Optimal Customer Service Call Times: Tips and Recommendations

[ginamkiely]

Hey everyone, just wanted to see what time you make your customer service calls until? It's 8pm here and I think it's too late am I crazy? I also don't want to call while people are eating around 5-6, what should I do?

TIA!

 

[pamperedgirl3]

I usually make my calls from 7-8 unless the customer specifically says on the order form to call after 8. But I know some people who make calls until 9. I guess it depends on how late your customers consider too late to be. I would ask when you call if it's a good time.

 

[Kitchen Diva]

I find between 7 and 8:30 are the best time to call. I'm normally eating supper around 6:30 because that is when chubby hubby comes home from work- so I don't call before 7:00...gotta run, I taught the kitten how to play fetch and I'm not throwing the toy, and she's getting irritated.

 

[pamperedposey]

I used to have no problem calling people until 8:30 at night. Now that it's dark so early it feels so late even at 6:30. I stress about people feeling like I am invading there personal time. I know it's not too late, but I am always afraid of making someone mad.

 

[ginamkiely]

I used to have no problem calling people until 8:30 at night. Now that it's dark so early it feels so late even at 6:30. I stress about people feeling like I am invading there personal time. I know it's not too late, but I am always afraid of making someone mad.

that's my problem too!! i stress calling because i don't to bother people, even if they ask me to call. lol

 

[wadesgirl]

I get home from work at 4 so if I know people who I can get ahold at that time, I'll make calls until 5. Then in the evening, I try to start at 7 and work until 9 if needed. I've never heard from anyone who was mad when I called that late. I've had a few moms who ask me to call that late cause the kids are in bed.

 

[KellyTheChef]

I will usually call until 9. I am really trying to get in the habit of asking two things (1) is there a number I can reach you at during the day and (2) HOW LATE can I call you? Some say 9...others say ELEVEN!! Then, I make sure that I notate how late I can call them. If I don't have a note on them, I don't call past 9:00.

ETA: Now, my problem is that Evan's bedtime is 8:00 and recently (past 2-3 months) it has taken me almost till 9:00 to get him in bed and to sleep! So...no more evening call times for me and it is killing my business!

 

[missyciccolella]

I'll call until 8:45...my kids are in bed at 8PM so that gives me plenty of time to call...I always ask if I caught them in the middle of something. If I have, I ask when I can call back - usually they are willing to chat for a couple of minutes regardless of the answer.

On the other hand, I do most of my calls during the daytime. If someone works during the day and can't be disturbed I usually get that info at our 1st meeting.

 

[AZPampered Chef]

I don't call after 8 pm because I DO NOT LIKE to get business calls after that time. That's just about the only time during the day that I get to relax.

 

[kspry]

I call up until 9 or 9:30PM, but I always start by asking if it's a good time to call.

 

[chefjwr]

I call up till 9:30 too. Often it is the only time I can catch them home.

 

[chefann]

I try to remember to ask what time's best. If I don't know, I'll call until about 8:30. If I have permission to do so, I'll call until 9:30. And when I am sitting down to make several calls, I try to sort them by call time so I don't get to an 8:30 person at 9:15.

 

[missyciccolella]

I don't call after 8 pm because I DO NOT LIKE to get business calls after that time. That's just about the only time during the day that I get to relax.

I'm sort of like that...if someone calls after 9PM they run the chance of waking my DH up...we're early birds so we get up about 5:00-5:30AM. If it were someone calling me to schedule a jewelry (or whatever) show with them I would be mad.

 

[mpkegley]

I usually do my calls from 7-8. Most people are sitting down to watch their favorite TV shows at 8:00 and don't want to be bothered. I agree that I would not want any business calls after 8. That also reminds me, yesterday morning Sprint called me to tell me that I won a free phone (yeah, right) at 8:30 in the morning. That irritates the heck out of me when I get a call like that before 9. Like everyone said, just ask when would be a good time to call and jot it down.

 

[floccies]

I call until 9pm -- unless I have their permission to call later.

As far as worrying about calling during dinner, I have had people eating dinner anywhere from 4pm until 9pm -- so trying to avoid dinner time would mean not calling. I know when we are eating we just let the machine pick up.

 

[stacywhitlow]

I don't make any calls before 10:00a during my day calls. My evening calls are between 7:00p - 9:00p.

 

[PChefPEI]

I make my calls anytime between 7 and 9. I haven't had any problems yet.

 

[pamperedgirl3]

I did recently have someone mad at me when I called at 8. I met her at a fair & when I called to talk to her, she told me that I need to call earlier during the day because her family was getting ready for bed. My problem is that so many people want to be called during the day now & I can't find the time to do it. I only like to call when it's naptime, but it's hard to get the four kids I have here asleep at the same time since 2 are under 6 months. I'm personally too tired after 8 to call & don't want to disturb people who are relaxing.

 

[kspry]

someone mad at me when I called at 8

That's the thing, people have different schedules and work nights, days, evenings. So I have to ask if it's a good time. I'm no mind reader.

If I am randomly calling, I try after 8pm first, because so many people are HOME then, and I'm relaxed and smiling. If I call between 6-7PM they are busy with dinner, or out at meetings with older kids until 8-8:30pm.

If I have a best time to contact, I use that, of course...why do I forget to ask that when I first talk to them?