Grrrr!!!

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Hi all,

One of my enquiries last week (Monday) went along the lines of...

"Hi there, You have been highly recommended to me by *******. I wondered if you were available on 8th November to DJ at a 50th birthday? Could you please let me know your price as soon as possible"

I sent my usual email back as at the time (I'm booked now for something else which came in today luckily), I was booked. I got a reply back which was pretty encouraging saying "Could you provisionally book the date for me and I will get back to you by friday"

Anyway, yesterday I thought I would chase it up so I called and left a voicemail and then emailed saying "Hi *****, I wondered if it would be possible for you to let me know if you want to go ahead with the booking with reference to our telephone conversation last monday. Best regards, Gary"

The reply I got back was exactly this... "Hi Gary, No!"

Now, I thought that was really rude and it made me think that it could have been a competitor etc but I really don't know. If it wasn't...well, some people do not have any etiquette at all do they!!!? The fact that she put an exclamation mark after the 'No' made me feel as if I was bothering her and being a pain in the butt. Of course, there could be loads of reasons for her reply but I don't know, it's just really narked me if I am honest. I'm always polite etc etc...

Just wanted to get that off my chest guys.

[theoloyla]

There you go getting all upset again. Its just an e-mail. Mybe your price upset them which is why they put the ! Unfortunately not everyone is polite. Take a deep breath and count to 10.:)

[rob1963]

Hi all,

One of my enquiries last week (Monday) went along the lines of...

"Hi there, You have been highly recommended to me by *******. I wondered if you were available on 8th November to DJ at a 50th birthday? Could you please let me know your price as soon as possible"

I sent my usual email back as at the time (I'm booked now for something else which came in today luckily), I was booked. I got a reply back which was pretty encouraging saying "Could you provisionally book the date for me and I will get back to you by friday"

Anyway, yesterday I thought I would chase it up so I called and left a voicemail and then emailed saying "Hi *****, I wondered if it would be possible for you to let me know if you want to go ahead with the booking with reference to our telephone conversation last monday. Best regards, Gary"

The reply I got back was exactly this... "Hi Gary, No!"

Now, I thought that was really rude and it made me think that it could have been a competitor etc but I really don't know. If it wasn't...well, some people do not have any etiquette at all do they!!!? The fact that she put an exclamation mark after the 'No' made me feel as if I was bothering her and being a pain in the butt. Of course, there could be loads of reasons for her reply but I don't know, it's just really narked me if I am honest. I'm always polite etc etc...

Just wanted to get that off my chest guys.

Hi Gary,

At least you got a reply.....

.....with email enquiries I get, I answer their questions and give them any information they ask for, and yet I never hear from about 80% of them again!

I don't bother chasing them up. I think my time could be better spent, as I'm sure they would come back to me if they were interested, without me having to chase them up for an answer.

If I made an enquiry about a disco & decided not to go ahead, I'd have the decency to let them know & give them the reason why.

There is no descipline these days, which is why people are often rude & have no manners.

[wensleydale]

Hi Gary,

At least you got a reply.....

.....with email enquiries I get, I answer their questions and give them any information they ask for, and yet I never hear from about 80% of them again!

I don't bother chasing them up. I think my time could be better spent, as I'm sure they would come back to me if they were interested, without me having to chase them up for an answer.

If I made an enquiry about a disco & decided not to go ahead, I'd have the decency to let them know & give them the reason why.

There is no descipline these days, which is why people are often rude & have no manners.


i would disagree with this rob- its amazing how many people say "oh, i forgot to get back to you" when I chase.


Why not have a standard email you cut and paste and diarise it for a week after you send the email.
It takes 1 min and if it gets an extra booking each year surely its worth it?

[Excalibur]

There you go getting all upset again. Its just an e-mail. Mybe your price upset them which is why they put the ! Unfortunately not everyone is polite. Take a deep breath and count to 10.:)

Sorry to disagree Theo, but an important maxim comes to mind.

" Politeness costs nothing". ;)
Sadly, many folk nowadays appear ignorant of it. ( Or just plain ignorant! ;)
:( ) In my opinion there is no excuse for bad manners by email, phone, letter or in person.

[rob1963]

i would disagree with this rob- its amazing how many people say "oh, i forgot to get back to you" when I chase.

Why not have a standard email you cut and paste and diarise it for a week after you send the email.
It takes 1 min and if it gets an extra booking each year surely its worth it?

