What is the Best Time for Follow Up Calls?

[Tash]

Hi everyone.

I was just wondering when you all do your follow up calls? I mean what time of day and which days? I find I don't want to get people at dinner time but for those who have kids I also don't want to get them at bath or bed time. I have some calls to make and I keep putting it off trying to find the best time....problem is I can't seem to figure out when that is?

Help!
Tash

 

[WendyAebi]

I call between 7:00 and 8:00 on weeknights and occasionally on Sunday afternoons or the 7-8 slot on Sunday night.

 

[pampered1224]

Same hereI usually have the best luck on Sunday evenings between 6 and 8 p.m.
I only do weeknight calling if it has been prearranged what with school stuff and whatnot, it seems no one is ever home anymore during the week.

 

[chefbilyeu]

Tash,
I've been a consultant for 2 years, and I still hesitate calling due the wondering what the best time to call is. Does anyone think that after 8 is too late? Is 4pm too early? I make the calls usually during the day, when I have the time, but any help in what the best time to call at night would be so that I could actually talk to a person would be great!

 

[WendyAebi]

I do think that after 8 is too late, but that's based on my family's situation right now. My husband gets up at 4 a.m. so he's in bed by 9:00 or 9:30. I wouldn't mind a friend calling at 8:30 or even 8:45, but I got a call last week from another direct sales rep at 9:35. Sorry, I just think that's too late to be calling when you're selling something. Even if a friend called me that late, she better be telling me something important.

Also, families with young kids--mine are 5 and 3--are doing baths & bedtime stuff and a phone call in the middle of that can really throw a monkey wrench into your evening. When they pick up the phone thinking, "Who is this and what do they want?! " they are significantly less likely to book a party or say yes to whatever you're calling about.

 

[cookerup]

Not after 9 PMI don't usually get home from work until after 5 o'clock, so by the time I visit with my husband, make supper, clean up, check the mail, etc, it is at least 7 PM, sometimes later, depending what is all going on. I try to make my calls between 7:30 and 8:30, but no later than 9:00. Since telemarketers can't call people after 9:00, I feel that is a good rule of thumb for all of us. And I usually ask if it is a good time. If not I offer to call back at a more convenient time.

 

[Tash]

Thanks for your input guys.
I see it does seem to be a common problem.

Wendy, you are right, I have a 15 month old and I hate getting calls when I am busy with his nightly routine. Also in our house we eat a little later than most families I know, so I never know if earlier or later is better.
I always ask if now is a good time but I think if you realllly get them at a bad time, the damage has been done, and even though you call back at a better time, they are still remembering how "inapropriate" you last call's timing was.

Perhaps there is no "right" time for everyone.

tash