Comments on: Can You Hear Me Now?

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 18:24:00 +0000

Oh, I intend to, Anne. It’s crazy. And it’s certainly not how I expect an association to conduct business.

By: Anne Wayman

Anne Wayman — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 15:39:00 +0000

Hey Lori, if it turns out it is that association I hope you report them to the BBB and the phone co. It's not harassment, it's stalking!

I sort of screen calls... looking at the caller ID... the people who have suppressed their numbers make that uncertain.

If I don't want to answer while working I turn the ringer off... then I'm not tempted.

Anne

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 12:11:00 +0000

Katharine, you crack me up! If my mother left 5-minute messages, I guess I’d answer, too. Luckily, my mom is somewhat answering machine-phobic. She always sounds like she’s about to run in the other direction, and she delivers it staccato – “Lori! It’s Mom! Call me.”

The first few times you hear that you wonder who died. Then you realize she just hates machines. 🙂

By: your sassy reporter

your sassy reporter — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 10:30:00 +0000

hello!tnx for following my blog. I am however transfrring my three blogs to one site at http://elishagayhidalgo.blogspot.com/
please drop by some time and follow me there instead.many thanks!

By: Katharine Swan

Katharine Swan — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 01:57:00 +0000

Lori, that tracking service sounds handy! How do I find out more about it?

I always screen calls. I only have a cell phone -- no home line -- so I only answer numbers I recognize. Anyone else can leave a message. And when I'm working, the only calls I answer are from my husband (because I love him), my mom (because if I don't she leaves 5-minute messages), or the owner of the barn where my horse is at (because he would only call in an emergency).

On the whole, though, I believe in email. For the most part, that's how everyone communicates with me during the day -- hubby included.

Now, if I could just learn the self-restraint to screen my emails, then I'd be in good shape!

By: Lori

Lori — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 17:59:00 +0000

Thanks for the advice, Sid. It’s appreciated. Actually, I did one better – I decided to run all my cell calls through a tracking service. Even if the number shows up as “Withheld” I will still be able to see who it is. If I’m to make any case for harassment, this little tool will be a godsend.

And you’re right – anyone who gets that huffy from the get-go over circumstances I cannot control isn’t going to be easy to work with.

Gabriella, I have the opposite setup – my land line is for client work and my cell is for very specific client work only. My family and a smattering of friends have that number. It’s on my business cards, but I don’t hand it out readily. Otherwise, I’d be taking calls on Friday evenings or Sunday mornings. No thanks. I have to have time to switch off my work mode or I’ll go crazy.

Amanda, caller ID has saved me MANY wasted hours answering calls from people trying to sell me things. Despite being on both state and national no-call lists, these fools have found a handy way around it – recorded messages or “surveys” that suddenly turn into sales pitches.

By: Sid Prince

Sid Prince — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 16:28:00 +0000

Listen to your gut Lori. You've been doing this long enough to tell when it's a potential engagement and when it's something else.

Though you didn't ask, I'm giving it anyway. My advice, if they do get you on the phone they should get a Thanks but no thanks. My dance card is full.

People are strange, and I don't think you can be too careful when it comes to harassment. If it gets too bad, your cell provider will change your cell number, usually for free. It's a hassle, but could be better than the alternative.

Sorry, I don't have many moments of drama, but this jumped out at me for some reason.

All IMHO,

Sid.

By: Kimberly Ben

Kimberly Ben — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 15:35:00 +0000

I second Devon and Irreverent Freelancer on call screening. My exceptions to this rule: If I’m not terribly busy, or am dealing with a client project I might answer, but I only talk 10-15 minutes. If we can’t get anywhere in that amount of time, I’ll schedule a second call.

I no longer answer calls on weekends (though they persist…). Hardcore call screening during deadlines of course.

By: Gabriella F.

Gabriella F. — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:32:00 +0000

I have two lines, a hard line that I don’t give to clients and a cell, which I use for business. However, so that I don’t start getting tons of calls from sources and PR people, I don’t give my cell number to many people other than clients. That means I don’t get many calls during the day at all.

On the hard line, because relatives have got into financial trouble and their creditors began to call me, I always screen home calls. I simply don’t answer calls from people I don’t recognize. And I use http://www.whocalled.us to identify all callers just so I know who’s trying to bother me.

I don’t know if you’re like me, but since I spend a lot of time interviewing people on the phone, I don’t enjoy talking on the phone much otherwise. Feels like I’m tied to the phone too much!

By: Irreverent Freelancer

Irreverent Freelancer — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:32:00 +0000

I second Devon on this one. I NEVER answer my phone during working hours unless I’ve prescheduled a conference call with a client. To reach me, you must either plan in advance or leave a message and wait for me to get back to you. No exceptions.