Hi Rich,

That's very interesting.

In that case, maybe I'll take your advice & see if it works.

I wouldn't even need to do a diary note, as I keep all my enquiry replies in my sent mail folder for a month.

Thanks for the advice.


" Politeness costs nothing". ;)


I couldn't agree more, you ugly git.

[wensleydale]

Hi Rich,

That's very interesting.

In that case, maybe I'll take your advice & see if it works.

I wouldn't even need to do a diary note, as I keep all my enquiry replies in my sent mail folder for a month.

Thanks for the advice.



I couldn't agree more, you ugly git.
no problem rob- i'll take 5% of every additional booking you get and we will both be happy.

seriously though if you get the tone of the email right- checking if you have any further questions rather than hard sell it can actually come across as great customer service.
try and get them to have no reason not to book rather than think of reasons to book.

[rob1963]

no problem rob- i'll take 5% of every additional booking you get and we will both be happy.

Rich...it looks like we have a deal!

[theoloyla]

Sorry to disagree Theo, but an important maxim comes to mind.

" Politeness costs nothing". ;)
Sadly, many folk nowadays appear ignorant of it. ( Or just plain ignorant! ;)
:( ) In my opinion there is no excuse for bad manners by email, phone, letter or in person.

I entirely agree but I try not to let rude people get to me or upset me.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Theo, I have to say that I don't like your reply mate. I am not getting "all upset" again.

The reason I followed it up was as already said, some email enquiries get forgotten about. I am on my laptop for around 8-10 hours a day. I flag enquiries and also have a spreadsheet for email and phone enquiries which I update regularly with notes to chase up etc... On more than one occasion I have got back to someone and they have apologised and said "Oh, sorry I forgot all about you!".. Not everyone has the time or inclination to be online or check their emails as much as I do so it is easily done isn't it.

As I said, I am always polite. Theo, I even said to the 'lady' that I was prepared to add a discount for her because she mentioned that I had been recommended. I actually remembered the person whose party that I did last year who recommended me and I guess that this person was there too? I just think it's wierd that someone has recommended me because they thought I was good. This 'lady' is obviously looking for a good DJ so she contacts me, I give her a discounted price and she provisonally books and then sends me an email which I considered to be rude (although straight to the point to be fair). So...what she has done in reality is taken a chance on a cheaper option when she could have had someone that came recommended... I ASSUME?

[wensleydale]

Theo, I have to say that I don't like your reply mate. I am not getting "all upset" again.

The reason I followed it up was as already said, some email enquiries get forgotten about. I am on my laptop for around 8-10 hours a day. I flag enquiries and also have a spreadsheet for email and phone enquiries which I update regularly with notes to chase up etc... On more than one occasion I have got back to someone and they have apologised and said "Oh, sorry I forgot all about you!".. Not everyone has the time or inclination to be online or check their emails as much as I do so it is easily done isn't it.

As I said, I am always polite. Theo, I even said to the 'lady' that I was prepared to add a discount for her because she mentioned that I had been recommended. I actually remembered the person whose party that I did last year who recommended me and I guess that this person was there too? I just think it's wierd that someone has recommended me because they thought I was good. This 'lady' is obviously looking for a good DJ so she contacts me, I give her a discounted price and she provisonally books and then sends me an email which I considered to be rude (although straight to the point to be fair). So...what she has done in reality is taken a chance on a cheaper option when she could have had someone that came recommended... I ASSUME?


you're getting all upset again garry.......;)

[Penfold42]

" Politeness costs nothing". ;)


I couldn't agree more, you ugly git.

...and the truth hurts.....:D :D :D :D

[Excalibur]

I couldn't agree more, you ugly git.


...and the truth hurts.....:D :D :D :D

Tony, please show me where I have argued that I'm NOT an ugly git!. :confused: :D :D

[theoloyla]

But youre not an ugly git. A fine looking figure of a man! I dont ever remember any saying Mr Pastry was ugly.:D

[CRAZY K]

you're getting all upset again garry.......;)

If I had been PROVISIONALLY BOOKED I would be annoyed as well if people didnt have the decency to at least say---sorry its not going ahead.

Your doing them a favour holding the date for peace of mind---their peace of mind.

We had one last week---the client cancelled a provisional booking and emailed back with an apology --thats fine by me.

