What are your thoughts on ... The PHONE?

[Gloryhound]

everything I do is (as a buyer) is listed on the paypal invoice. In many states, emails and private messages are not admissible in a court of law because you can not guarantee the person on the other end. However when a person accepts a paypal with written conditions attached, this is different.

I agree with the paypal thing. When I send an invoice to someone for them to pay I put the details right there. At that time if they don't like something they can just not pay. If I'm the buyer and the invoice does not have any of this then I add it on, if the seller doesn't agree, they can hit the refund button just as easily.

I've seen some E-mail trails get messy. Also it doesn't take a rocket scientist to doctor an E-mail before printing or posting it on some message board. I like to talk to the people I buy from on the phone or in person as well as the people I sell to. To me it helps me figure out if the person I am buying from is really into the animals or just turning them out for money and also gives me a better chance to know who I am selling to and with some new people starting in the hobby you can better steer them in a direction that makes sure they are still happy with their selection years down the road, depending on their goals.

[kellysballs]

I HATE the phone. Not that I hate talking to people ( I love to talk) I just hate that it rings constantly all day every day. I have 3 jobs including the snakes and I work independently on all my jobs so I have people calling me all the time.

I will talk to some one on the phone if they want me to. I just prefer to communicate via email or text. I like having a "paper trail" for transactions so I can go back and look at the specifics if I need too. As a buyer I will 100% use email, pm or text if I am not making a purchase in person. I feel like I can get my thoughts in order easier that way. As a seller I prefer emailing because I have all the info I need like feeding, hatch date, "pedigree" ect. at my finger tips. If I am talking to you on the phone 80% of the time I am driving between jobs or working (at the store or on Kelly's Balls) or inbetween classes.

I plan on in the future having a land line phone specifically for Kelly's Balls. That way If a customer does prefer a phone call I can have a line totally seperate for them.

[kellysballs]

I HATE the phone. Not that I hate talking to people ( I love to talk) I just hate that it rings constantly all day every day. I have 3 jobs including the snakes and I work independently on all my jobs so I have people calling me all the time.

I will talk to some one on the phone if they want me to. I just prefer to communicate via email or text. I like having a "paper trail" for transactions so I can go back and look at the specifics if I need too. As a buyer I will 100% use email, pm or text if I am not making a purchase in person. I feel like I can get my thoughts in order easier that way. As a seller I prefer emailing because I have all the info I need like feeding, hatch date, "pedigree" ect. at my finger tips. If I am talking to you on the phone 80% of the time I am driving between jobs or working (at the store or on Kelly's Balls) or inbetween classes.

I plan on in the future having a land line phone specifically for Kelly's Balls. That way If a customer does prefer a phone call I can have a line totally seperate for them.

I don't want this to deter any one from calling if that's what they prefer or they just want to talk. Like I said I don't ever mind talking to people I just get overwhelmed sometimes and I was just answering the question. I have been told that email is not as personal and I should conduct more business on the phone. But I still prefer email.

[Blue Apple Herps]

I don't mind the phone, and can be nice to work out quick details as opposed to back and forth emailing over days or weeks. However, even if I work out a deal over the phone, I'll send an email just confirming everything we discussed and get a definitive response before proceeding. Just as others have said, to have a paper trail.

If something goes wrong and all you have is a phone conversation, then it becomes a "he said, she said" game.

[Freakie_frog]

If my customer wants to talk on the phone, I welcome the call or email. However I don't feel inclined to call them to answer questions, I'm more than willing to answer calls but not willing to be the one to initiate calling.