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How important is a phone number?

How important is a phone number?

  • Total voters
    53
Charis

Charis

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Was reading some posts on the BOI about a bad transaction and the seller didn't have a phone number available and many people commented on how shady that fact was. That got me wondering how people feel about being able to call someone they want to do business with, please vote in the poll and feel free to expand on your views in replies.


Personally, I hate phone conversations of nearly any kind and will go out of my way to avoid them. Especially with either buying or selling something, I vastly prefer having any of the details of the deal in writing, either IM, email or texts. Both to have proof of what was agreed to, should there be a misunderstanding and because my short term memory is pretty much non-existent and I like to be able to go back and reread conversations whenever, to refresh my memory and be sure I am not forgetting anything.
 
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I echo your sentiments with respect to keeping a record. That is my primary reason for preferring emails for communication as both a buyer and a seller. Also, I have a very...unusual...sleep "schedule", so I might find time to respond via email at 3:45 am like when I started typing this post. I am not often available for calls, whether due to meetings, work, activities, or for other reasons.

While not always the case, I think there is a generational component to this. Most of the folks who feel more comfortable communicating with me via the phone have lived more years than I have. Most of the folks who feel more comfortable communicating with me via email are around my age or younger. The folks much younger than I am seem to prefer texts to other forms of communication.

Folks who grew up with a more personal medium likely prefer that. Folks who grew up with a more impersonal medium likely prefer that. I will sometimes take calls, which I dislike, for the sake of the customer's/vendor's comfort. I often then go write up a quick transcript and send it "for confirmation" via email so I have a record that gets acknowledged. This consideration for the other's preference should be acknowledged. Buyers and sellers are all over the US (and for those who import and export or are dealing with other nations for their places of business, the world). Calls at certain hours are rude. Emails at any hour never are by virtue of the hour they are sent. Phone calls do not address a 24hr world. Emails do.

Some folks work nights. Some folks work days. Some folks have a midday nap. Some bizarre people like myself just postpone sleep (sometimes for days) until it becomes convenient or critical. Some folks have family matters to pay undivided attention to during "normal" waking hours. Emails are endlessly patient with every one of these types of people.

I know some folks want the phone calls in order to feel secure and believe those who avoid them are shady. On the other side, it may seem shady to others to avoid having a record of the various communications. I value the time of others. I would hope that they could be inclined to consider the value of mine.
 
I hate phones.
Occasionally, I will concede to a customer's request for a phone conversation. I try to make the best of it; but rest assured, I am never happy about being on the phone for extended periods while somebody questions me, then rambles on about their likes/dislikes/reptile keeping experiences/goals (dreams)/personal life. I really don't see any reason for a phone call about an animal for sale to extend beyond 10-15 minutes (and even that is pushing it).
If a seller insists on a phone call, he might as well plan on losing my business - I'm generally not THAT interested.

After the sale? Email only...or don't complain that you haven't received a response. I don't answer my phone, and I check messages once every month or two.

Texts? Not likely - I don't give out my cell number to many people. I will rarely do so if I am meeting somebody at a show...but, if they text me after that, I politely ask that they restrict contact to emails. My cell phone is for MY convenience, not anybody else's. (How's that for grumpy old man attitude, lol)
 
Charis said:
I vastly prefer having any of the details of the deal in writing
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This is always a good idea, in my opinion.

Parties may wish to exchange phone numbers in certain situations such as during the shipping process of a particularly large/valuable order 'just in case', but even then if both parties are responsive to emails, more may not be necessary.

There might be a difference between having a phone number and using it though. Unless I personally knew the vendor, I would be hesitant doing business with someone if I had neither a valid address or phone number but only an email address.
 
That's one benefit of dealing with our GGC holders - all contact information is right there. (That's why I laugh when people post my address or phone number in a thread, like they did some great investigative work & know where I am...I have the link to that information in my signature)
 
I should add that I do need/provide a phone number for shipment through FedEx, but I will not use it for contact unless there are exceptional circumstances afoot that would call for it, like a package being left outside during a moment of especially hot weather at the recipient's place.
 
Just curious (as a bit of a Luddite) how do you text if you don't have a phone number? For several years I did not include a phone number, only an e-mail on my business cards. The increase in quality and quantity of contacts once I added the number was remarkable. Curious -those who "hate" phone conversations, what are your ages?
 
Herps Alive! said:
Just curious (as a bit of a Luddite) how do you text if you don't have a phone number? For several years I did not include a phone number, only an e-mail on my business cards. The increase in quality and quantity of contacts once I added the number was remarkable. Curious -those who "hate" phone conversations, what are your ages?
Click to expand...

I do not typically text without a phone number, but one can send a text via email. I would have to look up how, as I have only done it once before when my cellular phone at the time was damaged.

I am nearly 33. Most of the folks who really push for phone calls in my experience are in their late 40s and beyond, although I have plenty of folks who correspond via text who range from the late teens into their 60s. Most of the 20-somethings go for texts first and emails second. Most of the 30-somethings and a good chunk of the 40-somethings go for emails first and texts second. Once the 40-somethings near 50-somethings, I get a lot more folks who want phone calls, although it is not really high in volume since my ads specify email for contact and even folks who like phone calls generally go along with that. Also, since most of my photos of my available animals are on my PC, the PC becomes a central factor regardless.
 
