I consider myself to be an outstanding American citizen/patriot! The Golden Rule has always been a great guide for me in all of life. But recently, I've been more stubborn and wondered what you guys thought about all those marketing calls you're getting to your wash?
At the carwash my caller ID will show many 800-number calls or other out-of-town calls which are usually always telemarketers or merchant account services companies wanting me to switch over to their system. I rarely ever pick up such telephone calls when I've ID's them as out-of-town. Most recently I've gotten five calls from various local radio stations and TV stations/marketing people from their sales reps kindly asking me for a call back to schedule time for them to show me their rates or listen to their great deals on radio promotions which their company can offer my business to supposedly boost sales, etc. The thing is...I find myself these days so busy w/ more important things to attend to, and I've begun to "blow these guys off" and not return their calls.
Do you guys make it a point to "do the right thing" and be courteous and give these people a call back or have you become tired of being asked to spend money you don't have in an economy where people haven't much disposable income to even respond to such ads right now?!!
How do you guys handle the seemingly increasing number of calls to your business from so many "marketers" and advertisers nowadays where they ask for a return call? Are you sick of them bothering you or do you see them as just like you and me and trying to make a living and people who deserve the kind respect of a call back? I guess I'm feeling guilty right now 'cause I used to ALWAYS call these people back but now, not so much. Thanks. - Carl
At the carwash my caller ID will show many 800-number calls or other out-of-town calls which are usually always telemarketers or merchant account services companies wanting me to switch over to their system. I rarely ever pick up such telephone calls when I've ID's them as out-of-town. Most recently I've gotten five calls from various local radio stations and TV stations/marketing people from their sales reps kindly asking me for a call back to schedule time for them to show me their rates or listen to their great deals on radio promotions which their company can offer my business to supposedly boost sales, etc. The thing is...I find myself these days so busy w/ more important things to attend to, and I've begun to "blow these guys off" and not return their calls.
Do you guys make it a point to "do the right thing" and be courteous and give these people a call back or have you become tired of being asked to spend money you don't have in an economy where people haven't much disposable income to even respond to such ads right now?!!
How do you guys handle the seemingly increasing number of calls to your business from so many "marketers" and advertisers nowadays where they ask for a return call? Are you sick of them bothering you or do you see them as just like you and me and trying to make a living and people who deserve the kind respect of a call back? I guess I'm feeling guilty right now 'cause I used to ALWAYS call these people back but now, not so much. Thanks. - Carl
With your help I've decided NOT to call back those people because you're right...I didn't ask for their sales call and besides, from my experience, many of these people will get "pushy" once I call back and some INSIST that they at least be able to drop by to meet me and to "drop off some literature", etc. This only burns more of my precious time when I can be working for myself to further my business the ways I need to. I just deleted those people's voicemail messages, and I feel better about it and not guilty at all 'cause I didn't ask for their 
