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Old 06-13-2017, 07:24 AM   #1
leo
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Exclamation Rant: Business People Who Don't Answer Emails

OK, I'm on a toot about this. Why is it that business people who advertise for parts or services don't answer their emails. Why say contact (link to email address) and not respond. I experience this a lot and it vexes me. How about you?
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Old 06-13-2017, 07:40 AM   #2
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Default Re: Rant: Business People Who Don't Answer Emails

While I'm not making excuses for vendors not responding quickly, I do understand that many of the companies we deal with were started long before e-commerace became the catch word. There is a particular A vendor I deal with that takes more than a few days to respond to my emails. If I need an instant answer, I call. When I first started in the aftermarket business, companies didn't have 800 numbers or website. Credit cards weren't a factor either. You sent in a check for the goods and when the check cleared the vendor's bank (sometimes two weeks) the products would be sent. If you were in a hurry, you could get a COD delivery that required that you be there when the delivery guy showed up plus you needed cash to pay the bill.

Quite frankly, this is a non-issue in my opinion.
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Old 06-13-2017, 07:59 AM   #3
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Default Re: Rant: Business People Who Don't Answer Emails

I am a private individual who vends original Model A parts and do answer as many wants here as I think I have parts for BUT often knowing you have an extra part VS finding that parts are two vastly different things. I often answer a want and then spend sometimes hours trying to locate such a part. I will appologize for my lack of organization on my part but don't know why a good communication is lacking. Often I gather all the parts together and then picture them and then the buyer backs down because of price and then I have parts that need to be repacked "somewhere". I have most of my extra parts packed for the National Meets Swap and so often I have to dig through dozens of boxes to find that particular part. Just my take on not being able to go to the shelf or drawer and pick up a part.
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Old 06-13-2017, 08:26 AM   #4
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Default Re: Rant: Business People Who Don't Answer Emails

In my business, not auto related though, I always respond to any email fairly quickly. Even if I have to take time find out if we actually have the item, I get back to let them know we at least got the customer's message. I have noticed that alot, and I mean alot, of domestic vendors in any type of commodity do not respond immediately, or not at all to any inquiries, even tho their contacts email is listed on their website. Then if you do get a message, it's almost like I'm bothering them and they don't want to waste the time on an answer. I resort to phone calls, and I can be a pest if I get the runaround. I get it that everyone is busy, but hey, you want to make a sale, you respond to a customer.........
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Old 06-13-2017, 08:40 AM   #5
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Default Re: Rant: Business People Who Don't Answer Emails

vintage ford is terrible on "back order" . no notice if & when the part comes in , usually sold to the next guy that walks in
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Old 06-13-2017, 09:17 AM   #6
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Default Re: Rant: Business People Who Don't Answer Emails

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Simple solution: Just deal with GOOD DEPENDABLE people!
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Old 06-13-2017, 10:52 AM   #7
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Default Re: Rant: Business People Who Don't Answer Emails

Quote:
Originally Posted by 1928Mik View Post
In my business, not auto related though, I always respond to any email fairly quickly. Even if I have to take time find out if we actually have the item, I get back to let them know we at least got the customer's message. I have noticed that alot, and I mean alot, of domestic vendors in any type of commodity do not respond immediately, or not at all to any inquiries, even tho their contacts email is listed on their website. Then if you do get a message, it's almost like I'm bothering them and they don't want to waste the time on an answer. I resort to phone calls, and I can be a pest if I get the runaround. I get it that everyone is busy, but hey, you want to make a sale, you respond to a customer.........

Good points. Like most people, when I send an e-mail or leave a message on an answering machine, I like to know it was received. If it's going to take time to respond I like to know a time frame, e.g., something like "I'll get back to you in two days," or "I'm going out of town and I'll get back to you next week."

