Interesting Business This...

medicnick83

medicnick83

Paramedic
Joined
Aug 23, 2006
Messages
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Location
CBD, Cape Town
So...

I decide to have my mom's washing machine repaired and I send out a few e-mails of businesses I found on Gumtree.

I send out quite a few e-mails and this one guy replies with:

Sure, call me when you have money.
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Strange...

My initial e-mail to him read as follows;

Hi there,
I stay in Vredehoek, Gardens area and have a washing machine that needs a quotation to repair. Can you give me a call on *number removed* to arrange to come around have quote me on the repair.
Thanks!
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Did I miss something?

I then send him another e-mail, thinking that maybe he didn't quite understand my request...

?
I would like a quote on a repair.
Are you able to do that or not?
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His reply

Yes.
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Can I be blamed for actually having no interest in dealing with this guy or his business?
 
maybe you should have "made the call"

i am sure he does not want to get involved in an email conversation

it's a bit like someone who sends you an sms & before you know it, you are on text number 6 with them


why didn't you just phone the guy ??
 
Well he said yes, the correct answer to the question. However can you be serious, not even a "Yes we can" "We can take a look"

Ha, Gumtree why does anyone use it
 
My feeling is:
1) if a customer can't afford a phone call(sms), the can't afford my services.
2) an sms/ email does not give a clear picture of the task, and takes more of my time than a phone call.
Ultimately proving to be a waste to me and client.
 
If the guy can't be curteous and friendly over whatever medium of communication the customer chooses then move onto the next person.

Rude, dismissive people don't get my business.
 
You should phone someone asking for their service. They won't phone you asking to come do the service unless they are cold calling you.
 
D tj said:
My feeling is:
1) if a customer can't afford a phone call(sms), the can't afford my services.
2) an sms/ email does not give a clear picture of the task, and takes more of my time than a phone call.
Ultimately proving to be a waste to me and client.
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This is the dumbest thing I've ever read. So apparently sending an email from my R35000 Macbook Pro with 10Mb/s uncapped ADSL means I have less money than some dude with a Nokia 3210 on pay as you go?

A well detailed email with all the details, model numbers and an exact description of the problem and detailed instructions about how to find my house isn't good enough.

I can't imagine how much business you are losing.
 
I like the approach you took. Sommer email them all at once so they can see who all you sent the mail to! The onus is on them to get back to you
 
D tj said:
My feeling is:
1) if a customer can't afford a phone call(sms), the can't afford my services.
2) an sms/ email does not give a clear picture of the task, and takes more of my time than a phone call.
Ultimately proving to be a waste to me and client.
Click to expand...

BobsLawnService said:
This is the dumbest thing I've ever read. So apparently sending an email from my R35000 Macbook Pro with 10Mb/s uncapped ADSL means I have less money than some dude with a Nokia 3210 on pay as you go?

A well detailed email with all the details, model numbers and an exact description of the problem and detailed instructions about how to find my house isn't good enough.

I can't imagine how much business you are losing.
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no but if you prefer the cheap way out of emailing then i would think you not all that interested

a very interested customer is the one who will phone and ask for service
 
I.am.Sam said:
no but if you prefer the cheap way out of emailing then i would think you not all that interested

a very interested customer is the one who will phone and ask for service
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I disagree..

I get irritated trying to deal with company that can't converse with me on a medium like email. I don't want to have to phone companies until such time as I'm sure that I will be dealing with them.
 
I don't email because it is cheap. If I get your details on Gumtree I use the email address because it reduces the risk of ambiguity and confusion, it is convenient to click an email link instead of finding my phone, finding your number on the site and punching it into my phone and I just prefer email correspondence. Having a paper trail is also nice.
 
ToxicBunny said:
I disagree..

I get irritated trying to deal with company that can't converse with me on a medium like email. I don't want to have to phone companies until such time as I'm sure that I will be dealing with them.
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these are not companies that you need to keep an email as proof of service

these are regular guys that advertise on gumtree ...
 
I call the manufacturer, they have service technicians that do call outs.
 
BobsLawnService said:
I don't email because it is cheap. If I get your details on Gumtree I use the email address because it reduces the risk of ambiguity and confusion, it is convenient to click an email link instead of finding my phone, finding your number on the site and punching it into my phone and I just prefer email correspondence. Having a paper trail is also nice.
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i also prefer that way ...but i noticed when getting quotes on blinds and cupboards and stuff

most want to visit you and speak or speak on the phone

not on email
 
I.am.Sam said:
these are not companies that you need to keep an email as proof of service

these are regular guys that advertise on gumtree ...
Click to expand...

I will still use email as a means of first contact. If I like the way they respond, or the price they respond with is acceptable.. I then phone and start making arrangements.
 
That isn't an excuse for being unprofessional and curteous in whatever medium your customers use to communicate.
 
If someone can not deal with me via email I find someone else to do it.
 
As an addition to this.

I'm currently getting quotes for a new section of roof at my house.

I've been pleasantly surprised at the number of guys who have responded to my inquiry via emails this morning.
 
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