Why have a business email address if no-one responds!?

**Ms Piggy** · 18th September 2009, 15:36

Okay, so some of you know I am on an ongoing quest to find a helmet for my mutant head. See: http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/sh...post1129378258

On Sunday I emailed a couple of central Wellington motorbike shops to find out what brand of helmet they stock. I live in Lower Hutt and didn't want to come into town on Saturday if the shops have what is available out near home.

Speedy reply 1st thing Monday from shop #1. No response from shop #2. So a few days later I went back on shop #2's site to check there wasn't an alternative email address - nope there's not. I'm a busy person at work, it's very rare for me to get 5 minutes to make a personal phone call and I also prefer email and if a business offers this as a means of communication then I feel I should be able to expect a response.

I decide to phone shop #2 today - friendly voice on the phone - I explain that I had emailed them and had no response to date, what email address asks he, the only 1 on your website says I. Ah, yeah Carl, who has the only email address on their site, is on holiday in Rarotonga (how nice for him) and then he says: "...but you can contact us by phone".

You know what mate with an attitude like that you stick your helmets!!

I am sick to death of smart arsed sales assistance who think they have a right to try and put me in my place cos I expect to get a service that's offered, i.e. a reply to my email enquiry.

If your company have an email address on their website then shouldn't the person it belongs to (at the very least) activate 'out of office' message so that customers (which is what I could've been) know they won't get a quick response?? And maybe in future you should have an alternative email address. Oooo or I know, I know - not be a smart arse to potential customers! And then he obviously assumed that I wanted a cheap crappy helmet for a scooter!!

Rant over! As you can see I've had a tough work week...

**vifferman** · 18th September 2009, 15:44

I agree.
I think lots of businesses have email addresses and/or websites, just to prove they're up with the play, part of the 21st Century, etc., when really it's mere tokenism.
While the phone is often the quickest way to get hold of someone, it's not always the most convenient for various reasons, like not being able to make a toll call, different time zones, it being clearer to write down what you require than explain it to someone (particularly if English isn't the first language for you and/or them).

**slofox** · 18th September 2009, 15:54

I reply to all emails that I receive through my work email address...even those that reckon my willy needs enlarging. I usually say.."OOooooo! WOW! I always wanted a bigger donger! How much bigger will it make it? Can you come round here and show me yours so I can see how well it works????"

Funnily enough, I don't often get a reply to that....

**MadDuck** · 18th September 2009, 16:19

Originally Posted by Ms Piggy

And then he obviously assumed that I wanted a cheap crappy helmet for a scooter!!

What an absolute wanker.....nice rant MsP

**Jonno.** · 18th September 2009, 18:08

Exactly. I would rather go to coleman's take an extra twenty minutes to go to Coleman's because they actually answer my emails

**Mom** · 18th September 2009, 18:14

Doesn't that piss you off!

Bet you want a pink one (helmet, you rudies) too doncha, doncha?

**Owl** · 18th September 2009, 18:42

Totally agree Ms Piggy!

I recently e-mailed a business to enquire about an advertised air compressor, to which I had no response.

I happened to venture into that shop a few weeks later for an $18 purchase and mentioned I'd just spent over $1200 on a new compressor. "Oh where did you buy it? We've got a great range at really good prices. You should have come in to see us!"

"I probably would have if you'd answered my e-mail enquiry!"

I did get an apology!

**Gremlin** · 18th September 2009, 18:59

Out of Office would only exist if they had a back end that supported it. Often the bike shops are too advanced IT wise, using it more to list bikes etc.

I do agree however, if they list email addresses, they should monitor them etc.

On top of that though, you do have issues with spam filtering etc, so its possible emails could be blocked like that etc.

**Ronin** · 18th September 2009, 19:17

Originally Posted by Gremlin

Out of Office would only exist if they had a back end that supported it. Often the bike shops are too advanced IT wise, using it more to list bikes etc.

I do agree however, if they list email addresses, they should monitor them etc.

On top of that though, you do have issues with spam filtering etc, so its possible emails could be blocked like that etc.

IMHO if they have an email address then they should take the time to check their spam. I know I do.

**Gremlin** · 18th September 2009, 19:44

Originally Posted by Ronin

IMHO if they have an email address then they should take the time to check their spam. I know I do.

Not quite as simple as that... if your spam filtering system removes the email entirely, its like it never existed.

Just a heads up anyway...

**Ronin** · 18th September 2009, 19:47

Originally Posted by Gremlin

Not quite as simple as that... if your spam filtering system removes the email entirely, its like it never existed.

Just a heads up anyway...

True and a good point

**Quasievil** · 18th September 2009, 19:54

mmmmmmm I get bucket loads of emails a day from customers and I work very hard to answer them.........sometimes to very late at night, a couple of weeks ago I missed one (fuck knows why n how but I did) the guy contacted me again thankfully and I checked back to see that I fucked up.
Im so glad he didnt broadcast it live on Kiwibiker so as to get shredded by the masses !

**Quasievil** · 18th September 2009, 19:56

Originally Posted by Gremlin

Out of Office would only exist if they had a back end that supported it. Often the bike shops are too advanced IT wise, using it more to list bikes etc.

I do agree however, if they list email addresses, they should monitor them etc.

On top of that though, you do have issues with spam filtering etc, so its possible emails could be blocked like that etc.

Well so I thought to buddy, but no, here is a little trick that we used while shamefully going on holiday for a week.

http://office.microsoft.com/assistan...HA012194181033

**Skunk** · 18th September 2009, 20:28

Originally Posted by Quasievil

Well so I thought to buddy, but no, here is a little trick that we used while shamefully going on holiday for a week.

http://office.microsoft.com/assistan...HA012194181033

Cool - it's taking a week to load...