Thoughts About People in the Work/Business World Who Don't Return Calls?

People call me every day trying to sell me things. I can't get to all of them.

I prefer email because it leaves a written record of the issues discussed.

Now for good customers, or clients/suppliers that have an issue that needs to be discussed, then face to face is best. Telephone is a poor substitute for either email or an actual meeting.

I've noticed that lots of people call in business when they want to say something that they are not willing to put into writing.

Like, in a negotiation they will state their official position in an email. Then, they'll call the float something like: "we might be willing to consider XYZ" But they are really just floating it to see what sort of response they get from me. And then they can act like that was never on the table.

I like to get to the point, and I like it in writing. Phone calls involve too much small talk, and too much posturing.

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Is it just me who finds this unprofessional and bothersome?

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What kind of phone calls are we talking about here? Someone trying to buy something from me or someone trying to talk me into buying something from them?

If it's the latter, you either catch me by the phone or you don't catch me at all. If it's the former then it's a different conversation all together.

I'm in sales so I return all calls good or bad in a timely manner.

I return all calls and work hard to understand those who are unable/unwilling to so same. I tend to view encounters as interview moments, though not looking for such given my age, and right or wrong I tend to see through that lens.

Usually, ill call and then follow up with an email so there is some sort of timeframe established.

If there is no response and its urgent the email chain gets forwarded up the chain so the other parties can see what is going on.

Unless I have an active procurement issue ongoing, frick returning salesperson's phone calls.

That's THEIR job to get a hold of me. Show up, I'll usually see them.

When I need something from a salesperson, I contact them.

If it's a peer or industry-related, I always return calls/emails/texts in a timely manner.

The same is true of my employees, I always respond promptly to their messages.

Have to admit, I have refused to call back a few vendors. They were selling equipment totally out of our scope of operations.

If they didn't do the leg work by looking at our web site, then I'm not going to bust my arse to call them back. Way way way out of the scope. Know your customer, don't use me as your original source of information.

And as I said before, don't forget to leave your NAME when you call.

They're just not that into you, bro.

I was busy banging the secretary, your call can wait until tomorrow.