Answer the Phone!

How hard can this be? Is it that businesses in Scotland don’t need clients?

Today I had to deal with the fourth company in Kirkwall that won’t answer their phone. Every time I try to call a dental office, they either (a) answer the phone (well done) but then tell me that due to NHS wait lists I have to go to a non-NHS dentist. Okay, fine, but then, (b) the dental office in question is always on lunch. Always. At least, that’s what their voicemail says. First of all, they’re not open the same number of days or the same hours in a day as at home, but come on, Elaine, you moved away from a major metropolis, of course there will be limitations. But how are they always at lunch?

Then the hair salon. No answer. Second salon, still just ringing. Third was a charm. Whew – these roots won’t hide themselves, you know.

Then a massage therapist. I called a spa within walking distance of my house. After a few times, someone picked up, and gave me the number of their massage therapist (at this salon, each individual therapist makes his/her own appointments). I tried the number they gave me a half a dozen times – just kept ringing, and ringing, and ringing. Obviously I had written the number down wrong. Called the spa back and eventually got through to a machine & left a message. They did call back to say, no there was no mistake, I had the correct number for the therapist. Kept trying. I understand that a massage therapist can’t suddenly dash off to answer the phone and leave their client lying face down on a table. Which is why answering machines exist. For the love of God, it’s 2022, get a machine! ( I gave up and found someone who does answer the phone – she’s excellent.)

Friday afternoon I started calling a local garage – my car needs a couple of things done. No answer, no machine. Grrrr. Tried again on and off all morning. Finally got in the car, drove out of town, and booked my car in for later this month. The gentleman was lovely, very accommodating. But I had to DRIVE to get my car fixed (there’s irony in there somewhere).

FFS, Alexander Graham Bell was born in Scotland. It should be in your blood – answer your damned phones.

Update: hair salon just cancelled – three staff down with COVID. Right, Miss Clairol it is.

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