Mumsnet Talk

Got a number of a business associate of mine to give a call to her client as they might need my services. Spoke on Sat, well left a voicemail, than she called back and left a voicemail too as I didn't hear it. she said it would be great to have a chat in the evening. that was early-ish afternoon.

at 6ish I texted her that I would only be able to talk after 8.30pm and asked whether it's not too late. No response, OK I thought. she's busy. Then at 7.30pm I texted again saying I actually finished earlier and can call now but asked what she prefers. No response. I know there were some issues with the network she was on so I assumed that was it.

I thought she'd get in touch on Monday and I didn't want to bombard with trying to get through to her. Called just now on the work number, someone who sounded like her picked up and claimed no memory of us speaking earlier and quickly finished our conversation. She said her name was not Jane (made up name).

1) I'm sure it was her. She's the main person in the office.
2) What the hell did I do wrong?
3) Why couldn't she just say, tahnks but no thanks, we don't need you anymore?

I think i had a lucky escape there but what else could have I done differently? . She sounded older so maybe that's it (different expectations re texting etiquette?) but still...

Got a number from...

I think I would find all that texting from you too pushy and run away screaming decide I didn't want to use you after all.

Why the urgency? Curious as to whether there is a reason you've not mentioned, which makes your behaviour more appropriate.

I would never text someone that many times when looking for them to hire me. One contact and then wait for them to respond. If no response, then ring the next day.

Your urgency is not theirs.

She said she was busy during the day and she wanted a chat in the evening. Later on I realised I could only do it at 8.30pm, which is late. That's why I texted to check whether it was OK to call at that time. An hour late I realised I could call then at a time which was slightly more appropriate. Don't see what's wrong with that.

It wasn't my urgency. They need someone to manage sth in their office as the person who was doing it fell ill. she said she wanted to chat in the evening in her voicemail, I texted her then to check whether it was OK to call.

That's your problem. You don't see what's wrong with bombarding someone with texts.

Why didn't you just ring her? She could always let you go to answerphone. I HATE it personally when someone texts asking if they can ring - why don't they just bloody phone?

And why would anyone want to talk business on a Saturday evening anyway?

OK, xpost with your second. But you get the picture.

Bombarding?

So you think it's an appropriate response to never reply, esp as it wasn't a cold call, I was specifically told they were in a bit of a pickle. She said the evening, not in Mind evening or whatever. Plus pretending it wasn't her and we never spoke? That is a normal behaviour.

I wasn't sure at first, but now my verdict is YABU.

Yeah I think you were a bit text heavy too. And that's coming from someone who texts rather than phones. She's probably thinking she got a lucky escape from you!

No, it's not normal behaviour to pretend you've never spoken.

But it is also not normal behaviour to text twice in one evening. When she didn't answer the first text you should have left it until today.

Drink, don't think you bombarded her (if I read your OP correctly, you sent her 2 text messages) - I am in financial services and would have done the same thing (if, as in this case, it was a referral rather than a 'cold call').

Clearly she's had a change of heart and is incapable of communicating this!!!

I think you've had a lucky escape and would forget about her.

I think by the time you'd sent two texts you could have called. I wouldn't have sent the texts personally or expected them as a potential customer.

could you explain why, bilboa?

I was doing her a favour. I do bedtime ain the evenings, not have business calls and esp not on Sats.

You didn't reply why you think her behaviour was acceptable pretending it wasn't her. She could've just said we don't need your services or such like. If it was her colleague, she would've taken a message or passed the phone to her.

By your responses you could think I abused her and committed some unforgivable deadly sins.

YABU because you don't get that HER perception of the multiple-texting might have been different from yours and put her right off.

If it was the same person answering the phone when you called today then yes, it's distinctly odd of her to pretend not to be her, but:
- you don't know it was the same person, and
- I might have been tempted to do that just to get rid of you. (Though I wouldn't have the nerve to actually do it).

Would you really want to work for someone as idiotic as her?

I'm betting that she sorted something out, realised she can't afford it or changed her mind, but has no balls to actually tell you that.

I don't think you were too pushy, even though I am pretty dire on calling people (hate it sometimes), I'd have done as you have done.

Texting potential clients is unprofessional.

I couldn't call so I texted to say I can call but quite late. Are you saying I should've just not let her know that? I thought she was waiting for me call so wouldn't you say it would be rude not to tell her I cant call now???

mynewpassion - nonsense. I am extremely professional.

I have never lost a client where we have played 'telephone tag' and I have felt it easier to text them and let them know a good time to talk (especially if it's out of 'normal office hours').

Drink, I really wouldn't give it anymore thought - chalk it up to 'there's naught as queer as folk'!!

Why couldn't you call if you could text? Does your phone only text?

My new passion - try a screaming toddler.

Or I could've been in a meeting that over run, or delayed train full if drunken people or had a sudden diarraheaa, take your pick. There is plenty of situations when texting is possible And Not calling. in this case, I thought i'd call her on the way home but DD decided to have an almighty meltdown instead of sitting quietly in her buggy. Is it alright by you?

I hate texts in business, maybe that makes me old (34), she was odd pretending not to be herself though

odd.

unless it really wasn't her. i would leave it tbh and i don't think you did anything wrong.