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Old 06-13-2017, 01:03 PM   #8
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Default Re: Rant: Business People Who Don't Answer Emails

Many of us are inundated with "information" traffic nowadays. I am not in the auto parts or services business but receive an average of 180 emails a day at work and another 60 at home. I know many that have lightened their load by ignoring a lot of it, especially direct telephone calls. The younger generation seems loathe to pick up a phone but they will usually respond to a text message. This doesn't quite answer the question of why somebody would advertise a car part but not respond to purchase inquiries.
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Old 06-13-2017, 01:23 PM   #9
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Default Re: Rant: Business People Who Don't Answer Emails

I can see why a lot of people have trouble finding their stuff. I had that problem until I put near everything in containers, numbered each container, and then I used the notes app in my phone. I even list what and where in my cabinets items are located. I have a note for each container and what is in that container. I can use the search function in that app and easily find where the item is or look for what is in a particular container.
If I get something out and I forget where it was taken from I just use my phone to tell me where it is supposed to go. It's not that hard and it allows more time to enjoy my Model A. No different than using the search function here on Ford Barn, in fact much easier. It's the 21st century folks, time to step up and make your life easier for yourself.
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Old 06-13-2017, 02:18 PM   #10
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Default Re: Rant: Business People Who Don't Answer Emails

My time is just as valuable as yours. Probably the best solution I have been using to find out what a buyer is looking for is to ask them to call me. This separates some of the shoppers from the pack. Some buyers are knowledgable , some are not.
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Old 06-13-2017, 04:02 PM   #11
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Default Re: Rant: Business People Who Don't Answer Emails

Some E-Mails might look like SPAM & get DELETED or someone pushed the WRONG button & LOST it. CRAP happens!!!
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Old 06-13-2017, 06:14 PM   #12
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Default Re: Rant: Business People Who Don't Answer Emails

I operate a side business in a non automotive related field. I can honestly tell you that if I took the time to respond to every email that others think I should respond to, I would never get away from my computer.

Because of the sheer volume of emails I receive daily, I end up deleting about one third of them without opening them. I do this based on the subject of the email.

Another third I opened, read, and marked to deal with in the near future.

The remaining third i deal with immediately. These emails usually have an order included with them, a complaint or comment about an order. If time permits, I will reply to questions about a particular item. (Sometimes these questions are moved to the near future folder.)

We are a two people with other full time careers running this side business. There is enough income generated to make a nice "second" income. But, likely will never generate a high enough return to replace one career with benefits.

As has been mentioned before, I spend a lot of time sorting out the junk and crap emails that have nothing to do with business. If these could be eliminated it would free up a lot of time.

I am fully aware that some customers , or even potential customers are being lost in the shuffle. Unfortunately, I do not know to do any better without hiring help to free up some more time for me to spend on the computer.

While I understand your "rant", I hope you can understand what things are like from the other side of the isle.
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Old 06-14-2017, 06:23 AM   #13
BRENT in 10-uh-C
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Default Re: Rant: Business People Who Don't Answer Emails

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Originally Posted by Ed View Post
I operate a side business in a non automotive related field. I can honestly tell you that if I took the time to respond to every email that others think I should respond to, I would never get away from my computer.

Because of the sheer volume of emails I receive daily, I end up deleting about one third of them without opening them. I do this based on the subject of the email.

Another third I opened, read, and marked to deal with in the near future.

The remaining third i deal with immediately. These emails usually have an order included with them, a complaint or comment about an order. If time permits, I will reply to questions about a particular item. (Sometimes these questions are moved to the near future folder.)

We are a two people with other full time careers running this side business. There is enough income generated to make a nice "second" income. But, likely will never generate a high enough return to replace one career with benefits.

As has been mentioned before, I spend a lot of time sorting out the junk and crap emails that have nothing to do with business. If these could be eliminated it would free up a lot of time.

I am fully aware that some customers , or even potential customers are being lost in the shuffle. Unfortunately, I do not know to do any better without hiring help to free up some more time for me to spend on the computer.

While I understand your "rant", I hope you can understand what things are like from the other side of the isle.
Very true words. I want to emphasize something from my own perspective. Like Ed, I cannot begin to tell you how many emails I get on a daily basis that start out something like, "I was looking at your website pictures and was trying to see how you ...." -and then need me to explain how to do something. The same thing applies here. It used to be that people came here for help once they were stumped working n their project. Now they come here to first ask how to do the entire project.

