How To (politely) Keep People From Leaving Unnecessary Voice Mails?

True North

I hate voice mail. I hate leaving it, and I really hate getting it. Especially messages like "Hi, it's John Doe, call me back."

Ookaayy John. I have no idea who you are, what you want, and really have no compelling reason to "call you back".

What kind of message can I record to tell people to leave a message only if absolutely neccesary?

How can I encourage people to contact me through email instead of a phone call?

Should I just shut off the voice mail?

What do all of you do?

genecarp

at the tone please leave a short message, this machine is checked infrequently, for faster response please email me at ###########, thankyou.

__________________

MALCO.New.York

I did that and it REALLY pissed people off.

My VM now says "this phone DOES NOT accept VM messages, but if you feel you must, leave a message and someone might, just might, get back to you."

__________________
Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-cnizLDEE

Mike Finley

If I was you I'd cancel my phone. I mean, what the hell, the nerve of people calling you and stuff, who needs that kind of stuff going on in a business?

(Is this thread a joke I'm not in on?)

Nick M.

In my vm greeting, I simply state that "...for a faster response, you can email me directly on my handheld at ...."
Works like a charm, most customers have handhelds and prefer email anyways.
Now if only I could keep my cellular data charges down ....

True North

You know, I hesitated even posting this because I thought I might get a response like Mike's.

Thanks for fulfilling my expectations.

MALCO.New.York

If you knew you would get such responses....Then why are you bitchin'?????

No offense....Just a point.

__________________
Something to One may be Nothing to another!

Ultimate Wisdom---------
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OW-cnizLDEE

mdshunk

It's just part of the job. Do you serve your customers needs, or do you want them to serve you?

BuiltByMAC

Answer your phone EVERY time it rings...always. You'll never have to worry about pesky VMs again.

Or, if you can't deal with that, hire a secretary to answer your calls. He/she can determine if the call is important enough to bother you with.

Or, record a message like the ones above...

Or, record a message stating you've got plenty enough work, thank you very much, no need to leave a message. John Doe can go get his project built by someone else.

Dude, why the hell else would people bother calling you if not to inquire about your available services? "Absolutely necessary?" No, absolutely not...if you're so slammed with work, kill the VM.
(I thought I remembered a thread you started about how bad it was up there and you were looking at moving away...obviously things picked up!)

Mac

Susan Betz

This is why I have the office phone forwarded to my cell. I hate picking up voice mail, and I can usually catch the call on the cell.

__________________
Fences of Distinction, Ocala, FL
http://www.fencesofdistinction.com

nlgutters

LOL i hate when these bastards are always calling to buy my products. I think just getting rid of your phone and maybe have them send smoke signals too call you in?

ATH

I don't have a problem with people who leave voice mail messages. It has, however, been my experience that the overwhelming majority of those who do not leave any details did so because they wanted to sell me something and if they told me that in the message, they KNEW I wouldn't return their call. Leave open the possibility that they might be a client and I'll call 'em back!

Note: I DO call them back in the off chance that they are a client who just does not like leaving voice mail messages.

Now if I could just get rid of the one person (or so) each year who forgets to tell me their phone number and has caller ID blocked.

__________________
Wayne
Around the House
http://www.MyPowerCouple.com

22rifle

Gotta hate those calls back to reality doncha?

Double-A

LOL, if you don't like your VM filling up with junk, you have a couple of choices.

"You've reached Joe with Jedi Carpentry. I'm out in the field today and out of the office. I'll be back in the office after 4:30 for an hour or so to handle any scheduling or new job inquiries. You can reach me then. If you need something before then, please leave a short message after the tone, be sure to tell me your name, number and reason for calling. I do not return solicitation calls."

Or, you can just say,

"This is Joe. I'm working and won't return your call for several hours, so no need to leave a message. Call me after work if you need to BS or send a text or call the significant other (they know how to reach me) if this is an emergency. Please respect my work and my work hours. Paying for a new Lamborghini is killing me."

__________________
"My clients’ wishes are the center of my attention." -- David Guido, a contractor in Woodstock, N.Y.
New York Times, July 20, 2006

Murphy Stout

Wow, the brutal sarcasm...
Unattractive, if you have criticism of this thread you can:
1) Ignore it, don't respond
2) Outline your concerns like an adult.

Not act like a total douche

22rifle

Wow, the brutal sarcasm...
Unattractive, if you have criticism of the replies in this thread you can:
1) Ignore it, don't respond
2) Outline your concerns like an adult.

Not act like a total douche






There. Fixed.

Mike Finley

Then what would I be left with?

Actually, I've never heard of such a thing as what is being asked. If I'm not understanding it, please have the original poster tell us more so I do. Sorry, everything I (we) react to is based on our own experiences. I don't have the experience of being bested by voice mail. But maybe the posters experiences are different then mine.

When I read - I hate voice mail, I hate leaving it, I hate getting it...

hmm.... and based on the others that understand my reply and have basically said the same thing, I don't think it's just me. But I have no excuse, I'm a petty person and I laugh at the pain of others when it's ridiculous to me and gives me pleasure.

Anyways, I wish I had the posters phone number.

mickeyco

Does anyone know how to stop the water in my ice cube trays from freezing in the freezer.


.

__________________
Some people climb mountains. I take out the trash. But we both do it for the same reason.

Murphy Stout

I mean, the question was asked, and you guys are like a bunch of school children poking fun. Explain your views like a man, not a little brat.
Sounds like your a horrible person.
Good luck with that.

22rifle

I mean, the question was asked, a bunch of people replied and you are like a school children poking fun by calling people little brats and children. Explain your views like a man, not a little brat.
Sounds like your a horrible person.
Good luck with that.



There. Fixed.

Really man, chill out and quit acting like a sanctimonious hall monitor.