Calling all mobile detailers...literally :)

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imported_hockeyplaya13

New member
OK, so for those of you that operate a mobile business, what do you do about phones? Do you have a separate phone line for your business? If so, I'm assuming it's a cell phone, since you'd want to be able to take business calls when you're on the road and such, right? Or do you just use your personal cell phone? If you do that, what is your voicemail?



I'm in the process of setting up a mobile detailing service, and one of the issues is the phone issue. I have no fixed location, so if I got another phone it would obviously be a cell phone. But then I'd always be carrying two phones around, which would be kind of a pain. Also, since I don't plan to do this full time (still a college student), would it really be necessary? I want to be as professional as possible, but maybe I could just use my personal cell phone, and have my voicemail be something like "Hi, you've reached Scott Thompson of ProImage Detailing, I'm unavailable to take your call....." This would serve as a suitable voicemail for clients, but would also let friends/family/other people know that it's me. The issue with a new phone is that's an extra $40 a month, plus the cost of another phone.



Thanks
 
hockeyplaya13 said:
"Hi, you've reached Scott Thompson of ProImage Detailing, I'm unavailable to take your call....."

Thanks
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This has worked for me for the last 4 years with no problems. Just make sure any numbers that aren't stored on your phone you answer with your professional business greeting and not while your shouting seconds doing beer bongs.
 
Shaun Carollo said:
This has worked for me for the last 4 years with no problems. Just make sure any numbers that aren't stored on your phone you answer with your professional business greeting and not while your shouting seconds doing beer bongs.
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i just make sure family and friends dont block their number, if its saved it will show my family member calling and can answer accordingly. if it is blocked or unknown i answer as if were a new customer calling and use the "business voice" lol
 
OK. I can tell you what has worked for me since 1969. Dont laugh, because it works. First off, when I am working on a car during the day, there are absolutely NO interruptions ....not even from my wife unless its VERY important. I give the car I have that day my undivided attention. I do NO volume work so if someone calls that day, if they want my detail, they leave it on my voice mail on my home phone. I return all calls that night when folks are HOME. I set my schedule on a first come first serve basis. First in is first out. Now the real bomb....I DO NOT have a cell phone! Nor do I have any plans of getting one. Now thats old fashioned!!!!! OK so let me have it on business lost and the other happy hoopla that goes along with it! NO CELL PHONE. If I had one I would probably throw it out along with my last boss!!!! I did six completes last week, I didnt need my cell phone for any of them. Remember, if your good, your clients will chase your butt down.
 
I use my cell phone as both a personal and business line (same number). This allows me to actually answer the incoming calls no matter where I am. The last thing a potential customer wants to reach is a voice mail box. I know I hate it when I call a business and nobody ever answers the phone. There are some times when I don't even hear/or feel the phone ring (I've got the buffer or vac running), so sometimes they do get VM. I make it a point to promptly return calls, otherwise people will call someone else and you will loose the business for good! I have a friend who also owns a detailing business and he has two cell phones. A smart phone for personal stuff and a business basic phone. I know there is a way to get two numbers attached to one cell phone, but I think only Nextel offers the service and I wouldn't be caught be dead trying to rely on their poor network coverage.
 
mini1 said:
I use my cell phone as both a personal and business line (same number). This allows me to actually answer the incoming calls no matter where I am. The last thing a potential customer wants to reach is a voice mail box. I know I hate it when I call a business and nobody ever answers the phone. There are some times when I don't even hear/or feel the phone ring (I've got the buffer or vac running), so sometimes they do get VM. I make it a point to promptly return calls, otherwise people will call someone else and you will loose the business for good! I have a friend who also owns a detailing business and he has two cell phones. A smart phone for personal stuff and a business basic phone. I know there is a way to get two numbers attached to one cell phone, but I think only Nextel offers the service and I wouldn't be caught be dead trying to rely on their poor network coverage.
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Not if your established and have repeat customers. Waiting a few hours for a return call isn't that big of a deal unless you cater to a bunch of price shoppers.



The thing I hate (from a customer standpoint) is when I'm paying someone to do work for me and they are on the phone when they should be devoting 100% attention to my business. It can be disrespectful at times. I also hate when I'm talking with someone about business and they answer the phone. :nono
 
I have one phone, one number and a bluetooth headset. That way I can talk to customers as needed as long as I am not polishing or vacuuming.
 
personal cell phone...voicemail says"you've reach eric with envious detailing...blah blah blah"



I answer every NON saved number with "hello, this is eric..." Seems to have worked out just fine for the last 5 years.



I also am about to put on the voicemail and on my website that phone calls are returned within 2 days, but emails are returned that night! You cant respectfully call someone back at 930 at night after you finish up an all day detail fest! (like today for example for me) but I am online right now and can answer an email.



Next I just need to get internet on my phone...getting the droid pretty soon I think.
 
toyotaguy said:
personal cell phone...voicemail says"you've reach eric with envious detailing...blah blah blah"



I answer every NON saved number with "hello, this is eric..." Seems to have worked out just fine for the last 5 years.



I also am about to put on the voicemail and on my website that phone calls are returned within 2 days, but emails are returned that night! You cant respectfully call someone back at 930 at night after you finish up an all day detail fest! (like today for example for me) but I am online right now and can answer an email.



Next I just need to get internet on my phone...getting the droid pretty soon I think.
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BOOOOOOO get an iphone. credit card services, invoicing, gps turn by turn direction, paypal, it does it all
 
I've used one line for 4 years now without an issue. I have yet to put my business name in the voicemail but plan on doing it soon just to be a bit more professional. However, as was already said, if you have a good reputation and do good work, the people calling you know exactly who they're calling and why, so they could care less about what's on the voicemail.



As for cell phone vs. no cell phone I honestly think it's pointless not to have one if you can afford it. You'll get an emergency call if there is one and you can chat away with friends or clients while you're taking a break, lunch or driving home from a detail job. Those without one should really give it a shot because that's the standard now. Easy email access too if needed.



Long story short, one number is perfectly fine, and throwing the business name in the voicemail is a smart idea, especially for someone looking to build a client base.
 
I had to add a line to get a local number for my business, I've had an out-of-state personal number for years. I now carry both phones(iPhone) and the cheap work phone , I don't mind. Plus I tied in my work email to the iPhone so I can check that between jobs or during breaks! Works great for me.
 
I pay $50 a month for the Vonage business package. My business line is tied to feature called simulring.(I have handset at home, but at the exact same time my cell phone rings.) All messages - if I don't get to the phone fast enough go into my cell phone VM.
 
Awesome, thanks for the feedback so far. How exactly are you using Google Voice? If I understand correctly, I'd pay for a separate line that would give me another phone number. I would then hook that number up to Google Voice, as well as my personal cell phone. That way, whenever anyone called the business number, it would go through Google Voice to my cell phone. Correct? I can have another phone number without actually having another phone. Or does Google give you a number?
 
Get an affordable cell phone plan, and then add a line to your existing contract, this way you'll have two numbers (private, and business) and it won't be too expensive.
 
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