caller ID callback

[Wallace Scherer]

Hi Brian,

When I was in Virginia I had calls forwarded to my cellular phone. The 
service more than paid for itself as I would sometimes book a tuning 
while at another customer's house. Of course, if they wanted to chat or 
something more than just make an appointment, I explained I was with a 
customer right then and could call them later.

Once while in a car heading home from a tuning, I got a call and 
I was only three blocks away - so I did the job right then. Fast service!

Here in Florida my business, and even potential business it seems, is not 
enough to warrant that expense yet - a cell phone I mean. But it may be 
worth it soon as I think I'm missing about one or two possible jobs a 
month by people who don't want to leave a message and want to schedule 
something NOW! So far I don't know that the $11 a month for caller ID has 
helped in that regard, but another tuner I know says it definitely DOES 
help him get more business.

Got to try different things until we find what works for US.

Wally S.

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On Mon, 11 Sep 2000, Brian Trout wrote:

> 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
>