Phones when mobile

[lauraj]

I got a missed call from a lady at about 7pm today and I was eating my tea so I let it go to message and then I had to rush out whilst I was driving I got another 6 missed calls from the same number and no message. So before I left the car I sent them a text saying I couldn't take the call right now as I had an appointment. Then the person text back saying that they wanted their nails done thursday so I text back and said I will call them as soon as I get home I have 4pm avalible then I got no reply

The thing is I don't have a seperate work phone so if I am busy I will just let it go to normal message. Should I have a work phone with a work message? And am I out of order not answering if I am busy or should I answer at anytime?

 

[Fuzion]

I got a missed call from a lady at about 7pm today and I was eating my tea so I let it go to message and then I had to rush out whilst I was driving I got another 6 missed calls from the same number and no message. So before I left the car I sent them a text saying I couldn't take the call right now as I had an appointment. Then the person text back saying that they wanted their nails done thursday so I text back and said I will call them as soon as I get home I have 4pm avalible then I got no reply

The thing is I don't have a seperate work phone so if I am busy I will just let it go to normal message. Should I have a work phone with a work message? And am I out of order not answering if I am busy or should I answer at anytime?

Hi there,

I've had 20 years of running my business from the same mobile, private and business use, but this year I cracked, I got myself a cheapie for work, best thing I ever did.

I'd be on holiday and my phone would ring whilst I was sunbathing, it would cost me £1 to say I'm on holiday, as people don't seem to recognise the different ring tone, or they'd text e on holiday, then again, then again as I won't rply, cos I'm on holiday. 4 am in the morning I had forgotten to turn my phone off, a client text me for an appointmnet, 11pm at night phone rings, client, I could go on all night about this one, when you're mobile you have no space. Since getting married and having children I made it clear my home number was for emergencies only, I had a client just last week ringing home, then mobile, then home again, this went on for 40mins, I have caller display so I ignored it, this started at 8.40pm on a Friday night, I did ring her eventually as I felt bad, it turns out her daughter who never lets me near her hair had dyed it, and wanted my advice on what to do, cheek!!!!!!!

I became really phone phobic last year it all got to much, so this year I rebranded my business, price increase, new glossy literature, business cards, website, sign written car, t-shirts for work, I really went to town, and I purchased a PAYG phone for £9, it came with £10 credit, I still have my lush iphone, which I return calls from but I with hold the number. My client have now all got the idea, I have also stated on my literature that no appointments will be taken by text, after all its good to talk, we all know in this business communication is key, had lots of mistakes made because of texting. My friend think the rule doesn't apply to them, but they're learning.

The best part of all this? 7pm that phone gets switched off, fantastic! I went away for my birthday, that phone was switched off, and the answerphone explained I was away and when I'd return.

That £9 was the most valuable asset to my business, in fact PRICELESS!:hug:

 

[Tonimaxwill]

Hi Laura, I only have one phone but my message is for my business, I never answer the phone if i'm with a client or somewhere I can't talk properly to them ie shops, school run etc. Like you if a number came up that often I would call or text to say I was sorry I missed their call. If you worked in a salon you couldn't, wouldn't leave a client to answer the phone, so I think you have done the right thing but I would change my message in case they think they have wrong number. hth

Annie xx

 

[Claire83]

I've been wondering about this and have got my personal phone number on my website and am wondering if I should change it.

I have calls from potential clients, mobile networks, friends and recruitment agencies that can't take the hint that I'm not working. I think a business phone would be handy. You'd know it was a client calling without having to check.

I wouldn't answer a phone if I was with clients or travelling or somewhere I couldn't talk properly. A client has to understand we aren't always hanging around waiting for them to call, we have other clients to see in the meantime.

 

[Vetty]

Seperate business phone all the way - more professional and more convenient. Professional work voicemail message, always know how to answer it (business greeting) and can turn it off. When I go away on Saturday my voicemail will say I'm away til the 2nd September and please call me then. I don't leave a facility for anyone to leave a message as I don't want to return to a full message box.

Things are better seperate IMO.

 

[gemsie1983]

Yep I agree seperate phones all the way, you can switch it off after hours x

 

[lauraj]

Thanks I'll have a look for a cheep pay as you go one then. I do sometimes feel that clients don't understand that I have a life too.

