answer cell phone in customer's homes?

[John Ross]

I have an 800 number, and my cell phone number on my business card.
If it is not important, then obviously, the customer uses the free, to them number.
I therefore, do, answer my phone in a customer's home. To me that is 'service', the fact that my customers, can contact me when they 'need' to.
It will normally, be the university, with a broken string type thing, or a church or theatre with something they need an answer to right then, or even my Wife with a problem.
I always excuse myself, and have never had a customer appear annoyed.
As to the bit about the customer being annoyed, about the time,  I find that a bit ridiculous. Who charges by the minute? Most time charged, probably isn't charged in anything less than 5 minute increments. Most calls are much less than that, and if it is going to last any length of time, you say you will call them back. They then at least know, you have it in hand.
Another thing, when I get home most businesses are closed, and you wouldn't be able to get to them till the next day, which might be too late, and they have gone on to someone else.
So yes I do answer my phone in a customers home.
John M. Ross
Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada.
jrpiano at win.eastlink.ca
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: David Ilvedson 
  To: pianotech at ptg.org 
  Sent: Sunday, August 20, 2006 1:27 AM
  Subject: Re: answer cell phone in customer's homes?


  My cell phone # is on the answering machine if they need to reach me immediately and it's on my business card...

  David Ilvedson, RPT
  Pacifica, CA 94044




------------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Original message
  From: Farrell 
  To: "Pianotech List" 
  Received: 8/19/2006 5:09:04 AM
  Subject: Re: answer cell phone in customer's homes?


  I carry my cell phone with me at all times when outside of my home/shop. But I don't give my cell number out to anyone except family and maybe a few very select individuals. I simply choose not to deal with customer calls when I'm out on an appointment.

  Terry Farrell
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    Do you guys and gals answer your cell phone in customer's homes?  I just couldn't bring myself to do it.  They might come running into the room to see if I'm calling them to the piano to point something out, only to discover I'm conversing on their nickel (at least, that's how they might see it if I'm charging by the hour).  But if you don't answer before the 3rd ring these days, instead of leaving a message, people just call another tuner.  How can you concentrate on a tuning if you're answering the phone and making appointments in other people's homes?
                --David Nereson, RPT   
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