Straw Poll - calling mobile numbers

[Vectis]

Possibly belongs in Business but putting it in here because we've not had a good poll for a while :p

Try to put your own business practice aside when answering.

Question.

You're looking to book a professional service for an important event in your life. You're given a business card by a friend or a venue (with no particular recommendation), or you run a web search and arrive at a reasonable looking website.

The only telephone number available is a mobile (07xxx xxxxxx).

Are you...?

[Danno13]

The two situations are different.. if given the card by a friend then provided they're a trustworthy friend I wouldn't be put off at all. However if I'd found the website and didn't know them from Adam it would definitley ring alarm bells.

[Jiggles]

Wouldn't bother me as the cost of the call would be cheaper to me. :D Plus its more like a direct line to them.

[Sapphire Disco]

I am always suspicious of company's that don't have land lines or proper addresses.

[Vectis]

The two situations are different.. if given the card by a friend then provided they're a trustworthy friend I wouldn't be put off at all. However if I'd found the website and didn't know them from Adam it would definitley ring alarm bells.

Fair point; modified the question slightly to make less ambiguous. Too early on in the poll to affect the outcome.

[rob1963]

For me, there are two problems with businesses which only advertise a mobile phone number.

Firstly, it costs a fortune to call them, compared to about 2p a minute to call a landline.

Secondly, I feel (rightly or wrongly) that a business which only gives a mobile number is more likely to be a here today & gone tomorrow business, and is also likely to be less professional in the way it conducts its business...as if they're trying to hide something.

[Starlight]

Fair point; modified the question slightly to make less ambiguous. Too early on in the poll to affect the outcome.

I'd be reluctant to contact someone on their mobile phone. I always try finding companies with 0800 numbers first and when I use Google I always type in what I'm looking for followed by an "0800" so will type something like "Mobile disco in Oxfordshire 0800".

Best wishes,

Neil.

[Shaun]

Secondly, I feel (rightly or wrongly) that a business which only gives a mobile number is more likely to be a here today & gone tomorrow business

The cost of the call to a mobile doesn't bother me, but for the reason above I'd never hire someone who only provided a mobile telephone number.

Nothing against those that do, I've no problem with it. They wouldn't get my business though. I'd disregard and move onto the next. :o

[Danno13]

I'd be reluctant to contact someone on their mobile phone. I always try finding companies with 0800 numbers first and when I use Google I always type in what I'm looking for followed by an 0800 number.

That's good news, try a google search for "disco 0800" :D

[Dynamic Entertainment]

I would be less likely for the same reasons as Rob. Thats why, i made sure i had my address too (rightly or wrongly) when i just had a mobile.

[ppentertainments]

I must admit it is not something I am fussed about. Before taking on any business services I would ensure I knew the address beforehand.

If I am given details of home phone and mobile I would be more inclined to actually phone the mobile as there is greater chance of getting an answer.

[Starlight]

That's good news, try a google search for "disco 0800" :D

Hehe :Laugh: :DJ: :Laugh:

Works a treat everytime calling an 0800 number lol

Best wishes,

Neil.

[Twinspin]

The cost of a mobile call would be bothering me because it depends who supplies your landline. Ours in Hull is not BT its Kingston Communications (Kcom) and they are expensive as far a mobile calls go.

So really if im contacing someone id sooner call someone on a landline. Personally. I will only call a mobile phone if its urgent.

Plus calling another dj on a mobile for a booking on a mobile the dj could be anywhere and might not have proper documents on him to take the booking. A mobile phone yes you can contact the person directly but contacting the person at home seems the best idea i think personally because it may be quieter and the dj might have the right stationery with him to take the booking or even be at or near a computer or whatever method they use a take a booking.

[DJ INDIE]

The cost of the call to a mobile doesn't bother me, but for the reason above I'd never hire someone who only provided a mobile telephone number.

Nothing against those that do, I've no problem with it. They wouldn't get my business though. I'd disregard and move onto the next. :o

i'm the same. somehow it just puts a doubt in your mind. mind you, i think 95% of my clients who do ring contact my mobile rather than landline for some reason.

[CRAZY K]

For me, there are two problems with businesses which only advertise a mobile phone number.

Firstly, it costs a fortune to call them, compared to about 2p a minute to call a landline.

Secondly, I feel (rightly or wrongly) that a business which only gives a mobile number is more likely to be a here today & gone tomorrow business, and is also likely to be less professional in the way it conducts its business...as if they're trying to hide something.

Totally agree.

Depends on what image you wish to give.

If you wish to be PROFESSIONAL a mobile contact only is a non starter.

Which proper Professional ( as in Solicitor, Accountant, Dentist etc) do you know that has a mobile.

Thats mainly because they are based in permanent premises.

Entertainers WORK away from their premises but thats only a few hours in the evening--the rest of the time you would expect them to be around taking bookings.

