Residental Or Business Telephone ? - Which Do You Use ?

[desperatedan 0]

Just to see peoples opinion with there being so many different deals out there some with broadband some with free calls etc ???

 

Currently Im with Pipex for phone and broadband one price covers the lot and get free calls to local and national numbers - But Pipex have just been sold to Tiscali (Not heard one good thing about them) so maybe I will be looking to change sooner rather than later.

[Paul Smith 0]

I'm just in the process of switching the broadband on my residential line to Sky - for £5 a month up to 10 gig bandwidth and free evening weekend calls or for £10 a month unlimited broadband and free calls even/w'ends.

 

This beats my current provider @ £14.99 for 2 gig bandwidth per month and £20 per extra gig :dan+ju:

 

Just realised here's a service provider who will do a gig for £20 :joe:

[Mattaious 0]

Im with BT and have the home hub with dedicated phone number etc.

Then i use a local service for a 0845 and 0870 numbers which i earn commision from. Id never consider a business line. And the home hub i get free evening and weekend calls, And the phone looks pretty funky,.

 

 

If i was you, Get out why you can, Tiscali are nightmares, I actually took them to court for loss of earnings and i won! Stay clear!

 

Read the reviews about them on the net etc.

 

 

[desperatedan 0]

Yeah I'm aware of the nightmare Tiscali are hence reason for poll.

[spinner 0]

I have 4 lines although most outgoing calls are made on one for which I have a low cost business package.

 

I have a dedicated DJ line which I switched from BT to a cheaper provider, not least because I don't use it for outgoing calls, only incoming.

 

A dedicated line is essential for any business to create the right impression.

[bedfordft 0]

Yeah I'm aware of the nightmare Tiscali are hence reason for poll.

 

Lets hope tiscali dont mess it up im tied to pipex at present and i dont fancy everything going pear shaped, might have yo look at going back to bt!!!

[Tonsk 0]

I have two lines with NTL, sorry Virgin Media....

 

One for home and the other for the Disco so I have a dedicated line...

 

Only 11 quid a month extra - well worth it.

[Jason v G 0]

I've just moved house and had to go from ntl 4 meg to bt upto 8meg (but round here more like 1 meg) broadband packages.

I've gone for the home hub witch includes an extra line so will be using that exclusively for the business.

That way the whole hub package becomes deductable :ads:

[Tonsk 0]

I've recently had to phone a few of the other DJs that I know in the area and it amazes me how many people just say "Hello" when they answer the phone....

 

Seriously, get an extra phoneline or answer your homephone with your company name - It just sounds so much more professional...

[Norfolk DJ 0]

I've recently had to phone a few of the other DJs that I know in the area and it amazes me how many people just say "Hello" when they answer the phone....

 

 

Sorry about that Tony, but I have to check that it's not my mother in law first before I accept the call!

 

Don't see the reason for having a dedicated business phone line. Someone explain the benefits please.

[Revelationroadshow 0]

I've recently had to phone a few of the other DJs that I know in the area and it amazes me how many people just say "Hello" when they answer the phone....

 

Seriously, get an extra phoneline or answer your homephone with your company name - It just sounds so much more professional...

 

And one of them might have been me!

 

There is a problem though which I wonder if other have. We currently have an 0845 number which is diverted to home onto a number with a different ring tone. So when we're at home, it's easy to answer as a business (although my wife really hasn't got the hang of this yet!). However when we're not at home, the 0845 diverts to my personal mobile and the mobile number is also advertised as a contact number.

 

Now this is a personal mobile as well as a business use. How should I answer when it rings? I have no idea from the displayed number if it's a private or business call, so generally I answer with my name. Suggest all you like that I have a second mobile just for the business, but I am really not goint to carry two mobiles out with me or set up yet another divert.

 

I do always call back missed calls on the mobile just in case, so I never miss anyone.

 

What does everyone else do with mobiles?

[Tonsk 0]

And one of them might have been me!

 

Now this is a personal mobile as well as a business use. How should I answer when it rings? I have no idea from the displayed number if it's a private or business call, so generally I answer with my name. Suggest all you like that I have a second mobile just for the business, but I am really not goint to carry two mobiles out with me or set up yet another divert.

 

What does everyone else do with mobiles?

It wasn't you Matt - You a little Robin, but I'll get to that in a minute...

 

Matt - If someone calls my mobile number during the day, I always answer it Good *******, Tony speaking.

 

Just sounds better than "Hello", unless you recognise the number and then you can answer it however you want!!

 

Robin - It wasn't actually referring to you as I don't know which number you advertise or take work on.. Here is a picture though (and remember, these are all only my opinion)

 

You are getting married (don't mention this to your wife!) and you have already spent £10k on the day so far... You've booked the venue and the food/drink and church.

 

Now is the photographers/disco etc turn.... (coz we are never first on the list).

