Would you have a concern about using a landscape company if you called and they had a voicemail recording ?

Question

Why or why not?

And how long would you give them in your mind before you felt they were being unprofessional and you should call someone else instead?

I am a landscaper and I just feel such anxiety about calling people back, I dont know why!

I think it is just anxiety!


So how long after you left a message would you give them before you felt like it had been to long?

Answer 1

I would think it's a small business, perhaps only one person and that he or she chooses not to answer their phone when actually working for a customer. When I pay someone to do a job for me I expect them to spend the time I'm paying them getting on with the job, not setting up the next job.
A voicemail message to reflect this would be a bonus as far as I am concerned.
Any message from a customer should be followed up the same day, in the evening is necessary.

Answer 2

I would not be concerned. I work for a roofing contractor and we don't have a voice mail but we deal with other contractors/roofing contractors that have a voice recording. Alot of small businesses around my town have them. When you have a small business such as landscaping and the owner maybe has 5-6 guys working for him and he gets a request for an estimate he usually walks the job himself so he either has to pay someone to sit around all day and answer phones or gets a recorder. It's not a big deal. Just make sure you check your messages often. Alot of people don't like to wait around for people to call them back several hours later. Try to return your calls as soon as possible the same day.

Answer 3

I would not use a landscaping company with a voice mail recording. If you have anxiety about calling people, perhaps you could hire someone to answer your calls and then respond to their questions for you. That would give you more time to do your work without a lot of interruptions.
Regarding response time, that depends upon the problem. I would say probably respond the same day.

Answer 4

Voicemail out here in SoCal is the norm and we expect it. Almost everyone with a cell phone who is out in the field, busily giving estimates or serving clients uses voicemail. I use landscape companies all the time to plan & replant gardens, trim my trees, cut back my hillside plants and clear my hillside for fires. For my rentals, I have a contracted company servicing on a weekly basis. If they don't call me back by the end of business the day I call, I move on to the next one, if it is for my home. I get a little ticked and think it is poor customer service if my contracted landscaper doesn't return my call in a couple of hours. Sometimes it is an emergency, like the sprinklers won't turn off and I need help pronto! Just picture the caller to whom you are returning the message in their underware, a smile will come to your face and the anxiety will melt away.

Answer 5

I would do my best to NOT use voicemail...you could always list an alternative contact (the cell phone you carry with you) I just think it's a bit more professional to have the phone answered - though you wouldn't think it calling anywhere.

You should respond to your voice mail messages as soon as possible, but if you want their business, one day at the longest.

I'm not sure I understand your call back anxiety. They wouldn't be phoning you if there wasn't the potential to offer you work.

You need to be at ease with your talents in landscaping or that may be your downfall!

Good luck!

Answer 6

I answered your earlier question.. I didn't realize that you WERE a landscaper..

Here's my take on your question:

If someone leaves word on your machine RETURN THEIR CALL THAT DAY! They had enough faith to call you, you need to have the COURTESY to call them back. If you're gonna be in business, you're going to have to get over that call-back anxiety. Competitive business is NOT for the shy. Eager competitors will eat your lunch if you let them.

Answering machines and voice mail are a part of any small business these days and are particularly in businesses where work takes place outside of the office environment.. (like builders, plumbers, landscapers, etc..) Some folks will resist dealing with small companies because of answering machines, but it's because someone hasn't returned their phone call in the past.. maybe it was you!

If you don't want to return people's calls, turn off your answering machine. They may call you back and talk to you in person. If you don't call them back, you may never get the chance to talk to them again, or more importantly, you may never get the chance to take their money.

GET OVER THE ANXIETY or go get a job where you don't have to deal with it! Work for a wage for someone else.

Answer 7

I would hire them, but only if they called back within a two or three days. The fact that they have voice mail should not be a concern.....many people have landscaping businesses and they do their own admin so they could possibly handle all the calls they receive on a certain day, to cut back on the "busy" work.

Answer 8

I would think they were busy and at least had the decency to put a voicemail recording on (some just let you ring...argh) as long as you called me as soon as you could (no longer than a day or two) If you were to call someone back tell them who you are and let them do the talking.
They must have a job for you or they wouldn't have called!

OR ask someone else to call them on your behalf (they could pretend they were your secretary!)

Answer 9

People usually are calling to get a quote or have questions about their gardens. If you do not return a call within 24 hours, they are probably on their way to look for other people.
If you have that much anxiety, try to get an assistant (even if it's just a part time person).

Answer 10

My guess it's aa small company and folks were on the job

I would expect a call back within a couple days