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VIP October 2020

Calling vendors...

Kelly, on July 3, 2019 at 3:26 PM Posted in Planning 0 13

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I get that vendors wanting to call clients is totally normal but my manager at work is not normal. He gets way passed reason when we take personal calls of any sort so I really don't feel comfortable calling them.
He's already yelled at my coworker who has a special needs child and takes calls from his doctor and my other co-worker with cancer trying to get a doctor's appointment!
Is there a polite way to tell vendors I really have to email them instead of call? I feel bad doing it but I can't piss off my manager either.

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13 Comments

Latest activity by Courtney, on July 4, 2019 at 2:35 PM

Super May 2020
Michaela · on July 3, 2019 at 3:30 PM
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I don't think it's rude to say that your preferred communication form is through email. Then if someone does call you can let them go to voicemail and call them back on your break or after work
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Dedicated October 2019
Jennifer · on July 3, 2019 at 3:31 PM
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I'm sorry, that's totally unreasonable of your manager :/ I'm sure your vendors will understand if you say that you prefer email, or phone calls only during (whatever hours you aren't at work).
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Devoted July 2020
Candice · on July 3, 2019 at 3:31 PM
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If they really want your business then they'll email you or call outside of your work hours as long as you tell them. So far I've only had one vendor want to call me and they agreed to call me back in the late evening when I told them my schedule constraints.
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VIP May 2020
Destiny · on July 3, 2019 at 3:34 PM
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I always say email only on a response because that way i have EVERYTHING in writing
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Champion June 2019
Gen · on July 3, 2019 at 3:35 PM
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I think you could definitely tell them you prefer email, or to speak on the phone after business hours. You can't step out of your office to take a phone call if necessary though? I know my boss wouldn't care if I took some personal calls in the office but I still always step out when I do so... I just feel like it's weird to have personal calls when my coworkers can hear me lol.
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VIP October 2020
Kelly · on July 3, 2019 at 3:47 PM
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No we have security and I'd need to bring ID badge ect to step outside, plus Verizon is next door to us and puts a signal blocker on the area so there's no cell phone reception unless you leave the property entirely which would require taking my car. It's a mess
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Master May 2019
Chandra · on July 3, 2019 at 3:51 PM
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I dont see any harm letting vendors know you have a very limited timeframe in which you can speak on the phone. And like Gen said, emails have the perk of having everything in writing! I dealt with our vendors almost exclusively over email. The only one I spoke on the phone with was our DOC to go over final things.
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Master October 2021
Sexypoodle · on July 3, 2019 at 4:30 PM
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You just listed the reasons why you need your vendors to email you. I’m sure they would understand that. I’m certain they don’t want their clients getting fired.
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Devoted November 2019
Zoe · on July 3, 2019 at 4:47 PM
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I have a job where I literally cannot take my phone into work with me, so all my communication has to be through email and its worked out fine. It's actually nice to have a paper-trail of all the conversations if I'm every unsure of anything.
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Expert June 2019
MrsJohansson · on July 3, 2019 at 4:50 PM
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Just tell them you cannot take personal calls between x and x but you can be reached more quickly through email or by phone outside of hours. Strongly urge you to request email only in case there is an issue down the road.
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VIP October 2019
Jessica · on July 3, 2019 at 5:24 PM
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I did most of my communication through email so I would have a paper trail and could easily keep track of things. I would just say you can't take personal calls at work and can you schedule things outside of work hours or communicate via email.
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Super October 2020
Jennifer · on July 3, 2019 at 11:15 PM
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Email is totally acceptable. My vendors have all been great about using email instead of telephone. I work in an office, making it so difficult to talk on the phone Monday-Friday.
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Master December 2019
Courtney · on July 4, 2019 at 2:35 PM
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My vendors didn't mind when I said to email me instead. Where my office is located I get no reception in the building. That way I could at least keep an eye on my email and call when I go outside for lunch.
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