Phone calls

[qmr55]

Why do people have such an issue picking up the phone and calling someone?

15 emails back and forth to get what out of them what could have been answered in a 30 second phone call....

 

[rdm01]

Perhaps you, similarly, could have called the other party once you saw the conversation descending into an email session?

 

[truckgraphics]

Texts !!!! Arg.

E-mails are fine. Customers who text, but won't e-mail and are unavailable by phone drive me crazy !

 

[qmr55]

Perhaps you, similarly, could have called the other party once you saw the conversation descending into an email session?

Oh trust me I tried, wouldn't pick up...

 

[Rick]

I like phone calls but they are always followed up with an email to document the conversation. That way when the clients idea goes bad, that can't say they never said it... of course it also shows when I screwed up too but I try really hard not to.

 

[rdm01]

Oh trust me I tried, wouldn't pick up...

Ahh. Yes, very annoying.

Also @Rick, I too have learned the importance of the follow up email. It's amazing how you can be on the same page as someone on the phone, but then later find totally different expectations. Without that follow up email to point at later on it turns into he said/she said really quick.

 

[mark galoob]

most of the time i get money up front...so if customer dont want to talk...bummer for them...

i refuse to do business via txt. its way too time consuming.

email comms are fine and provide a nice comm trail for screw ups.

 

[Marlene]

I would rather do e-mails as I have a written transcript of what we talked about. it has come in handy many times over the years. also with an e-mail it may feel like going back and forth but it is much faster as it is to the point, no chit chat. another advantage is you have the person's attention as they are answering you when it is a good time for time, not just when you happened to call. I can think of more reasons why people do business by e-mail than I can by phone

 

[CanuckSigns]

The worst are the people who only answer 1 question per email. I have a client like this who I now have to send 3-4 emails right after each other with one question in each or else he will just answer the first question.

 

[Marlene]

The worst are the people who only answer 1 question per email. I have a client like this who I now have to send 3-4 emails right after each other with one question in each or else he will just answer the first question.

I got sick of that too so now I ask each question with a bullet in front of it and leave a good sized space under for their answer. it works as it is clear that an answer is required for each question to move on to the next

 

[Gino]

You people are talking about the very thing which happens right here. COMMUNICATIONS. Ever notice how people can't follow directions in this place ?? You're all describing yourselves, just like your customers.

Most people today read and acknowledge only that which they want. Has nothing to do with how long it is, but how much one can retain. It has a lot to do with emotions. Get someone worked up about a layout or some off the wall question..... and the whole thing stagnate and nothing gets done.

Then, let's copy this person in...... and Suzy over there needs to see it. Now we have more confused people in an already out of control conversation.

I try to use e-mails for confirmation, sending proofs and receiving pertinent information. It's not intended for normal conversation. Too much gets lost.

 

[gabagoo]

Just had the continual email questioning that started 2 weeks ago while doing graphics for a company that was selling them to someone else. I continually sent email after email asking for the pantone colours until I get an answer back that their customer needed all the stuff in 2 days.

Screw you, I printed as they had shown up and sent them out. This morning it seems I am re printing 1/3 of the graphics as the colour did not match their corperate colours, and low and behold they now have a pantone number 302 included in the email... Good for me as I get to charge again and they know it.

 

[signgirl]

I worked at a shop where I sat about 20ft away from the designer and he would send me emails concerning jobs that were due that day. I was in production so wasn't always at my desk. I could still just walk up and smack him and it's been 7 years lol

 

[GaSouthpaw]

Funny, I was just speaking about this with a coworker this afternoon. One of our office staff is notorious for sending message after message after message about things that, as you said, could be cleared up with a 30 second call. It's even more frustrating when this person does that even after being instructed to call the customer/vendor/whoever.

As far as when I do which, it depends on the content and priority- if that makes sense.
Some instances where I just email:
- Questions for coworkers that I don't urgently need answers to.
- PO requests (I even customized a spreadsheet that has complete info so there's no question about what I'm requesting) involving "normal" delivery. If I need something urgent, I still email and follow up with a phone.
- If it's something that I can wait on getting an answer to, I'll email.
- It I'm just following up.
Instances where I call first:
- Questions needing an immediate answer (and, if the person doesn't have an immediate answer, a follow up email gets sent as a reminder).
- Urgent PO requests (again, with the follow up).
- Any instance where it would take longer to type up the email and send it than just dialing.

For all the good of being able to communicate easily, have a record of said communication, etc.- email has ruined (my opinion, anyway) many people's personal ability to communicate.