caller ID callback

[Brian Trout]

Hi Patrick,

This is an excellent question, and one I've been thinking about posting for
quite some time.  I have caller ID as well, and sometimes wonder if I should
call people back who don't leave messages.  (I never have, but I've thought
about it.)

I've also had several instances where someone has called and left a message
asking me to call them about getting their piano tuned.  On a few of those
occasions, we will play answering machine tag, but more frequently, I'll
call back when I get in from my day's service calls, and find out they've
already scheduled with someone else.

Options...  1) Call forwarding to my cell phone.  Might work in some
locations, but cell coverage in my area is still somewhat spotty, and I
might not be able to receive the call anyway.  2) Hire a secretary.  Not
practical at this point.  I can't afford to hire anyone yet, and being
without a mate, that's not an option either.  3) Hire an answering service.
I've not found one locally that was satisfactory to me, but are any of you
using one successfully?  If so, I'd like to hear about it.  4) Keep on going
with the answering machine / voice mail.

Most people do either call back later or leave me a message to call them,
and we do connect shortly thereafter.  But those people that I miss out on
serving because they don't reach me immediately still bug me.  It may very
well be a fact of life for the smaller operators out there.

Any thoughts, out there?  I'd be interested too.

Best wishes,

Brian Trout
Quarryville, PA
btrout@desupernet.net