Two other things that affect this 'rant'. Telemarketing (-most notably Google ads) has become a REAL pain issue. Caller ID means nothing any more, ....nor does the DO NOT CALL list. You as a caller expect someone to answer and not go to voice mail. It is so tough to actually do work and answer the phone. My shop answering machine holds about 20 messages, and it often gets filled between the time I go in for the morning, and the time I leave in the evening. The other thing is people calling asking for advice on what to do. It used to be you didn't bother anyone asking advice questions like this unless thy were a friend or close acquaintance. Now, anything goes I guess. Therefore, if we are expected not to take it personal about Telemarketers and people asking for free advice, then folks need not take it personal if we don't return all the emails and phone calls!
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Old 06-14-2017, 07:20 AM   #14
barkleydave
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Default Re: Rant: Business People Who Don't Answer Emails

I can see both sides of the issue.
My pet peeve is when someone Puts a sign or advertises something for sale.

example:
1931 Model A Slant Fordor call 555-1212

I just move on!
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Old 06-14-2017, 07:26 AM   #15
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Default Re: Rant: Business People Who Don't Answer Emails

Our local marina dealt with the phone call issue for their Service Department.

"Thank You for calling XYZ Marina Service... leave your number and we will return your call after 5P.M. Monday-Friday"

Man did that piss off the boaters that pay thousands of dollars per year for slip rentals in that marina not to mention outside service work required during the summer season which is 3 months of prime time business.

Other local service shops however were pleased!

At least 80-90 percent of small businesses fail in our area most within 90 to 120 days.
Restaurants are the biggest. Often get off to a fast start find out that they cannot handle the volume add more employee's but kitchens are too small then summer ends and they are stuck have to lay off employee's, reduce hours and the rest is history! BBQ joints usually die the quickest.

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Old 06-14-2017, 08:55 AM   #16
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Default Re: Rant: Business People Who Don't Answer Emails

Well the way I look at it is that if your company is on the web with a 'contact us' link, and a published email and phone number, at least be respectful and get back to your customer base. Sure there are tons of crap annoying email that comes thru, and sure everyone is busy, but if you don't want get back to people, then don't publish contact info. Limp along and hope people order things and don't have questions or issues. No wonder many businesses fail over time, they lose focus and don't respect their customers who help pay their salaries and bills. I had to remind a long time supplier of that very thing. I helped pay their bills for many years by purchasing their products and representing them nicely. But if they don't want me to do that anymore by not corresponding, just tell me so I can move on to the next company who will appreciate my business!
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Old 06-14-2017, 09:16 AM   #17
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Default Re: Rant: Business People Who Don't Answer Emails

For the most part I only sell at a few selected swap meets and here on the "Barn". All my ads list my personal e-mail and buyers are instructed to use that e-mail. I check my personal e-mail generally about 6 times a day and only log on to FB may be once every 2-3 days yet several people insist on using the FB PMs. If you place an order from my using a FB PM it may take a couple days to get a response or the item may be sold by the time I see your PM.

Like most people I receive a ton of SPAM a day. I skim the SPAM and can read about the first 12 words of the e-mail but do not open any of it. If in the first few words the person does not mention seeing my ad or the part they are interested in I hit DELETE without reading any more. Further, with all the 'hackers' and/or people forwarding viruses anything that goes to my SPAM with an attachment gets deleted with no consideration.
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Old 06-14-2017, 09:47 AM   #18
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Default Re: Rant: Business People Who Don't Answer Emails

My rant is more in the direction of both the seller and buyer. Sellers who don't update their ads after the item is sold and buyers that don't take time to let the seller know they got the part and if ok. Lots of seller in the classifieds are not big time parts houses, just individuals selling excess parts.
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Old 06-14-2017, 10:19 AM   #19
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Default Re: Rant: Business People Who Don't Answer Emails

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Well the way I look at it is that if your company is on the web with a 'contact us' link, and a published email and phone number, at least be respectful and get back to your customer base. Sure there are tons of crap annoying email that comes thru, and sure everyone is busy, but if you don't want get back to people, then don't publish contact info. Limp along and hope people order things and don't have questions or issues. No wonder many businesses fail over time, they lose focus and don't respect their customers who help pay their salaries and bills. I had to remind a long time supplier of that very thing. I helped pay their bills for many years by purchasing their products and representing them nicely. But if they don't want me to do that anymore by not corresponding, just tell me so I can move on to the next company who will appreciate my business!
Also understand the economy is booming right now and many, MANY business (mine included) are absolutely overwhelmed. I am writing this as I am on the phone holding for someone to answer my question whether something is in stock. I don't see it getting any better in the short term either as it will be tough for most businesses to expand to meet demand due to a shortage of quality employees.
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Old 06-14-2017, 10:29 AM   #20
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Default Re: Rant: Business People Who Don't Answer Emails

Maybe a small business contact info should read "ORDERS ONLY".
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