We dont follow up quotes---usually too busy dishing out new ones:D

CRAZY K

[Excalibur]

But youre not an ugly git. A fine looking figure of a man! I dont ever remember any saying Mr Pastry was ugly.:D

Alas the march of time! :( Not long ago I was compared to Tom Selleck ( Magnum. Same moustache. ;) )
Many years ago, there's a picture of David Cassidy on an album sleeve ( Cherish, I think) which bears an uncanny resemblance to me. :D Now it's Mr Pastry! :eek: :( :(

[theoloyla]

Years ago people thought I looked like George Best, Bryan Ferry or Donald Sutherland. Now its George Clooney!!!!!:) :p

[Vectis]

Your doing them a favour holding the date for peace of mind---their peace of mind.

I don't give out provisional bookings - I give out first refusals with a 7 day cap. If another enquiry comes in for the same date, I'll call the original enquirer and ask them to commit there and then otherwise I'll offer the date to the second enquirer.

On a very few occasions I've "chased" ;) borderline-sounding enquirers in this way and secured the booking :D

I always chase up dead email enquiries after a week (by phone if I have the number) "just in case you didn't receive the original reply" and this too has occasionally paid off.

So definitely worth trying even if only for the occasional win. Doesn't take much time or effort.

[CRAZY K]

I don't give out provisional bookings - I give out first refusals with a 7 day cap. If another enquiry comes in for the same date, I'll call the original enquirer and ask them to commit there and then otherwise I'll offer the date to the second enquirer.

On a very few occasions I've "chased" ;) borderline-sounding enquirers in this way and secured the booking :D

I always chase up dead email enquiries after a week (by phone if I have the number) "just in case you didn't receive the original reply" and this too has occasionally paid off.

So definitely worth trying even if only for the occasional win. Doesn't take much time or effort.

We certainly contact provisional bookings to give FIRST REFUSAL which is a businesslike way of dealing with things as you say.

We also wont give more than 7 days before cancelling a provisional booking, we confirm if that has happened.

CRAZY K

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Thank you Crazy! Someone that actually read the words PROVISIONALLY BOOKED. As I said, I am not upset (and it's Gary with just the one 'r' please :) ), I was just a bit peeved that she asked me to provisionally book it in and then sent an email reply with "No!".

Blimey!

[theoloyla]

People change their minds all the time.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Yes, very true...it's life BUT you don't seem to be getting the idea of why I would be Grrr (or upset as you say)...

Is it just water off a ducks back with you Theo when stuff like this happens? I can't believe that you would simply be "Oh well nevermind" without the slightest tinge of being narked at the fact you got a reply like I did? Maybe you would...fair enough.

[Cheesey 1975]

We certainly contact provisional bookings to give FIRST REFUSAL which is a businesslike way of dealing with things as you say.

We also wont give more than 7 days before cancelling a provisional booking, we confirm if that has happened.

CRAZY K

I agree as well with the above

[theoloyla]

Yes, very true...it's life BUT you don't seem to be getting the idea of why I would be Grrr (or upset as you say)...

Is it just water off a ducks back with you Theo when stuff like this happens? I can't believe that you would simply be "Oh well nevermind" without the slightest tinge of being narked at the fact you got a reply like I did? Maybe you would...fair enough.
Yes. Dont stress out. You'll put yourself in an early grave. You know you could and would do a good job but the world is full of morons and there is no point having an ulcer or heart attack over it.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Exactly Cheesy.

I was lucky in the fact that as soon as I received the email, I wrote the booking off and thought to myself that I would have the night off but then today someone calls up, asks a lot of questions, is polite and books me over the phone, emails exchanged, booking forms in the post already and all done and dusted.

I'll be honest though. The 'Lady' that provisionally booked would have been contacted earlier if I'd had an enquiry for the same date during the time between her calling me and me contacting her. My guess is that she wasn't going to get back to me at all and only did because I contacted her. I could have turned down a definite booking or passed it on to someone else if I'd have waited for her to get back to me. I think sometimes you have to chase these things up and for both reasons...1. In case they have forgotten all about you, and 2. Just to know where you stand. People say "We'll let you know" or "I'll get back to you" but it doesn't always happen. It is also rare that someone says that they want to provisionally book and then not get back to you at all.

EDIT - In reply to Theo. Are you a wind up merchant mate? Blimey!!!
I had an ulcer when I was 20 mate because of stress etc...all gone now and believe it or not, despite my posts and what you may think..I AM totally chilled and stress free these days...

