I accept that just about every customer has a cell phone now a days, but I don't accept being rude and taking calls while I am working with them. Or how about a customer walks in while talking on the phone and expects you to wait while they carry on their conversation. Its really getting to me and I want to post a sign.
WOuld you post the sign outside, as they walk in? or on the counter? Has anyone else posted one? How did you word it?
Posted by Michael Boone (Member # 308) on :
never mind the sign....
take a lesson and be rude right back.....
Posted by Robert Salyers (Member # 5) on :
I would suggest you go back to work. They will get to speak with you again when they are able to catch your attention again. They will eventually decide which is more important. One shop that I go to has a sign asking "no cell phones" in their shop. I knew that one was coming!
Posted by Theresa Hoying (Member # 7330) on :
Laura,
I deal with this all the time and just a week ago I got very angry with a customer that accepted 3 calls while I was trying to get all their info on what they wanted, etc. I have a cell phone too, but I always silence the ringer if I am speaking to someone and then when I am done, I call whomever called me back.
They are inconsiderate, and I agree with posting some sort of sign. Though i just don't know how you would word it.
And Michael is right, sometimes you just need to be rude right back.
T
Posted by Jane Diaz (Member # 595) on :
Just walk away and do something else. When they are done, come back and talk to them. It depends on what kind of day I am having but I would take my clue from the customer...if THEY are rude, I'd get REAL busy and make THEM wait. I don't think a sign would help...they are too busy talking on their phone anyway. Posted by Felix Marcano (Member # 1833) on :
I got this architect that has his sexetary call me & put me on hold until he's done with his next call. I just hang up.
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
Do it the same way movie theaters and other businesses do it:
Picture of a cell phone inside a circle with a slash through it, just like a No Smoking sign, with the words "No Cell Phones"
Put it on your door, right next to the handle where they will see it, and another one on top of the counter or hanging right on the front of the counter.
No need to be politically correct or word it all feely touchy. Tell them exactly what you want them to do. No "Please" and no "thank you" are required, just a big NO so they get the hint, otherwise they won't take you seriously! No Shirt, No Shoes, No Service has always worked.
We have businesses here with "NO TWEAKERS" and "NO CELL PHONES" emblazoned across their doors and windows. It's good to see some folks finally standing up to put an end to the bullcrap.
The next step (for me, at least) would be to grab some plaster and enough tight wire mesh to completely cover all the walls. Put a skim coat of plaster on the walls, stick the mesh into it, then another coat of plaster. The mesh will disrupt the cell phone signals and NOBODY will be able to get a signal in that area. Anyone walking through your door while on the phone will be instantly cut off as their signal vanishes. Posted by Dusty Campbell (Member # 4601) on :
Felix, was that a little Freudian slip?
I think Mike's no cell phone sign is how I would go.
Mike, what is a tweaker?
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
Mikes Pipes is a tweaker, thats how he lost his weight Posted by Jon Jantz (Member # 6137) on :
Laura... first of all get a gun permit so you can tote a big gun... like a 44 magnum. Wear it on your side in a big leather holster.
Then post signs, "Please do not reach for your cell phone, as I may misinterpret your actions."
After one or two customer's phone rings, they reach for it, and you draw down on them... word will get around town that YOU DO NOT USE YOUR PHONE AT LAURA'S.
If you have an old desk or something in your showroom, you might even squeeze off a round or two into it for extra effect for those particularly annoying customers...
Posted by Laura Butler (Member # 1830) on :
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
And then Laura needs to post the following sign:
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
Sorry Laura, I know it's rude, but how bad do you want their business? My competitor has the no interuption attitude.
Cell phones are a fact of life. I would just keep track of the time and charge the time into the deal. Its not worth loosing a client over.
Good luck
Posted by Kimberly Zanetti (Member # 2546) on :
I would simply say - Perhaps you'd prefer to come back later when you're not so busy.
Posted by Mark Tucker (Member # 6461) on :
How did the human race survive before cell phones? I am amazed when I get out in traffic at how every other driver has one stuck in his/her ear, blabbing away. Same thing in most public places....yakyakyakyakyakyak. How do folks find so much to talk about?
Yes, I have one, but it stays in my truck for emergencies only. Last time I had an emergency, the batteries were dead!
