Clients ringing texting out of hours?

[Susie H]

Seeing as clients already have this number then it makes sense to have a different one for the bf. If you have an old phone then just buy a chip, of the market or what ever, all you really want is something he can call you on and have the work one on silent or off. That still gives you the option of calling him back on the work phone if you need to but you can have a message on that phone. nice bright and happy reminding clients of your opening hours and asking them to ring back then or leave a message.

 

[doiamailbox]

you should be able to call any business at any given time, a good business will have an answering machine, but in your case it's you personal phone also, so realy you have to put up with it..... just make sure you business hours are on your business card, and don't return any phone call out side of those hours

 

[Bagpuss]

I use the same phone and if I get a text out of hours (well after 8pm) the I just don't reply...till 9am the next morning. My clients know my times and so now I rarely get out of hours calls/texts.

I personally would never call or text someone after a certain time or on a Sunday, mobile or not. I wouldn't expect a salon to reply to my call at these times so why just because you are mobile.

 

[TIPTOP]

I use the same phone for personal & business, I always add any clients telephone numbers in my phone so I know who is calling me and I only take calls up to 6.30pm and after that time I let my phone ring and let my voice mail kick in and it works.

Look at it in another way... you wouldn't answer your phone if you were carrying out a treatment on a client so the person ringing would leave a message.

 

[nailzoo]

If you are in business, you really should have a business phone (mobile or otherwise), it's a tax deduction and demonstrates professionalism. Get a separate business mobile and put it on answer phone after hours. Or better still, get your boyfriend to buy you a new personal phone.

Clients do ring outside of business hours expecting to get a message so you can call them back (they want to make an appointment or something else regarding your income).

When I get to work on Tuesday morning there are at least 10 messages confirming appointments, wanting to make appointments and some wanting to cancel.

The last thing you want is your phone to stop ringing.

 

[stoney]

Clients do ring outside of business hours expecting to get a message so you can call them back.

The last thing you want is your phone to stop ringing.

I agree, you should always, always, ALWAYS have a seperate phone for your business! It's the main way of communicating with your clients and no call should ever go unanswered.

My phone is always on answerphone on a 5 ring delay and says:
Thanks for calling Polished Nail Boutique, our hours of business are....blahblah, if you are calling within these hours, our technicians are busy with clients and are unable to answer your call, please leave a message with contact number and we will return your call at our earliest convenience.

So.. if it's out of hours, they know its out of hours cause I have told them my business hours, and if we are busy/cannot leave clients or just don't get to the phone in time, it is ALWAYS answered in a professional manner.

The money you will make from retained clients, will buy you a seperate phone!!

 

[Pink Pink Pink]

I would get a cheap hanset and keep it seperate for buisness and personal. That way you can turn it off when you need to.

 

[Mich77]

Hi All,

Got a question for you although the answer may be obvious to you it is not to me:irked:

I use my mobile for both business and pleasure so never put it off due to my boyfreind that works away etc etc

It's really really annoying when clients think its their god given right to ring or text me at any hour they want with no thought for me atall:evil: only last night I had a text from a client waking me up in the process:irked::zzz:telling me that one of her nails had come off and would I fix it grrrrrr and text me again this morning it is SUNDAY!!! and apologised for textin sooo late I said nothing don't start me....... and said that she a bit drunk WHAT!!!! grrrrrrr and the list goes on putting my phone off isn't an option keeping my temper is really hard!!

Any suggestions

Thanks Kate:Grope:

Hi,

I have 2 mobile phones. 1 for business, and 1 for personal.
I only have my business phone switched on during business hours, so I turn it off at night, and Sundays.
Then, if a client wishes to leave me a message, I ring them back first thing in the morning!
That way, I'm not disturbed.
I mean if you worked in a salon, a client probably wouldn't dream of ringing after 5:30pm, or whatever time you closed, because they would know there would be no-one there!
I think when you work for yourself, you have to set boundaries, otherwise people will take advantage of you.
I speak from experience, hence 2 phones!!
I hope that helps!

 

[VHunter]

I've avoided this by keeping my cell-phone for private purposes only. They call my home phone, on which I have an answering machine and I can screen my calls if I've of the mind (but never done it so far LOL)

I usually make it clear to clients up front: I have children, I do not wish the phone to be ringing at all hours. Please call only between 9 & 5 during the week. In any case, I work evenings and will not take a call while with a client. While a client is paying for my time, it is THEIR time.
To date, only one has ever disregarded this request, and I politely pointed out that I was with a client and would have to call her back. When she pushed the issue, I stood politely firm.
When I called her back, I explained that if I talk on the phone while I work, I'm slower. My clients don't appreciate this. They pay for my time and it's their's. She said she had only thought of it after, and was apologetic.


hth's

 

[andi]

Hi what I do is have one ring tone for clients and another one for family and friends, that way when the phone rings, depending on the ring tone you can decide whether to answer or to let it go to voice mail. I have been doing this for about four years and it works a treat!

 

[hippy-chick]

I agree, you should always, always, ALWAYS have a seperate phone for your business! It's the main way of communicating with your clients and no call should ever go unanswered.

My phone is always on answerphone on a 5 ring delay and says:
Thanks for calling Polished Nail Boutique, our hours of business are....blahblah, if you are calling within these hours, our technicians are busy with clients and are unable to answer your call, please leave a message with contact number and we will return your call at our earliest convenience.

So.. if it's out of hours, they know its out of hours cause I have told them my business hours, and if we are busy/cannot leave clients or just don't get to the phone in time, it is ALWAYS answered in a professional manner.

The money you will make from retained clients, will buy you a seperate phone!!

excellent advice.

 

[Nettie]

I just don't answer my phone after 7pm. If it is that urgent they can leave a message, then i'll get back to them the following day.

I have had a couple of clients that seem to think they can book me at a few days notice and that i can do their nails at a drop of a hat, so when they call me, i make them wait at least five days to fit them in. A lot of the time now, i can't fit people in for at least a week, so they now book me in advance.

You must always make clients fit in with you and not the other way around.

I totally agree with this, and I turn off my phone after about 6.30pm. If this really isn't an option for you, then be selective about who you answer to... if you don't recognise the number or know it is a client forward the call to voicemail. They can wait. It's your business, you are in control of it , not the other way around.

 

[Vetty]

I have 2 phones and tbh, my work phone is on pretty much all of the time I just choose whether to answer it or not...... But I can turn it off when I want to and also my answerphone message is a business message...... Also, I'm often working until 9pm at night so it's no great problem if it rings in teh evenings - that's working hours for me.....

It's this option or putting up with it IMO. I do agree it looks and sounds more professional to have a dedicated business line.....

 

[worthit]

There's some great advice here I will take it all on board

Thanks again:hug:

Kate xxx