[Excalibur]

Yes, very true...it's life BUT you don't seem to be getting the idea of why I would be Grrr (or upset as you say)...

Is it just water off a ducks back with you Theo when stuff like this happens? I can't believe that you would simply be "Oh well nevermind" without the slightest tinge of being narked at the fact you got a reply like I did? Maybe you would...fair enough.


Yes. Dont stress out. You'll put yourself in an early grave. You know you could and would do a good job but the world is full of morons and there is no point having an ulcer or heart attack over it.

Theo, it would upset me, for the reasons I've posted earlier. In the scheme of things it's no big deal, but it would still annoy me immensely. I'm totally with Gary on this one.

[theoloyla]

Getting stressed and annoyed makes you look old!:) :D :p

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Getting stressed and annoyed makes you look old!:) :D :p

You've had a fair bit of stress then in your life Theo? :D :sofa:

[theoloyla]

You've had a fair bit of stress then in your life Theo? :D :sofa:

You are not wrong there!:) Mind you at least I wasnt born ugly like you.:p

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

You are not wrong there!:) Mind you at least I wasnt born ugly like you.:p

:lol:

Git.

[Excalibur]

It'll be Handbags at dawn soon! :eek: Good job I'm past vanity about my rugged features. :D

[Shakermaker Promotions]

What if you are both old and ugly? Might as well get my P45 then haha.

[nigelwright7557]

Sorry to disagree Theo, but an important maxim comes to mind.

" Politeness costs nothing". ;)
Sadly, many folk nowadays appear ignorant of it. ( Or just plain ignorant! ;)
:( ) In my opinion there is no excuse for bad manners by email, phone, letter or in person.

Why should the potential customer be nice ?

Its the DJ who wants the work !

The customer can choose between numerous discos to work for them.

At one of my previous jobs there was a poster on the wall, it said:
THE CUSTOMER IS KING !

[Shakermaker Promotions]

Edited - Because I am getting bored now.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Why should the potential customer be nice ?

Its the DJ who wants the work !

The customer can choose between numerous discos to work for them.



And why should that mean they should be rude?

No logic there at all.

[Shakermaker Promotions]

I wrote a nice reply to Nigel's comment but then thought "What's the point?".
There's no reason to be rude whether you are the customer or not. I am never rude...I'm a customer too and I worked in Customer Services for years dealing with rude people. I was working for a big company back then and getting paid to take the rubbish and verbal abuse that was flung at me but no'one is paid enough to take that kind of rubbish. I am my own boss now and I am not up for taking that kind of stuff again.

So, the customer doesn't have to be nice Nigel? Say you get a booking, go and see the customer and they are rude to you. Would you still do the booking? Would you think "I'll grin and bear it and think of the money"? I most certainly wouldn't. That may be wrong to a few people but I would simply walk and say that they can deal with someone else.

In a way, I am glad I got the email reply that I did. I know it's tough to guage the mood of someone by an email or text comment but something like "No!" tells me that the person wasn't worth dealing with anyway. I never spoke to them on the phone so I have no other clues as to what they were like.

[Excalibur]

Why should the potential customer be nice ?

Its the DJ who wants the work !

The customer can choose between numerous discos to work for them.

At one of my previous jobs there was a poster on the wall, it said:
THE CUSTOMER IS KING !

Common courtesy, Nigel. ( Or nowadays, uncommon ;) ) Nothing gives the customer the right to be abusive, or discourteous. Not even being the paymaster. ;)

[rob1963]

Why should the potential customer be nice ?

Its the DJ who wants the work !



I'm the Dj...but I CERTAINLY don't want the work if the potential customer is rude or obnoxious.

I'm not even CLOSE to being that desperate for work!

[Javlingames]

We all know how people can be, we have all had first hand experiance in a live gig situation.

This is also the trouble with e-mail communication, what is meant one way often comes across another way because there is no expression in an e-mail. I can see why shakermaker is so annoyed because nobody likes to be treated like that but what can we do about it? I get annoyed when I give way to someone in the street and dont get a thank you or kind gesture back, what can I do about it? The very next day I will give way to someone who will say thanks. Im sure we treat people the way we would like to be treated and when that is not recipracated it is annoying to us all.

I agree with Theo also, it really is not worth beating yourself up over it, its annoying but path of the course when your dealing with the public.

Maybe on your advertising material have it say 'disco's for polite people only'