No payphones near you?

hi ya im in swindon iv had punter says oh sorry dont have a mobile liar every one as got one.iv been in this job about 5 years now and what i will say it you can never tell if a punter will turn up or not doesnt matter how nice they sound or if the punter given address at time of booking or when in your area i have tried it all

One of my longest standing regulars doesn't have a mobile - nor a pc, or internet. He's great, punctual, timely and upon initial booking rang from his registered landline. He accepts if there is a problem after he's set off then we won't be able to contact each other. Because he's so reliable I'm happy giving out new addresses etc as he is really 'old school', you the type.

Anyway new clients these days are a different matter. They can book from any number belonging to them, so landline or mobile. If they use a payphone to book(quick google shows these up), then I won't guarantee the booking(I find payphone/withheld etc are notorious no showers). They can ring from a nearby payphone just before appointment time but if I've not had a number from them(mobile or land) at this point they will need to show me some ID before I'll let them in the house. I have another fairly long-term infrequent chap. Doesn't want to use his new mobile number, so has to accept he might get here and no-one be in if anything crops up. He's happy with that.

Another problem I've had with chaps using payphones is that ringing a mobile from them eats up any change they have - so if they don't quite hear the instructions properly, get lost, have to phone again this has caused problems  and for both parties. So taking into account the above it's about common sense. No mobile then be prepared to prove who you are, and be straight forward.

Biggest problem larger than this,  currently is the number of guys using their mobiles to request outcalls -then saying they don't have a landline  to check, since they only need a mobile phone and get broadband either via SKY or mobile dongles.

How many times do you get a call from a landline number and go through all the info they want only to find out when you tell them to call you from outside that you find out they dont have a mobile and cant.  I know, I know I should have asked them prior to giving out all the info ie prices, if they  have a mobile but sometimes I forget and its really annoying with business being quieter that I have to knock someone back.

Personally, I will definitely not give out my full address until someone is outside the building.  So what are your thoughts girls ........................ or do you have any suggestions to get around this problem?

I just don't find many people ring from landlines - a few, but not many. If it happens, I do tell them that they have to ring me for final directions once they get to the parking place (I don't give them my address full stop), and if they say they haven't got a mobile, I'm lucky in that there's a payphone nearby which I can actually see from my window. I have the number saved in my work phone and I think it's happened twice in the two years since I moved.

I do tell them that they should be prepared just in case something has happened, because I have no way of getting in touch with them once they've set off. I can't see why they can't just get a ?10 mobile either, to be honest. You never know when you'll need a phone.

Think I'll need to put in a request for a payphone to be put in outside my  working flat - for my use only - or for perhaps Superman to get changed in !!

It's certainly given me food for thought.  I definitely wouldnt do it frequently but its something to think about.  Best suggestion actually and workable.  I hate clients seeing me in 'my civvies' but hey its not the end of the world. Thank You.

no phone - no pussy simple