Just have a good answerphone on your land line.

Good idea for me---I wont be in the Office today--im having a meet with Excalibur and Justin doing some errr deals in car park in Mansfield.:D :D :D

Another interesting thread would be--how many gigs do you secure from people who ask for a call to mobiles--in my case about 1 in 100:eek:

We dont bother anymore.

CRAZY K

[Tony Scott]

PIKEY!....nuff said :D

....ok I'll give a little more reasoning, I believe that mobiles, together with the internet, are one of the most important pieces of tehnology to happen in recent history and give greater access to everything BUT...I still wouldn't trust a mobile only organisation.

A landline ties the outfit to fixed address and that at least gives me somewhere to visit if I need reassurance...:)

[CRAZY K]

I must admit it is not something I am fussed about. Before taking on any business services I would ensure I knew the address beforehand.

If I am given details of home phone and mobile I would be more inclined to actually phone the mobile as there is greater chance of getting an answer.

Not here==mobile is off when im at home.;) Which is most of the time unless the sun is shining in the summer.

No point--most calls are people trying to sell me services I dont want or need .:eek:

CRAZY K

[womble]

Not here==mobile is off when im at home.;) Which is most of the time unless the sun is shining in the summer.

No point--most calls are people trying to sell me services I dont want or need .:eek:

CRAZY K

My mobile's never off unless I'm asleep! Since I reattached a handset to the landline the only landline calls I have had have been sales calls.

I would call a landline or a mobile (no preference) before I call an 0800 number. I deal with a company in Rotherham quite a bit who whenever they send me a letter or leave me a message they quote an 0800 number thinking they're doing me a favour, luckily I now know the landline equivalent to get hold of them now.

[rob1963]

I've just remembered a third reason why I don't like calling mobiles...their unreliability.

I don't know how many times I've not been able to hear the person on the other end properly, or in some cases the call has just got cut off.

Give me a landline to landline call any day!

[Excalibur]

For me, there are two problems with businesses which only advertise a mobile phone number.

Firstly, it costs a fortune to call them, compared to about 2p a minute to call a landline.

Secondly, I feel (rightly or wrongly) that a business which only gives a mobile number is more likely to be a here today & gone tomorrow business, and is also likely to be less professional in the way it conducts its business...as if they're trying to hide something.
I strongly disagree with that Rob, but more from a point of view of the Day Job. We hate 0800 numbers! Reason? They're not an inclusive call on most call packages from your mobile. :bang: I'd rather call a landline, mobile, or National call, as they are included. ;)


PIKEY!....nuff said :D

....ok I'll give a little more reasoning, I believe that mobiles, together with the internet, are one of the most important pieces of tehnology to happen in recent history and give greater access to everything BUT...I still wouldn't trust a mobile only organisation.

A landline ties the outfit to fixed address and that at least gives me somewhere to visit if I need reassurance...:)
Agreed.


My mobile's never off unless I'm asleep! Since I reattached a handset to the landline the only landline calls I have had have been sales calls.

I would call a landline or a mobile (no preference) before I call an 0800 number. I deal with a company in Rotherham quite a bit who whenever they send me a letter or leave me a message they quote an 0800 number thinking they're doing me a favour, luckily I now know the landline equivalent to get hold of them now.

Agreed. See above. Mobile only gives the impression of being dodgy. For discos 0800 looks good, but has drawbacks. Landline plus mobile is least worst in my opinion.

[Marc J]

In that case surely the thing to do is cover all bases: -

List a mobile number - for people on inclusive minutes to call you
List a geographic landline number - to reassure those who don't call "mobile only" operators
List an 0800 number - for pikeys

:D

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I am always suspicious of company's that don't have land lines or proper addresses.

Me too.




Give me a landline to landline call any day!

Agreed.

Just out of interest, those who list their mobile numbers - at what time do you stop taking calls?

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Me too.



Agreed.

Just out of interest, those who list their mobile numbers - at what time do you stop taking calls?

I dont stop. Most people, with 9-5 jobs look for discos in tghe evening so why stop taking calls :)

[Excalibur]

Just out of interest, those who list their mobile numbers - at what time do you stop taking calls?

Usually when I go to sleep.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I dont stop. Most people, with 9-5 jobs look for discos in tghe evening so why stop taking calls :)

Maybe because I have been in the office all day and have a life and family?

[Dynamic Entertainment]

Maybe because I have been in the office all day and have a life and family?

As have I, but they understand that the odd (usually less than 10 minutes initially) call may well yeild a booking. :) I found by trial and error that its best to leave the mobile on. I originally switched it off at 6pm, with a view that "they can leave a message and ill call them the next day", only to find that when i called the next day, they had found someone the night before.

I do switch the mobile off if we are doing something as a family though. Im im just lagging in the house then its on :)

[Vectis]

only to find that when i called the next day, they had found someone the night before.


