Dougster

You are right and I blew it bad. This is what being old and fuzzy does to you Lone. It was probably a one in a hundred shot that: a) He believed he had called me before (He hadn't) and b) I believed him to be the idiot who had called me before from the same town (He wasn't). He even sounded and acted like the same guy (But he wasn't). Because of where my advertising is placed and other factors, I do not normally get calls for work from that town. So help me God... I thought it was that same guy I had talked to last year. I was so certain of it!

Talk about a screwy mixed up conversation. My bad... and my loss.

Dougster

irwin

You got a call, you called him back. That's about all you can do for now, later this evening call him again.
We don't know which call is important, and we don't have control over all situations, (besides it might be a pain in the ass job that'll interfer with a real money maker).

A long time ago I learned this. You do what you can, try not to make mistakes, be pleasant, what works with one client may not pay off with another, when you're done with one potential client, it's time to move onto the next one, until later.... Very important : Follow up on all contacts, because we never know where the big job is coming from, and last: learn from your's and other peoples mistakes.

Many businessmen get sloppy and forget to follow up, a lot of jobs are won by the guy that works for it.

.... Tim

Dougster

He called my cell phone Tim... while I was in heavy traffic on the highway (Boston's famed Southeast Expressway) and couldn't even write down his number without killing myself. Later I saw that his call logged as "(no number)" so I couldn't call him back. I blew it with the mix-up and he is gone for good I'm afraid.

Dougster

irwin

Oops - that does suck ( I didn't realize "no number" blocked call) arghh.

I have several opportunities every work day to screw up a call, every once in a while I handle calls flawlessly for a whole day. Sometimes I'm cranky and don't hide it very well, sometimes I'm involved in a complicated, stressful diagnosis and don't shake it off before I take the call. Then there's the times I'm eager for work and let a little desperation show. None of that matters to my happy customers, they like me and I'm honest and fair, but the new ones can vanish like a in a hurricane if they feel like I'm not professional enough.
I do get another chance when I follow up (if I have a number ).

Due to external forces business has been slow for some time, cut backs at a large company nearby and the Navy continues paring personell from the local submarine base ever since GWB took the helm of the USA, I think other states more friendly to the Republican party are getting a boost at Connecticut's expense.

I've been building clientele for many years, so I'm not hurting as bad as some, but if I was just starting out, "eek"

.... Tim

PaulChristenson

Groton's major problem is that the current war targets are NOT at sea...

When it turns out that al khaidah has subs...then the NAVY will get more of the defense pie...

Recruitment slogan - IRAQ mostly landlocked...GO NAVY...

One of Groton's reasons that it missed the cut list back in 2005, is that it has some major EPA pollution points that would have to be clean before being deactivated...i.e. currently, its more expensive to close it than keep it open...

Paul in VT

I used to own an ant farm but had to give it up. I couldn't find tractors small enough to fit it.
-- Steven Wright

Dougster

Coincidentally, the same can also be said about Dougster Industries.

Dougster

Ducati996

You will have to learn to "turn it on" in an instant and not be frazzled by the events prior to the call. You have to be able to make a 15 second, or elevator pitch at anytime or day. Its takes practice, and probably using cue cards but you can write a few things down, memorize them and close deals in the most awkward of moments. If things are really hectic then let let it go to voice mail, get your "turn it on" game face on and call them back.

Kubota L39 w/WR long RGB Grapple, Bradco Pallet forks, BH QA buckets, and more!
JD 2520, 210Cx, 46BH, 60" Box Blade-Mid West, 52" Mid West aerator, 52" first choice Tiller, 5' Fontier blade, 42" pallet forks, Green MFG PHD, Mid West York Rake w/guage wheels, Cub 3204 with Blower & Simms Cab, Mowers (44",48",50"),Ford 2006 F550 turbo diesel 4x4 w/11' mason dump, 16' 10k Doolittle trailer, Southwestern enclosed trailer, Wright Stander RH 52", Better Outdoor Product Quick 32" mower!

Dougster

My big mistake was actually answering the damn phone while on the dreaded Southeast Expressway. You are absolutely right: I should have let it go to voicemail under such circumstances, plain and simple. Probably the main reason I didn't is because I was waiting for an "early cancellation opening" call from my endodontist and I thought this might have been it. But even then, letting it go to voicemail and replying after I exited would have been much better.

Dougster

LarryRB

they should do something about these cell phones an driving, I see more fender benders and near misses than I care to think about, In CT it is a loss of license if caught without a bluetooth. And even with a bluetooth, you may have both hands on the steering wheel, doesn't mean your paying attention to driving...

"this morning I woke up with nothing to do, it is now afternoon and I have over half of it done".
Digging in hard clay is more relaxing to a worm than going fishing..

Dougster

I hate cell phones with a passion! I can't wait for the day that they get serious about banning all cell phone use in all moving vehicles. Assuming it is taken seriously and enforced, that will be the day I get back on my Harley!

I have said it before: I fully expect to die someday in a cell phone caused accident unless something serious is done to curtail their use. I have already come close more than a few times. Cell phones are worse than drunk driving in this old man's humble opinion.

Dougster