and get back when I can. I can't imaging doing business without some type of phone. The cell phone has become my main business line. I can actually tie up loose ends BEFORE going home and schedule the crew by early evening so everybody can shut the phones off and have a restful evening. If we are rested, we can work hard the next day.
*I don't think we could get along without them. Checking on deliveries, and especially when you are at the supply house and someone from your crew calls to say we need something else. Saves alot of time running back and forth. Calling clients to let them know your are coming or running late for the appointment. They appreciate the call and if they are not home you don't waste a trip. I just wish that the signals were strong all the time. I try to pull over when driving because I always need to write something down.
*I can be in two places at the same time- increaSING MY PROFITSSave running around -gasoline costrsWhen a sub doesn't show up as promised he can't say " coul;dn't get you on the phoneCustomers are happierLumberyard can contact me if questons about my orderVoice mail takes messages when I'm on the ladder or in the middle of a glue upDon't need to race home to return business calls and answer messages before five PMby the way I hate phones but a tool is a tool- the right ones make us money
*I've never heard of Nextel, is that a phone mfg like Nokia?
*RJT - Nextel is a provider. They use Motorola phones. There main selling point is that they have a special two-way connection feature that lets you talk to any other Nextel subscriber for free. It works like a walkie-talkie. In my area, (Phila), most contractors seem to have them, and a lot of lumberyards and other suppliers have them so you can call them for free. I use mine mostly for making cell phone calls, and they have very good coverage and good phones and reception in my area. I pay about $70/month for 600 free minutes and unlimited free two-way.
*Nick: thanks.
*had mine for a few monthes......not as important as I thought I was!!! Jeff
*I was all ready to get a cell as my main business line (after some discussion of that here); did some shopping, was just trying to settle on a provider. Then a friend loaned me hers for a few days around the time the baby was born; I'm in a dead spot, or whatever you call it. I have to drive miles in any direction before I get a signal. Screwed that idea.
*A dead spot with one provider isn't necessarily a dead spot with a different provider. If you really wanted to do that, don't give it up without checking all the providers (but be sure you're not in a dead spot before you sign).Rich Beckman
*adrian.. i live in the worst cell location in rhode island...i had a qualcom.. great phone.. lost the signal all over the island...now i got a motorola startac... haven't lost a signal since... go figger..
*Rich and Mike; I did not know this. Hmmm...I must investigate. But bear in mind it's a big, mostly empty island, and I've discovered it is notoriously underserviced. I also live in a river valley, which may have something to do with it.
*I finally broke down and got one too. So far, it's been useful, but mainly I'm disappointed with the reception quality. Nice security in the tool belt in case I fall off a roof or ladder, could call for help while dying."Help, I'm dying and I can't get up!"PS-Try to avoid Sprint, guys. They were incredibly uncaring and greedy about putting up a 20 story tower across the road from my house. I spent a lot of money to be out here in the country with all the wildlife and the view, and now I gotta look right at that big ugly piece of metal. Let's see, .300 winchester, about 490 yards, no wind....
*Mad Dog, that new tower really helps my reception, thanks!! Didn't they say to go ahead and use it as a tree stand? Plant some hedges and you have a real sturdy duck blind! Or just knock her down and make a pond with an artificial reef. Jeff
*Good tree stand, but a little high probably. I'm just glad there's no lights on the stupid thing.
*I use my phone alot but I avoid calling clients on it. (Did I already say this a couple of months ago?)I want clients to call my office line only and not bother me on my time off. If they get my cell# on their caller id's I'll get calls wherever I am on my own time.
*Around here anyway, a cell phone shows up as "unknown" on caller ID. If I try and call my kids from my cell phone, they won't answer figuring it's a solicitor.Rich Beckman
*In Naples, Nextel is the one to have. An occasional static spot, especially in an elevator of a condo high rise, but their advantages are good, as Nick stated. Here, most subs have them so we can get them direct via the radio if I first put their code number in memory. The pager # can be given out to clients. The only thng I don't like is since I have voice mail, if I don't answer it, a nagging ringing appears every 30 seconds until I turn it off, or check my voice mail. Also, the i1000 Plus is set up for Internet use.Can't operate without it. Got one for my employee and it costs me about $200 per month for both.
*Rich: I think that's great. Never too early to instill a fear of lawyers in your kids.
*LOLRich Beckman
*Thanks for the reminder...I ordered lights on the damn thing! Just called, they promised to have it light in a week or two. Jeff
*Jeff,You did order the big flood lights to light up the surrounding area, right?Rich Beckman
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How many use this and how important is it to your business?