We are just trying to get a little hobby level business started, my husband and I and I'm uncomfortable with having my phone number listed on my online business page and was wondering if not having it on there would be a red flag to potential buyers. Generally though, at some point in setting up a deal, either as the buyer or as the seller, I will give out my number 'just in case' and have even had one buyer and one seller call me, which is fine, even though I don't like talking on the phone. But most people text me instead of call, if they don't email me.

I don't really mind giving out my number to someone I'm in the middle of a deal with, I just don't like having my number online, where anyone can come across it. The number is on our business cards though.

I am 27 and have never liked talking on the phone, even when texting wasn't around. We do not have a land line and both my husband and I just use our smart phones.
 
Is there some manner of inexpensive prepaid or pay-as-you-go option? I am ignorant of how those work, but maybe you could have some cheap dedicated phone and number you could list on the website that you would only have to pay more for as the talk time is exhausted, assuming you wanted to list a number for the sake of some customers.
 
Herps Alive! said:
Curious -those who "hate" phone conversations, what are your ages?
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49---But I've avoided business conversations via phone since email came about. Not sure when that was, but I was considerably younger, and phone calls were the way people communicated. Always hated them. Now, talking face to face to a potential customer at a show would be my first choice.

Noelle
 
These days many cell plans allow yo to add a line for $10 a month. There are "shared" minutes so you have to watch for that, but to be able to answer that phone "XYZ Reptiles, may help you?" instead of "Hello, who's this?" adds crediblity and professionalism in my opinion.
By the way, I have a flip phone and it takes me way too long to text. So if you want a long answer on a problem, my text will probably just say "call me." :)
 
I wouldn't say that I "hate" phone calls, but my preferred method of communication is definitely email. I type fast, I can orgainize my thoughts, and I can pause and make sure I have everything included that I want to ask (or include in a response). I don't like texts. I hate texting...I make too many typos on those stupid little phone keys, and there's just something about getting that notification of an incoming text that makes is seem urgent, like I need to respond right then. My responses to texts will be short, lacking capitalization, and often using incomplete sentences, as I try to get it over with as soon as possible. As for age, I'm 50-something. If you want immediate back-and-forth communication, a phone call is the way to go with me. But I really prefer email.

Dawn Carrie, Texas
 
I can respect those who think that not putting a phone number in an ad can be "shady". However, in my honest opinion, there way too many people with too much time on their hands. I'd like to avoid text messages and phone calls at all hours of the night from inconsiderate people. And no, I can't turn my phone off. We no longer have a land line and I have elderly relatives that may need me :)
SO, there's my 2 cents =P
 
I'm 23, and I really dont care which method I use, if the other party feels more comfortable calling, then I am ok with that. I do however mainly use email and texts since I can do both from work. I even do Facebook Messenger if the buyer/seller prefers that.
So to sum it up, any form of communication is fine with me :thumbsup:
Except for twitter.... I refuse to do the twitter....
 
KCGSD82 said:
I'd like to avoid text messages and phone calls at all hours of the night from inconsiderate people.
Click to expand...
I'm a firm believer in civilized calling hours; and I won't call before or after those hours unless I am specifically requested to do so (and I'm usually uncomfortable with it, even then). Of course, my schedule leaves me unavailable for calls through much of the typical business day - which is part of my aversion to phones. It's only been the last 3.5 years that I haven't checked messages at least semi-regularly...and that's mostly because I don't use the room that hides the answering machine.
 
I personally would NOT do business with someone without a phone number.. about the only way in this day and age to really know for sure, documented of a physical address or heck info on a billing address if stuff goes bad.. of course pre paied phones screw this up :(

Phone calls are just that, to talk in person, know there is a physical person.. as it is not "recorded" Don't do anything or agree to anything not in writing..

I dont know If I would be ok with a seller who feels talking is a waste.. umm.. not a appliance here.. but a living animal.. not saying it is true, but if the seller does not want to spend a little time on some on the phone conversations... not sure about it in general..

Texting.. well some of us DONT spend a fortune on our phones.. pay for each text.. yeh seems odd, but shoot me my cell phone (my primary phone) cost is only about $19 a month.. sorry dont buy into the upgrade pay more crap.. same with some of the other options like web etc etc.. so.. expect me to pay to just contact you to ask "IF" you have what I am looking for?? yeh no.. I pass.. dont like it deal with it.. but if text is the only way NO for me..
 
I require a phone number of buyers and sellers. For one, it is needed by FedEx when shipping. I do prefer to do business details by email for record keeping, but if there is a question, a phone call sometimes works better to hammer out details. That is then followed up with an email to confirm details and as a record. Texting works equally well, but even then, I try to confirm everything by email, because I find it easier to store emails for my records.
 
While I prefer email as a means of communication, I will not do business with anyone who doesn't provide a phone number. Call it personal preference or paranoia but if something goes wrong with the transaction I want to have the ability to pick up a phone and speak to them directly without hovering over a refreshing inbox. For that same reason I provide my phone with the understanding it is for unusual circumstances only and so far have had no problems with unreasonable calls.
 
Pay as you go phones are cheap and easily obtained if you don't want to give your home phone number to customers. Personally I've been fine with just using texts and emails to communicate, though with the number of minors getting into buying and selling - and the inability to enforce a contract with a minor - at least one phone call between the two parties might be useful to help determine if you're buying from/selling to an adult or a kid.

Also, anyone worried about getting into a he said/she said because phone calls aren't tracked can follow up with an email stating "Based on our phone call of MM/DD/YY here is my understanding of where we stand..."
 
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