Need Advice from Other Phone-Haters

[Lainey]

Incidentally, what is the phone hate thing about? That has always confounded me...

For me it's not a 'hate' but a dislike. A phone call is akin to someone barging into your living room and demanding to speak to you RIGHT NOW vs. an e-mail being like a note slipped under your front door saying "contact me when you have a moment."

[jp1]

867-5309 :-) It's universally not assigned because of the song so it's a good one to hand out.

Now this would have been ROFL hysterical if Jennipurr had posted the questions... :-)

[jp1]

I'm another phone hater after 3 years in a job spent almost entirely on the phone. Like others have said I'd go with "i'm difficult to reach by phone" (it's true since I don't pick up unless I know who it is and want to talk to them) and if they won't accomodate try someone else.

When we moved across the country 3 years ago I started looking online for apartment insurance. I'd specified on all the sites that I preferred email communication. Several insurance agents left me voicemails but one sent me an email quote within 10 minutes of my visit to the esurance.com website. It seemed reasonable so I bound coverage with them that day, again online, and they emailed back the confirmation binder within an hour. (I've never spoken to them, ever.) I have no idea what the other agents would've quoted but they lost my business by not sending email as I had requested.

[granola19]

I am glad your problem was resolved but I just wanted to add that many local businesses prefer to talk to their customers by phone simply to verify that they are dealing with a real person and not being spammed or scammed.

[Jemima]

I just let people know it's hard to reach me by phone and it's better to email me. It usually works. I can't stand phone communication either. Probably partially because I don't have very good hearing, but I also find phone calls a bit jarring.

The "jar" factor is an important part of it for me as well. I have very sensitive hearing and startle easily, so a ringing phone makes me jump. God help me if I'm on a ladder with a long, wet piece of wallpaper in my hands. Having a phone ring at a time like that is downright dangerous.

[Jemima]

For me it's not a 'hate' but a dislike. A phone call is akin to someone barging into your living room and demanding to speak to you RIGHT NOW vs. an e-mail being like a note slipped under your front door saying "contact me when you have a moment."

My feelings exactly! My home is my sanctuary and I get really P.O.'ed when someone just has to talk to me this very minute, no doubt for something THEY want and for which THEY cannot wait. T.S.

[Jemima]

When we moved across the country 3 years ago I started looking online for apartment insurance. I'd specified on all the sites that I preferred email communication. Several insurance agents left me voicemails but one sent me an email quote within 10 minutes of my visit to the esurance.com website. It seemed reasonable so I bound coverage with them that day, again online, and they emailed back the confirmation binder within an hour. (I've never spoken to them, ever.) I have no idea what the other agents would've quoted but they lost my business by not sending email as I had requested.

That's just what I would have done. Businesses just have to be clear on the point that I'm the customer and my wishes are paramount in any transaction. If they don't get that, I don't want to do business with them.

[Stella]

I'm glad it worked out. I'm a phone hater too. I think in my case it has a lot to do with having a lot of small children. Kids get naughty when parents are on the phone. Another part of it is as others have said, I like to have time to construct my thoughts and respond when I have time.

[Mrs-M]

Count me in as another telephone hater, too! However, given the choice between using email or the telephone, I'd choose the phone.

[Jemima]

I am glad your problem was resolved but I just wanted to add that many local businesses prefer to talk to their customers by phone simply to verify that they are dealing with a real person and not being spammed or scammed.

The heck with businesses that put their preferences before the customer's preference. I will no doubt find them abrasive in many more ways in the future.