My cell phone:
[ May 25, 2007, 08:48 PM: Message edited by: Mark Tucker ]
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
Rick, that's a good way of looking at it. I personally have no shop at this time but make appointments with people through my cell phone, all kinds of appointments just like everyone else. I don't care if I'm speaking in person with a future customer and they get a call or I get a call as its all about the money for both of us, I give'm all a break and if new technology in communication bothers others than maybe the great outdoors will put them into a new perspective as its done me. Spending too much time in one's shop stops you from meeting new people unless waiting for customers to come to you is your trip.
cell phones forever Posted by Sue Brown (Member # 6677) on :
quote:Originally posted by Dusty Campbell: Mike, what is a tweaker?
Dusty.. a tweaker is a speed freak.. umm as in Meth.. .. I used to work grave yard shift as a grocery checker.. Tweakers grocery shop in the middle of the nite..lol .. boy was that fun..
Now as to cell phones.. If people get on their phones at the counter.. and its not related to something important to the sign.. We will just walk away and get back to work.. I basically tell them.. Let me know when your ready for me.
and and if people call me then put me on hold .. i tend to hang up too... I dont have time time to sit on hold.. nor stand at the counter waiting for someone to get off their cell
Posted by Rodger MacMunn (Member # 4316) on :
I don't use a cell much, but often one is waiting on an important call & trying to do business at the same time........ my shop phone usually rings when I'm talking to a customer, so there's no difference. I deal with it quickly & call back later so as to not waste my customer's time, so if the shoe is on the other foot, I'd simply carry on working until they were ready to talk. I would think a sign prohibiting cell usage in your shop would appear rude - we're ALL busy.....
Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :
I just crank the surround sound up to the max and go back to work in the shop. I refuse to stand around waiting for them.
My shop...my rules. Rapid
[ May 25, 2007, 09:21 PM: Message edited by: Ray Rheaume ]
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
Dusty, Sue got it on the tweaker definition but you'll be able to spot a tweaker quite easily if you see one out in public. Their skin will be drawn tight, likely full of scars where they've used their fingernails to literally gouge out chunks of skin because they think they see bugs crawling on their faces, and they stutter like Elmer Fudd only a tweaker is extra-entertaining because they'll have a nervous tick or shake to go along with the stuttering (hence the nickname tweaker). A real mess.
I don't think posting a sign barring cell phone use in your business is rude. They're coming to you for their needs and anyone that respects anyone else's time will not balk at not using a phone during the meeting. It does go both ways, I won't take a call while I'm talking to someone else. That's what voicemail is for. Unless someone is on their deathbed or pregnant or stranded on the side of the road in B.F.E. there just isn't anything important enough to be glued to the phone - a slave to the Bell.
I think the whole phone thing just reeks of irony.
Alexander Bell invents the phone so people could communicate easier.
People get tired of answering the phone all the time or missing calls so someone else invents the answering machine.
Then along comes caller ID at home and combined with the answering machine, people start screening their calls (so they don't have to talk to anyone they don't want.)
Then someone else invents the mobile phone so people can always take calls wherever they are.
Then the mobile phone gets voicemail and caller ID built-in so people can screen their calls and avoid talking to each other again.
Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
geez Mike ya forgot the invention of the sign machine like the one you use which turns persons into sign and graphics wizards.
and how bout the invention of the color wheel so persons can see what its gonna look like Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
well Joey I'm startin' to hate "sign machines" too... I prefer looking at the world through the tiny square on the back of a camera... it's a narrow view but it's the one I like. Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
and your photography is excellent Mike Posted by Gene Golden (Member # 3934) on :
I have many types of cell phone users here too:
I appreciate when someone receives a call that they can't miss and they attempt to take it outside. I tell them to remain inside because they'll never hear their conversation on the street. The person on the other end of the line can't see that my customer is busy with me, it's not their fault!
I also appreciate the ones who will look at the screen and realize that they'll take it later. I always give them the option of taking the call.
Cell phones have become our lifelines and I don't begrudge anyone taking a business call while "shopping in my store". He has already taken the time out of his busy life to come to MY shop to do business with me. I will accept a little inconvenience or delay in my daily routine to accommodate a client.
Posted by Jon Jantz (Member # 6137) on :
Gene, you're a good man....
But after standing around, shifting from one foot to the other, tapping the counter, fuming, and having random thoughts of beating someone with a coroplast sign, listening to the following for 10 min... I still stand by the 44 Mag solution.
"Honey, yes we can eat out tonight..."
"No.. that's fine with me..."
"Yes, you cook plenty, it's perfectly fine if we eat out tonight.."
"No, honey.... you are a good wife..."
"I know, we've eaten out all week... it doesn't matter...."
"No... we had seafood last night... I'm thinking more of Outback tonight..."
"Yes, I'm saving $20 bucks here at the sign shop... we can afford it..."
