to not reply by email

[softlysoftly]

Ok little thing but has annoyed me.

I manage email bookings for DH, normally booked out a week in advance. Got an email today at about 12 wanting a booking there wasn't a standard space available as we are full but they could have a choice of x prime space but vacate by a set time or y non prime space and no timeline.

Rather than start email pingpong and possibly give the wrong tone I had a manager call the given mobile number. All fine.

Then DH gets told tonight I should have responded via email not phone.

AIBU to think that twisting stuff round to accomodate and making sure they were responded to in good time and using a number given is fine? Why is not using email when not the most appropriate medium a problem?

Did they just want it all in writing so there were no misunderstandings and could refer back to what was said if needs be?

I agree it's much easier/quicker to phone and some customers might prefer the effort and personal touch, but it depends on who said you should have emailed.

If it was his boss then it's up to them how the business is run isn't it? Isn't emailing back and forth part of the job?

Oh sorry the customer said I should have emailed.

I get not everyone likes the phone and I generally reply via email but a booking 5 hrs before attendance on a Saturday that then leads to options to discuss and you give a mobile I think is tge exception to the rule?

Yeah, I see what you mean, you wouldn't expect an email to be answered back and forth in only 5 hours, especially on a Saturday.

Some people will complain about anything though as you must know through experience.

Just shrug it off, they should have made it clear if they only wanted to discuss it by email.