Sunday Calls

[realclean]

Do take calls on Sunday for normal carpet cleaning? (if you don't normally work on Sunday)

 

[Mark Saiger]

We do, only because we understand peoples schedules are limited....and it surprises them when and if we answer, or get back to them in the a quick fashion.

Helps us to keep the schedule full.

People who do not take Sunday calls I totally understand.

We are ok yet with taking the calls though.

 

[hogjowl]

My office phone is forwarded to my cell phone on weekends and after hours. The only time I don't answer it is when I am sleeping and in church. I don't work on Sundays, but will take calls.

 

[Desk Jockey]

We take calls but only do emergency work on Sundays, unless its commercial work pre scheduled.

 

[Vivers]

Not for a long time however in the beginning of the company of course

 

[Steve Toburen]

The only time I don't answer it is when I am sleeping and in church.

I was just OCD enough that I did the same right up till I sold the business.

Looking at it today I am torn. I almost think personally answering on way off business hours can startle people who just want to leave a message while "getting the carpets cleaned" is on their mind. They can seem almost surprised when a real person answers and it could smack of being you "desperate".

So now I might record a professional message with the option to "Press #1 if you have an emergency for immediate, personal assistance, press #2 to leave a message to be returned at 8:00 AM the next business day or when you specify or email us at..."

Steve

PS Today I would also look closely at offering "online booking" and mentioning that option in the phone message. Many people now don't want to talk to anyone.

 

[Jim Pemberton]

To say "cell phones have changed everything" is an understatement.

The ability to take a call easily without be stuck at a desk or having the call create an intrusion on the rest of the family can make taking such a call at times when you usually might not (like a Sunday) an easier decision than it had been in the past.

However, if you are married or living with a long time partner, you might want to be sure that individual is on board with you taking such calls all days and at all hours. Unless they are strongly integrated into the business, such calls may cause resentment and result in stresses in your relationship.

Steve's suggestion regarding on line booking is one everyone should seriously consider.

 

[hogjowl]

Yep. A guy called me last night to cancel a job for the first slot this morning. He sure was surprised when he had to tell me in person.

 

[Lee Stockwell]

Happens too often for Mon am jobs from 1st time customers.

 

[Bjorn]

I'm no snob I will work sundays and holidays I will charge a little more for it no one seems to have a problem

I take week days off why do I want to go skiing or golfing or what ever on a weekend or holiday when everyone else is not working.

Like this morning I am just leaving for the golf course bye bye

 

[Mikey P]

It so rare to get a call on Sunday that I just let them go to Full Circle. Within a minute I'll get an email with the recorded message attached.

I'l listen to it at some point and 9 times out of ten the call will be returned on Monday AM.


It's usually a college kid looking for a rush job.



We hardly even get calls on Saturday for that matter.

 

[Desk Jockey]

We get very few commercial jobs that want Sunday's, most want Friday night or Saturday.

We did one WDR yesterday and two last Sunday but most of the time people won't call to have you out unless its really bad. They call Monday AM.

 

[Derek]

yes, unless i'm out with friends or family.

 

[handdi]

i do most of the time
couple of months ago i answered the phone at a nhra race on a sat afternoon
turned out to be a 7700 strip and wax job so ya never know

 

[Shane Deubell]

Never!
Maybe 1x every other month a commercial job will schedule a sunday.

With football starting you can forget about it...

 

[steve_64]

i dont work a 40 hour week most of the time, it would wipe me out. ill work sundays, its the best time for some stores and factories. ive suprised a few people looking to leave a message on sundays but i try and let it go to voice mail now.

 

[Ron K]

I've found that Sunday afternoon call backs are great for people you just can't get during the week.

 

[SamIam]

I took off to Mammoth ca on Friday stayed Saturday came home Sunday. I booked 20 calls all weekend filled my week up sunday I had 4 to 5 call booked those too.

People call if you don't answer they call the next on the list. Unless of course they're repeats they will leave a message and wait!

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[ruff]

I neither work or answer the phone on the weekend. Family time.
Ain't trading it for the mighty $, as long as we're not hungry.

If it is an emergency help that they need (on the phone) I'll call back. Otherwise its Monday.

 

[Mikey P]

I had one call on Saturday, none on Sunday and booked 18 to 19 today.


Which I believe is a record for us.



and I'm off from this Wednesday until the Monday after MFE.


My guys are going to quit.

 

[SamIam]

You better hope not. Can you say bonus and get a Starbucks on me!


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[Desk Jockey]

Ain't trading it for the mighty $, as long as we're not hungry.

We're always hungry.

We had 4-guys work a commercial air duct job Saturday. It was an all day sucker plus, a 10 hour job.
Oh well they are off Monday, for a paid holiday.

 

[ruff]

It is very different if you have multiple vans and employees Richard. You have to take care of your employees and provide for them as well as for your family. Makes total sense. It is also different if one is trying to expand their business or not.

I am doing none of the above. Mostly trying to survive the grind.

 

[Bjorn]

I guess if the wife has a really good job you can be as selective as you wish

 

[Shane Deubell]

We're always hungry.

We had 4-guys work a commercial air duct job Saturday. It was an all day sucker plus, a 10 hour job.
Oh well they are off Monday, for a paid holiday.

Yeah me too but not for a $120 job on a Sunday.
$1k? now we're talking.

 

[ruff]

I guess if the wife has a really good job you can be as selective as you wish

Did you get a wife Teri?

They are highly beneficial for other things as well.

 

[Desk Jockey]

You have to take care of your employees and provide for them as well as for your family. Makes total sense.

They hate working OT but they sure love payday. Yes it does help them and their family come pay day. In fact last week I had 6-guys that doubled their pay and two that tripled it.

 

[WillS]

Holidays like Labor Day, etc. we are open. We book up like mad on those days since people finally have a day off during the week and its not like celebrating Christmas. Although, this year I think we are going to require a higher minimum per job for a week before Holiday's. Definitely answer on Sunday, since these are usually calls from our google listing. If we don't answer, they will move onto the next one on the google places list. We actually book normal work staring at 8am and last appointment at 5pm, but answer phones from 8am-8pm. People are surprised when you answer at 7:45pm on a Fri/Sat.

 

[steve_64]

looks like a working sunday coming up. bid on the elks lodge today and they need it done on a sunday.

 

[Ron Werner]

I normally take Sundays off. Can't start until 1pm anyway.
This Sunday however, being the month end, there are some jobs that need to be done and can't be done Sat or Monday.


"The only time I don't answer it is when I am sleeping and in church." Marty, are these mutually exclusive times??