"Yes, they ARE the ones that have the Bloomin' Oni......"
BLAM... BLAM BLAM.... BLAM!
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
Jon points out the real cause of those " hate those cell phone calls. Most would accept it if someone had to take a call that seemed worthy. But those calls just to yak,, Those are exactly the calls that cause the problems.
I left in the middle a lunch date with a supplier once because of that. Sorry he had to pay the bill.
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
Mr Golden, you ARE the man. That's what I wanted to say.
[ May 26, 2007, 07:15 PM: Message edited by: Rick Beisiegel ]
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
I agree with Gene too. I will also take my calls while with a client, but I'll say "excuse me, I'll make this brief" If it's a pre-scheduled appointment for an important client, I won't... but the usual walk-ins can wait a minute... I'm always doing ten things when they walk in, so I'm already making a sacrifice to help them... and if they get a call... I got 9 other things I can return to for a few mnutes.
Posted by Brad Farha (Member # 931) on :
If someone takes a call while we're in the middle of a conversation, I just pretend they disappeared.
Posted by Russ McMullin (Member # 5617) on :
I'm of the opinion of Gene, Rick, and Doug. In fact, if I were forced to list the top 1000 things that bug me, the cell phone thing wouldn't make my list. I just find something else to do while people are on the phone. Most of the time the calls are short, and it's not much of an interruption.
Something that does make my list: store owners/employees that don't acknowledge my presence when I walk into their store, and they are busy with another customer. It would be nice to have them say, "I'll be with you as soon as I can"., instead of pretending you don't exist.
Posted by Monte Jumper (Member # 1106) on :
If I don't want to be inturpted with their phone I will turn off my phone in front of them and say something like "there now we won't be disturbed"
Some take the hint and turn off or at least ignore any incoming calls...others are still clueless.
I've also stareted to leave in the middle of their phone conversation telling them "I gotta go" you want to see them get off the phone fast...it's pretty funny.
Posted by Tony Ray Mattingly (Member # 469) on :
quote:Originally posted by Jane Diaz: Just walk away and do something else. When they are done, come back and talk to them. It depends on what kind of day I am having but I would take my clue from the customer...if THEY are rude, I'd get REAL busy and make THEM wait. I don't think a sign would help...they are too busy talking on their phone anyway.
Sounds good.
Posted by Kathy Lowry (Member # 7353) on :
Oh, being interrupted by a customers cellphone irritates me to no end. I too have thought of putting up a sign requesting no cellphones. 99% of the time my customers calls are frivolous. My time is valuable. I stand at my counter with a bored look on my face, tapping my fingers and sighing. Sometimes i'll go back to work on a job but that means i'll be getting into the job again and have to be interrupted again.
I will not interrupt a customer who has taken the time to come into my shop to answer my phone. They may tell me to take the call but i tell them that they've taken the time to come in and i will not interrupt our business. I have voice mail and if that caller really wants to talk to me they can leave a message or call back.
Posted by Paul Bierce (Member # 5412) on :
quote:Originally posted by Russ McMullin: Something that does make my list: store owners/employees that don't acknowledge my presence when I walk into their store, and they are busy with another customer. It would be nice to have them say, "I'll be with you as soon as I can"., instead of pretending you don't exist.
Amen Russ! I can't stand it when people do that.
As far as the whole cell phone things goes, I chalk it up to something I read in "How to win friends and influence people" over the weekend.
To paraphrase: "Everyone craves the feeling that they're important"
Cell phones give people that feeling. By yapping on the phone they're puffing themselves up and sending the message to the rest of us "Hey, I'm a really important person and really must take this call".
And don't even get me started with all the New Yorkers who are addicted to their "Crackberry's"
[ May 29, 2007, 09:55 AM: Message edited by: Paul Bierce ]
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
I like Jon's solution....open fire!
But I would add one thing: After the smoke clears, relieve them of their phone and sell it on eBay.
We're in this business for profit after all, aren't we?! Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
lol Ms.Laura . . . don'cha love people?? Actually if it were'nt for all these people on the planet things would run a lot smoother . . .
Meanwhile . . . mabey put up a sign on your counter that says.... (in some real frilly and sweet typestyle):
'We reserve the right to completely ignore you for several minutes even after your phone conversation is complete'
(and the small print says: For better service, we respond to courtesy)
Mabey add a 'caution' sign at top and a big, smiley face at the bottom for implied sarcasm . . .
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
Old Chinese Proverb:
"He who writes checks or pays in cash answer as many cell phone calls as he need to"
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