answer cell phone in customer's homes?

[piannaman at aol.com]

It usually depends on the situation.  If I'm doing a warranty tuning--a less frequent occurrence these days--I have no problem taking the phone into the house, but I usually leave it off.
 
If there's some kind of pending family emergency, I keep my phone on in the customer's house and answer if it's an important call.
 
I normally leave the phone in the car and check messages between appointments.
 
If for some reason I do need to use the phone during an appointment, I always make up the time at the other end...at which point I sometimes need to call my next customer with my cell to inform them I'm going to be late.
 
Since my cell phone IS my business phone, that's the number customers get.  Most people leave a message.  Those that can't wait are probably price shopping, as previously mentioned. 
 
Dave Stahl




Dave Stahl Piano Service
650-224-3560
dstahlpiano at sbcglobal.net
http://dstahlpiano.net/



 
 
-----Original Message-----
From: jim at pianoguy.com
To: pmc033 at earthlink.net; pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: Sat, 19 Aug 2006 4:23 AM
Subject: Re: answer cell phone in customer's homes?


Hi
On the other hand, cell use is a fact of life, and availability is, as was pointed out, equal to money . . I always have mine with me, and though someetimes choose not to answer, if I am in a conversation with a customer, have never found that my having a cell bothers my customers.
Actually, it works to my benefit, in that my customer has obviously made the right choice, cause I am 'in demand' !!
After all, we have a portable business, and not one with an office and a secretary . . .
Hello hello  . . . . 
 
Jim Kinnear
Canada !
----- Original Message ----- 
From: pmc033 at earthlink.net 
To: dnereson at 4dv.net, Pianotech List 
Sent: Saturday, August 19, 2006 1:26 AM
Subject: RE: answer cell phone in customer's homes?


Hi, David:
    I once attended a business class years ago.  It was agreed by all that carrying a cell phone into a customer's home was a no-no.  
    I had a problem once when I answered a call during a tuning.  It was an important call, for me, and I needed to get the call.  I apologized profusely afterward, as the customer was irate about it.  But I never heard from her again.  
    I'd say that if your potential customer calls, and you don't answer until later, so be it.  Better to keep the customer you have (by leaving the phone in the car) than answer the phone.  If it's a repeat customer calling, they'll leave a message.  If they aren't, they're probably price shopping.  Don't worry about it.  Just let it ring...
    JMHO.
    Paul McCloud
    San Diego
 
 
----- Original Message ----- 
From: David Nereson 
To: List Pianotech
Sent: 08/18/2006 10:09:38 PM 
Subject: answer cell phone in customer's homes?


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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