Some days I wish I could tell them what I am thinking!

[englishteacha]

My DH's home business (computer/IT stuff) shares the same line as our house. Most clients contact him via email, but occasionally we get calls. Our answering machine message is "you have reached xxx-xxxx, the home of DingBat Communications and the Smith residence. We are unable to take your call right now, but if you leave a brief message, we'll get back to you as soon as we can." Since we have caller ID, if I see a business call coming in and DH is out, I usually let it go to the machine. As a former secretary, I can be very polite and helpful, but it's easier on both of us if clients leave a message. The caller ID has been a godsend these past few years. We don't get any cell reception here, so directing a caller to a cell phone isn't a feasible option.

Oh, and DH's business isn't DingBat communications...though maybe I should suggest that as a company name the next time he's driving me crazy!

 

[WishingOnAStar]

{{{SIGH}}}

But I can't. My husband is a contractor, so when people call I have to be nice. I really wish some conversations could go more like this:




Caller 2: Is your husband home?
Me: No, I am sorry he is working.
Caller: Well, I just need him to move a toilet for me. I am working on the bathroom and thought he could move our toilet for me because it's in the wrong spot. It should only take him a couple of minutes.Me saying what I really want: Sorry, I am using the magic wand to clean the house today.



Ugh! Honestly some people just don't get it. Some days I think it would be easier to stand on my head and poop nickels. {{{SIGH}}}

OMG- I SOOOOOO agree with you!! We own a plumbing company and I answer the phones. When people call and want something RIGHT THEN AND THERE and I tell them we're booked, chances are they will say, "well, it will only take a couple of minutes" or "I'd do it myself, but................" I can't put more hours in a day. If we're already booked, I can't squeeze in another job. And besides, when a customer says it's an easy job and will only take "a few minutes", chances are it's a 2+ hour job!!!!!

I should also add that we don't give out his cell number b/c he can't answer the phone all day and work. We have office numbers for people to call. When he's not in the office because he's working, people get mad when I won't give them his cell number. He will call you back when he gets in the office later. He does not make calls while he is working at other people's houses. Besides, if you need an appointment, you're going to have to talk to me anyway. If you want free advice, you should go to Home Depot.

My personal favorite is that faucet or toilet that's been leaking for months, but because there's a holiday or the MIL is visiting it needs to be fixed RIGHT now and they call at 4PM on a Friday and can't understand why we can't just squeeze them in!!!


Okay, rant over!

 

[mickeyboat]

OMG- I SOOOOOO agree with you!! We own a plumbing company and I answer the phones. When people call and want something RIGHT THEN AND THERE and I tell them we're booked, chances are they will say, "well, it will only take a couple of minutes" or "I'd do it myself, but................" I can't put more hours in a day. If we're already booked, I can't squeeze in another job. And besides, when a customer says it's an easy job and will only take "a few minutes", chances are it's a 2+ hour job!!!!!

My personal favorite is that faucet or toilet that's been leaking for months, but because there's a holiday or the MIL is visiting it needs to be fixed RIGHT now and they call at 4PM on a Friday and can't understand why we can't just squeeze them in!!!


Okay, rant over!

"And while you're here, can you take a look at this and fix that, and oops, I didn't get the materials you wanted, so I need to run to Home Depot - I will be right back?

 

[Mkaz]

Caller 2 was the one that really got me this morning. This person is a repeat customer, so they know that dh is very very busy. They were not nice at all.

 

[WishingOnAStar]

"And while you're here, can you take a look at this and fix that, and oops, I didn't get the materials you wanted, so I need to run to Home Depot - I will be right back?

LOL!!! I see you have been tapping our phone lines!

 

[Piglet4Ever]

I fell your pain. DH is in the military and his last job had him attached to a cell phone 24/7. Even if we were on vacation he had to take it with him. Well he had one "lovely" officer who if she couldn't reach him at work she would call home, even though he was at work and must have been on another call or out of the office when she called and I guess she didn't feel like calling the cell or leaving a message like anyone else would have done. So she'd call up at home, I answer she'd ask if Dh was there. I'd say no he's at work, and she'd always say well I just tried calling there and he didn't answer and make a big stink like she was being put out If he was off work, which was rare, instead of calling someone else for an answer or waiting till he got back to work, or even calling the cell, she'd call our house and leave a message, man that lady burned my cookies. Even after he left that job, she called a few times with questions. Eventually we just made a joke out of it, it was either that or scream and pull all our hair out