 

You're thinking its gonna cost £300 for a disco and about £800 for photos (for this area, bl00dy photographers) - You call with photographer 1 who answers

 

"Good afternoon, Great Photography Limited how can I help"

 

You have a little chat, he's alright, you think he knows what you want and quotes £850 but you think - I'll try someone else

 

You phone photographer 2 who answers

 

"hello"

 

You have a chat with this person after asking them if they are Fantastic Photography Limited, which they answer yes to. This guy has all the answers, sounds great and is only £650 - But because of the initial "hello" and not company name, is he a little shifty? Just running it part time? Not really a business?

 

These thoughts are now in your head, is it worth the risk or should you go back to number 1 who you now percieve to be a professional, just because they answered with their business name?

 

First impressions, which one is the more professional and trust worthy.....

 

Now change photographers with discos - which, lets face it, from the media painting that we get we already have a hard image to shake off due to the cowboy jeans/t-shirt picture that is painted at every turn by TV and horror stories.

 

For the sake of answering the phone a little differently, you are already painting a better image in someones mind.

 

Again, this is just my opinion, but if I was wanting a plumber, painter etc and someone just answered hello, I would be a little worries over their professionalism, even if they were the best, most reliable person in the world. If you have never used them before, how would you know apart from how they presented themselves on that first communication.

 

Now just to clarify, I don't think that anyone who works part time is not a professional - I'm part time myself, I am only stating my thoughts on this matter as to perceptions.... And you don't have to have a dedicated line - One of the guys locally answers the phone Attleborough **** which again sounds better than hello

Edited August 30, 2007 by Tonsk

[Revelationroadshow 0]

It wasn't you Matt - You a little Robin, but I'll get to that in a minute...

 

Matt - If someone calls my mobile number during the day, I always answer it Good *******, Tony speaking.

 

Just sounds better than "Hello", unless you recognise the number and then you can answer it however you want!!

 

Robin - It wasn't actually referring to you as I don't know which number you advertise or take work on.. Here is a picture though (and remember, these are all only my opinion)

 

You are getting married (don't mention this to your wife!) and you have already spent £10k on the day so far... You've booked the venue and the food/drink and church.

 

Now is the photographers/disco etc turn.... (coz we are never first on the list).

 

You're thinking its gonna cost £300 for a disco and about £800 for photos (for this area, bl00dy photographers) - You call with photographer 1 who answers

 

"Good afternoon, Great Photography Limited how can I help"

 

You have a little chat, he's alright, you think he knows what you want and quotes £850 but you think - I'll try someone else

 

You phone photographer 2 who answers

 

"hello"

 

You have a chat with this person after asking them if they are Fantastic Photography Limited, which they answer yes to. This guy has all the answers, sounds great and is only £650 - But because of the initial "hello" and not company name, is he a little shifty? Just running it part time? Not really a business?

 

These thoughts are now in your head, is it worth the risk or should you go back to number 1 who you now percieve to be a professional, just because they answered with their business name?

 

First impressions, which one is the more professional and trust worthy.....

 

Now change photographers with discos - which, lets face it, from the media painting that we get we already have a hard image to shake off due to the cowboy jeans/t-shirt picture that is painted at every turn by TV and horror stories.

 

For the sake of answering the phone a little differently, you are already painting a better image in someones mind.

 

Again, this is just my opinion, but if I was wanting a plumber, painter etc and someone just answered hello, I would be a little worries over their professionalism, even if they were the best, most reliable person in the world. If you have never used them before, how would you know apart from how they presented themselves on that first communication.

 

Now just to clarify, I don't think that anyone who works part time is not a professional - I'm part time myself, I am only stating my thoughts on this matter as to perceptions.... And you don't have to have a dedicated line - One of the guys locally answers the phone Attleborough **** which again sounds better than hello

 

Now I see where you're coming from, but there is so much else to consider.

 

Photographer 1 answers with a business name and then goes on to give you the hard sell, tell you how professional he is, how he knows best, has been doing weddings for 20 years and can't be told a new trick. He'll tell you how to pose, where to have the pictures and how many to have and please don't ask for anything different because I know best and you don't.

 

No Photographer number 2 answers with just a hello, but when questioned if he is "fab photo's" he politely and effectively confirms. The conversation continues with little more than realistic questions from the photogrpaher to help determine the clients needs and requirements. he offers at one point ot make an appointment to come as see them so he can show his work and have a better chat. The quote's given and hey presto, it's even cheaper than No 1.

 

So who would you go with now?

 

See, maybe it's not always that easy

[Tonsk 0]

See, maybe it's not always that easy

 

Absolutely not, but the key thing is is if both were 100% the same, did everything identically etc - just from the first impressions, which would you go to....

 

Equally, if in the example you give, number 1 did give the hard sell and and number 2 didn't, you would go for the better service of number 2 - however this is taking the post a little further than it was intended.

 

Like you say, there always is more to consider when posting these things, but it is only my opinion that to me, answering with hello would put you on a back step compared to someone who answers with a company name - but again it is only my perception and completely unfounded as has nothing to back it up but it may be an idea just to ask anyone you know who is getting married what they would prefer to hear when thinking of spending money on their day....

[D.X 0]

We currently have an 0845 number which is diverted to home onto a number with a different ring tone.

 

I cant speak for others people but personally, I hate 0870/0845 type numbers. Charging customers just to speak to you is not good business practice either. Most of the big companies use 0870 numbers for complaints and regular or free numbers for sales.