 

[Alfadais]

I've always had a seperate business phone and it's so much more professional and also makes things easier for you ,
You can pick one up so cheaply it's worth doing.My work phone is always on between certain hours and my clientele know this so generally call within those time frames,for those that don't,when it's switched off i have a business greeting for messages.
Answering the phone when busy with other clients is a tricky one and it's very much a personal choice,If i am chocca block i will set it to answerphone explaining that i am presently busy and will get back to them asap if they leave a message,name and number for me to get back to them. It's not nice being very brief on the phone for the client that is booking in they deserve your time also.If i have an easy day i will set it to ring,excuse myself and answer it.This works well for me.

 

[karenrose]

I have a seperate mobile also. On my website I put that I accept calls and texts. Most often someone will call and If I dont answer they will text me with their query.
I switch the mobile off at nights but even on my days off I keep the phone on so I dont miss any calls or texts!

 

[Claire83]

For your answerphone messages, how have you phrased that you are busy and will call back asap?

I'm off looking for another phone for work only now.

The same thing happened to me last night, working up until 11:30 answering email queries. All of a sudden I have got wedding and hen party parties so was dealing with them. I couldn't seem to switch off and spent all day and night working on it until I gave up and went to bed.

I swear some people think we don't do anything except await their call/email.

 

[lauraj]

I found a cheep phone on the carphone wearhouse website its £10.99 with £10 credit might get that

 

[lisa82]

I agree, you defo need sererate phone, clients ring and txt at all hours!
It also keeps things simple for your tax return x

 

[Beautyw]

Yes I would have separate phones. When you think of your days off and could be in the middle of shopping etc you don't want to be taking appointments. Anyone that rings after hours I don't answer and call them back the next day. But keep my phone on for Mondays and Tuesdays.

 

[Fuzion]

For your answerphone messages, how have you phrased that you are busy and will call back asap?

I'm off looking for another phone for work only now.

The same thing happened to me last night, working up until 11:30 answering email queries. All of a sudden I have got wedding and hen party parties so was dealing with them. I couldn't seem to switch off and spent all day and night working on it until I gave up and went to bed.

I swear some people think we don't do anything except await their call/email.

My messages change depeding on where, what and when, but generally it just states that I am busy with a client, and to leave a brief message, name and number and I will return their call ASAP. I've never had a problem with people getting miffed cos I'm not answering, my clients know I'll return their call, and new clients will have to get used to it.

I had a friend today sent me 2 texts whilst I was with a client, asking me what time i was coming, and I did say to her she should have rung, as I could have answered the phone to her, but whilst I'm in a clients home, I'm not going to start replying to texts or returning calls, therefore she didn't know what time I was coming til I arrived. I have really toughened up, if a question needs a reply I expect a call not a text!


Laura, my work phone £9 from Asda, with £10 credit....priceless!

 

[torella]

I bought a PAYG mobile from Tesco and get triple credit!!! i have a business greeting just saying that sorry i cant answer your call, please leave your name, number and message and i will get back to you as soon as i can.

I find it much easier. and i dont have to worry about having my personal number splashed all over town and the internet!!!

 

[olabecee]

Hi, can anyone please put me in the right direction in getting a cheap PAYG phone. I have been on Tesco's website, Asda's website, and also Carphone warehouse website as this thread suggested to get a really cheap one to seperate business calls from personal calls. I can't seem to find any of the £9.99 or £10.00 phones. Any help would be highly appreciated. Thanks

 

[silverbird9t9]

If you have an old unblocked handset you could simply get a free pay as you go sim card Free Sim Cards

 

[olabecee]

Thank you very much. I'll look into the free sim as well but the only thing is I don't have an old phone that is working. They are all dead (lol) from the children knocking them off and some of them just died for no apparent reason. I think I have about 5 to 6 of them like that at home. Cheers for the link.

 

[Fuzion]

Hi, can anyone please put me in the right direction in getting a cheap PAYG phone. I have been on Tesco's website, Asda's website, and also Carphone warehouse website as this thread suggested to get a really cheap one to seperate business calls from personal calls. I can't seem to find any of the £9.99 or £10.00 phones. Any help would be highly appreciated. Thanks

Hiya,

I got mine direct from Asda, rather than the website.

 

[olabecee]

Thanks Fuzion, I'll check Asda out then.