I used to fall into this trap but it soon became apparent that someone doing the ring-around wasn't looking for my specific expertise rather a generic disco, in which case the chances of me landing (or actually especially wanting) the gig were slim.

Nowadays the mobile and the live chat go off sometime between 6pm and 9pm depending what I'm up to.

Confirmed customers with complex events have their numbers programmed into my phone and are welcome to call me out of hours and probably get an answer, or at least a call back asap.

Unknown or unprogrammed numbers will get voicemail outside "office hours".

Since I realised this and changed from my 24x7 policy I've not noticed a drop off in business :)

[Dynamic Entertainment]

I see where your coming from Martin, and would tend to agree. However there is the odd occasion that sticks out. Recently i had one such phone call (obviously a yellow page, how much for....) and gave them the pitch (for a wedding) and it was one of those where you can tell the booking aint gonna be yours. Usually with these i end it fairly early on and direct them to have a look at my website if they want for pictures and that. Usually its left at that and i never hear anything back.

This one occasion, i got a call back saying thay they would like to book me for their wedding....and was i free for a short notice engagement party which is in a couple of weeks.

The initial call came in at about 8.30pm :)

[CRAZY K]

Me too.



Agreed.

Just out of interest, those who list their mobile numbers - at what time do you stop taking calls?

When I get back home---switch it off.

Reason is virtually ALL the calls are from people trying to sell mobile phone plans or some other product of no use to me.

I have a perfectly good landline so why bother?

All calls are normally made firstly to the landline--that has an answering machine which is switched on after going to bed or if out of course.

Most calls at stupid times like 7.30am in the morning and 11.30pm at night are disorganised ignorant wasters---in my experience.

And we NEVER get a booking from them.

We mainly let the answerphone pick up those calls.

CRAZY K

[Vectis]

So... poll's not closed yet but it looks like if these stats were indicative of Joe Public at large then companies only advertising a mobile number stand to at least DOUBLE their enquiry rate by adding a monitored landline or a non-geo number to their arsenal.

That's pretty much what I thought would be the consensus :o

[rob1963]

So... poll's not closed yet but it looks like if these stats were indicative of Joe Public at large then companies only advertising a mobile number stand to at least DOUBLE their enquiry rate by adding a monitored landline or a non-geo number to their arsenal.

That's pretty much what I thought would be the consensus :o

Indeed.

Virtually two thirds of people would be less likely to call a company which only had a mobile number.

I'd say that's pretty conclusive!

[ppentertainments]

To throw another angle in - Is a 0800 / 0845 number preferable to a landline ??

[rob1963]

To throw another angle in - Is a 0800 / 0845 number preferable to a landline ??

I feel another poll coming on!

I think an 0800 number is on a par with a landline, because on the plus side most people know 0800 calls are free, but a slight disadvantage is that being non-geographic you can't tell where the business is.

However, I certainly wouldn't say an 0845 number is prefereable to a landline, as I don't think many people will know what it costs. I must admit I'm not 100% sure.

[ppentertainments]

I feel another poll coming on!



Go for it Rob :D .

[Jiggles]

Just go with a £1.50 per min 09 number :sj: :D

[rob1963]

Go for it Rob :D .

You suggested it, so I think you should do the honours!

:D

[womble]

To throw another angle in - Is a 0800 / 0845 number preferable to a landline ??

Personally as I make the majority of my calls from my mobile using minutes included within my plan, I would prefer to call a landline or mobile number as they are included in my plan minutes. 0800 or 0845 numbers are not included in the minutes and cost (even 0800 numbers)


However, I certainly wouldn't say an 0845 number is prefereable to a landline, as I don't think many people will know what it costs. I must admit I'm not 100% sure.

I knew 0845 is local rate (regardless of where in the country you are calling).

I think the more options on offer the better. I may eventually increase the options on my contact page to include mobile number, landline number, 0800 number and skype details.

[rob1963]

I see from the poll that one person would be MORE likely to phone a company that only listed a mobile number.

They were clearly on the sauce just before doing the poll!


I knew 0845 is local rate (regardless of where in the country you are calling).

I THOUGHT that was the case, but I wasn't 100% sure.

[soundscapes]

The cost of a mobile call would be bothering me because it depends who supplies your landline. Ours in Hull is not BT its Kingston Communications (Kcom) and they are expensive as far a mobile calls go.

So really if im contacing someone id sooner call someone on a landline. Personally. I will only call a mobile phone if its urgent.

Plus calling another dj on a mobile for a booking on a mobile the dj could be anywhere and might not have proper documents on him to take the booking. A mobile phone yes you can contact the person directly but contacting the person at home seems the best idea i think personally because it may be quieter and the dj might have the right stationery with him to take the booking or even be at or near a computer or whatever method they use a take a booking.

its a wonder you get any bookings as your phone doesnt accept calls from ex-directory numbers !!!