If a potential customer calls your shop when you aren’t open…what do they get?
I tried this, dialing shops across the country, just to see what impression a stranger or a regular would get if they happened to call outside of business hours.
Guess what? Ringy ringy. That’s it. No friendly voice giving a nice message, no “Be sure to stop in soon; you never know what you’ll find.” Not even any curt “We’re not open now. Our hours are…”
Think about what you’d like your callers to learn even if you’re not there. Then practice, practice, practice your 30 to 45-second script until it’s warm, happy, and hi-def. Record it, and know every evening when you leave your shop, that nice friendly operator is standing by.
More on using your phone to build image, acceptance and profits.
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Auntie Kate The Resale Expert 
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Thank you for calling upscale fashions inc .our hours are mon thru sat 11-5 we are taking spring and summer clothes daily ,hope to see you soon.
you would get an awful screeching fax machine sound. 😦
Ever since we hooked up our fax/printer to our phone line it intercepts after 4 rings. and you only get our lovely voice message if you call when we are on the other line. I hate it and haven’t been able to override it, so ended up just leaving it.
My voice mail message says,
“Thank you for calling Repeat Street, Womens & Children’s Consignment Boutique. We are located at the northeast corner of Milwaukee & Washington in Gurnee. Our hours are Monday through Friday from 10am – 7 pm, Saturdays from 10am – 6 pm and Sundays from noon to 5pm.
Our web address is http://www.repeatstreet.com for information about consigning with us. We are either on the phone or with a customer, please leave us a message and we’ll return your call as soon as we can. Thank you for calling Repeat Street.”
Thank you for calling TAGs! The recycling center for adorable clothing! Located at __________. Store Hours____________.
Want to consign? Drops accepted daily or visit our website at: http://www.shoptags.net Currently accepting:
Looking forward to meeting your consignment needs here in Oakdale!
Too funny that this is the first thing I read this morning! I sent my daughter in the front door this morning so she could unlock the back door to unload my car. She comes running out scared (shes 12) because the phone is going crazy! I come in and the answering machine is beeping like crazy and I can’t figure out how to make it stop! Did you do that Kate?! And then music starts playing–only the radio isn’t on! And then it stops…and then it starts again sings Here Comes the Sun Little Darlin ( HA! I wish…it’s cold and snowing…) WHAT IS GOING ON???!!!! It stops…and starts a little while later…getting a little creeped out now…Then I find it. One of the girls left her cell phone on the break table right under the speaker!
So in case you called me, I do have a message. The phone is working now so call back anytime! 😉