Re: How important is a phone number?

Or what about a cheaper phone option. Like add an additional line to your cell phone (so that the business has a different number than your personal cell phone)- this should be relatively cheap I think. Alot of plans you can add a line for $10/month. Or don't have a phone number at all. I think it is ok, as long as you are reachable by email. I can't tell you when the last time i called a company (well except the gas company who screwed up my account when I took my ex's name off the account). I think Kitty's suggestion is good to clearly indicate that you don't have a phone line, but all you'd need to state is that it is because you are a small family business. 
Theresa


Kitty wrote:
I would rarely call a phone number, but seeing one listed is reassuring. People want to know they can contact you - with results - if something goes wrong.
However, I have had to deal w companies who have ph numbers - and don't answer them.
And I've been very happy to do business with some that don't have ph numbers - Darrell Probst's Garden Vision, North Wind Perennials, to name a couple.
If not posting a ph number, I think it is smart to not simply omit it but to state openly that you don't and why, followed by a sincere promise to handle all communication speedily. And don't neglect the promise. 

Kitty
neIN, Zone 5
----- Original Message ----- From: "Christopher P. Lindsey" <lindsey@mallorn.com> 
To: <gardenchat@hort.net>
Sent: Tuesday, August 14, 2007 10:07 PM
Subject: [CHAT] How important is a phone number?



Hi guys,

  I have a question for you from a business owner's perspective.

  How important is it that a business have a phone number that you
  can call?  Or fax?

  Right now I'm paying $65/month for a phone line and a fax line for
  the nursery, costing me $780/year.  That's money that I can't
  afford to spend right now, especially since I hardly even get phone
  calls to the business anyhow.  Most are from people trying to sell
  something, and the rest followup with an email (which the answering
  machine suggests).

  How disastrous would it be to not have any phone lines associated with
  the business?

I appreciate any insights,

Chris

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