Good advice.everest said:
Avery - your experience with SPs calling out of the blue is not uncommon.
In the past, before I found a "regular SP", I used to phone SPs only when in the mood and when I knew I would be available (which meant usually within the next couple hours). I'd phone SPs in order of my preference - if they weren't there or if I got their voicemail I'd simply hang up and move to the next one on the list.
TOO MANY occasions SPs called me back later - even though I didn't leave a message. Sometimes they called only a few minutes after I called (perhaps they were screening calls), sometimes hours later (obviously got my number from their logs). Sometimes they left voicemail messages for me if I didn't answer.
At the time I used "borrowed" cell phones from clients so this was a potential serious problem for me. My clients wanted to be able to get hold of me at all hours while I was on assignment or out in the field for them (which is why I kept refusing to get my own cell phone!).
I wasn't comfortable calling SPs from my home or from some of the businesses out of which I sometimes worked. So I broke down and bought my own cheap "dedicated pooner" pay-as-you-go cell phone from FIDO. SPs can now call me at any time and leave messages whenever they want because I never forward it and I never lend it to anyone. I rarely turn my pooner phone on except when I'm expecting a call from an SP, when I want to check for messages, or when I want to make an outgoing call (to an SP
). No more problems.Here's a few simple rules I recommend for clients:
1. Don't rely on any SP for your discretion - unless you've known her form some time.
2. If you call and don't get through to the SP, make sure you ALWAYS leave a message. Either tell her NOT to call you back or tell her WHEN to call back. If you tell her WHEN to call back, let her know if she can or can not leave a message for you.
2. If you call and get through, tell her IF and WHEN she can call you back, and also IF she can leave voicemail messages for you.
3. If you're using your home phone, ALWAYS tell them not to call you back under any circumcstances. Even if you're single, your rich aunt/poor nephew may take that opportunity to spring a surprise visit.
4. If you use a work or cell phone, NEVER forward the phone and NEVER give anyone else access to your voicemail.
5. If possible, get a dedicated pooner phone if you can't accept the risk that some SPs might call you on your regular cell or at home/work. Cheap price for peace of mind.
Now, any sweet young thing that wants to call me and leave sexy messages on my voice mail is welcome to do so. In fact, the more explicit the message, the better.