 

Like I said, I cant speak for everyone but having to use an 0870 number would put me off even ringing you at all, never mind booking you.

[Little John 0]

As the proportion of calls made from mobiles rises, 0800 numbers will lose their value as they are chargeable at some unspecified rate. A recent call to an 0700 number cost me over £1 a minute recently - I won't be doing business with them again! People do have a distrust of non-geographic numbers.

[D.X 0]

As the proportion of calls made from mobiles rises, 0800 numbers will lose their value as they are chargeable at some unspecified rate. A recent call to an 0700 number cost me over £1 a minute recently - I won't be doing business with them again! People do have a distrust of non-geographic numbers.

 

 

Simple solution. DON'T RING THEM !. And if you really must, try the following site .....

 

Say No To 0870

[HalfPint 0]

07000 numbers are charged at national rate. Nothing else.. so. what's the problem.

 

They can't charge any more than this so... were you phoning from a mobile or something else!

 

[Dream Catchers 0]

I won't phone a 0800/0845/0870 or any other non geographical number either.

 

I have a contract with T-Mobile and I get more monthly credit than I can use, if I however phone a 08xx number I end up paying through the nose for it.

 

Jim

[spinner 0]

"First impressions are lasting impressions."

 

"You never get a second chance to make a first impression."

 

Two very important points to remember.

 

Having a dedicated business line and answering confidently with a business name and "how can I help you" gives a much more professional image than using a home phone.

 

Creating a professional image is very important from the first point of contact through to your brochures, letterheads and other promotional material. It gives potential clients confidence and allows one to charge above "average" prices.

 

[Dream Catchers 0]

 

Creating a professional image is very important from the first point of contact through to your brochures, letterheads and other promotional material. It gives potential clients confidence and allows one to charge above "average" prices.

 

So you charge more because of the way that you answer your phone and how glossy your brochure is?

 

I would like to think that you charge more because of your experience etc.....

 

Jim

[spinner 0]

So you charge more because of the way that you answer your phone and how glossy your brochure is?

 

I would like to think that you charge more because of your experience etc.....

 

Jim

 

No those are your words and not what I posted.

 

Is this a wind-up or do you not believe that creating the right impression is important?

 

I charge more because I am experienced and offer a comprehensive, quality service.

 

However creating the right image lays the foundation for successful marketing. If I sent out poorly prepared literature the number of appointments and bookings I get would be lower.

 

But I'll bet you knew that didn't you?

Edited September 3, 2007 by spinner

[Tonsk 0]

No those are your words and not what I posted.

 

Is this a wind-up or do you not believe that creating the right impression is important?

 

I charge more because I am experienced and offer a comprehensive, quality service.

 

However creating the right image lays the foundation for successful marketing. If I sent out poorly prepared literature the number of appointments and bookings I get would be lower.

 

But I'll bet you knew that didn't you?

 

Hopefully he did as what you have said hits the nail on the head....

 

Giving the ideal first impressions sets you easily apart from the others who just answer with hello....

 

Seriously, is anyone saying that if they were looking for someone to do some work for them, they would think the same of a company answering with their company name and how can I help than someone who just answers hello?

 

Think about it... Its the whole package. If Spinner is more expensive than someone who did answer with just hello, then he can sell himself on his professionalism as well as his experience - A Win Win situation

 

[Mattaious 0]

So you charge more because of the way that you answer your phone and how glossy your brochure is?

 

I would like to think that you charge more because of your experience etc.....

 

Jim

 

Jim, I dont think thats what spinner was saying,

 

I have to agree though, If you answer the phone in a professional way and even have letterheads etc, i think it does make more of a professional image.

 

I always answered my phone calls with "Good Morning/Afternoon/Evening) :cense:Delete as applicable:cense:

Eclipse -- Matt Speaking how can i help you?

 

I had letterheads and proffesional bsuiness cards printed, And yes many people had commented on these few things.

 

However i know other dj's and other proffesionals in different trades who just either answer "Hello" and send out there details etc on plain paper and use "£3 for 200 business cards" .

 

On a personal note i recently had to source a "tree surgeon" as i needed a conifer removing, I received several quotes, And i went with the guy who answered the phone proffesionally and also sent out all his paper work on letterheaded paper, showing details of his qualitfications etc on , I didnt go with the guy who answered the phone "hello" and sent his paperwork out handwritten scruffly and couldnt read what he was quoting!

 

So i suppose its all about which way you want to go forward,

 

My opinion is - Spend that little extra and always offer that little extra, IMHO it shows proffesionalism through and through.

 

 

 

[Dream Catchers 0]

It was meant to be a little tongue-in-cheek (off topic but who pronounces tongue as TONG and who says TUNG?), obviously it is all part of the package.

 

I would just love to say to a client "it's £95 if I say hello on the phone and send out out a quote on writing paper", but on the other hand if you want me to answer the phone "Hellooooo, Jimmy McB Entertainment at your service, how may I help" and then send a quote and contract on 200 year old parchment then it will be £250.

:bouncy:

Jim