gagwhall
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Depends entirely on the business in question. I know lots of self employed plumbers and electricians who only use a mobile number for business, at least until they earn enough money to get an office, which often never happens. I don't think people are suspicious of this at all. I'd be suspicious of a bank with only a mobile number, but why on earth people would be suspicious of a tutor doing this I don't know. I would think that you must want to keep your home number private or something like that. We must live in a paranoid world if the absence of a landline is bothering people. |
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k9counsellor
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Hey Paul
Yes i would be suspicious if a business didn't have a landline number but only because both my daughter and a friend were conned by people who only gave a mobile number.
Both of them called the mobile numbers they had, someone came out, one was a plumber, the other one a mechanic. They did what they were supposed to do, got paid (A lot of money because it was emergency repair jobs) and when they tried to contact the persons, found out that they couldn't get in touch with the mobile numbers. These people had simply switched off or changed their SIM cards for all we know. Whatever they could not be traced. Turned out that neither had done the job right and it costs both, my daughter and my frieend, more money to get someone out to fix what those two men had done wrong.
So i guess other people may have been conned too, know of others who have and thus prefer to call a landline number. You see it means that a business with a landline number seems more professional. |
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alexio
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it is rather dodgy to say the least, but there are a number of other reasons. it is cheaper to call a landline, and at least u can trace a land line. if u put your land line and mobile im sure u will get more responses. good luck |
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www.hogshead.info
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definately for tutoring it does look dodgy |
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Tony R
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yes |
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SLF
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I would not just be very suspicious (it would look as though you were hiding something and didn't want to be traceable) but almost as importantly I don't want to phone a business where the call's going to cost me as much as it does to call a mobile.
Having said that, I do know of several small businesses who don't have a landline to save money, and they're quite legit, but personally I think they're misguided and it's a false economy. |
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yeah well
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yes, i would look you up in companies house next to see how long you had been trading |
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beinn99
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Yes, people do definitely prefer to call or at least see a landline. Rightly or wrongly this tells people that you are at least fairly reliable. A landline creates the idea of an office, whereas as a mobile is more for wheeling and dealing.
Personally, I do not like calling mobiles for that reason and also resent the fact that I will be paying a premium rate to contact someone for business, particuarly in your case where they are ringing you to offer work.
For my business I bought a Phillips faxjet 375 (others will do the same job) and this allows me to redirect calls to my mobile, as well as any messages. I can also call it from outside and ask it for messages. Basically, I can be in control of my communications and do not need to be concerned about missing any vital calls.
Hope that helps |
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dieleja1
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absolutely. the landline number is easier to trace, so it gives more impression of stability , therefore a reason to trust. and it is much cheaper to call a landline number - at least where I live |
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martinsbits2000
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As a self employed appliance engineer,i rely on calls coming through on my mobile as im on the road so much.I did find that calls were slow coming in at first 2yrs ago,but it picked up once people got to know and understand that there was a reliable service waiting on the other end.Now i dont use a landline and receive about 30 calls a day.Stick with it for a while it will work out for you.Alternativly try call divert from landline to mobile and tell customers to then use the mobile next time they call.GOOD LUCK... |
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anchan
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Of course, it depends on the type of business! I would expect a company or office based business to have a landline, however in your case (tutoring) if the only landline is your home number it would be sensible not to use it in advertising! It would be more assuring to your clients to have a landline, but you need to protect yourself too - there are some funny people out there! Why not get an additional landline for home, purely for your business? |
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arseantlers
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I would say yes, it just has that "fly by night" thing about it. Here's a suggestion. If you land line is a BT one you can now get it to text you if you have voicemail and with the one mobile number you have dial into it to check messages too... worth using that. |
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Shirl
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Yes of course i would |
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busybody12
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Keep the landline. It gives the impression of stability. |
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jack
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I would never use a company without a lind line telephone number. It sounds dodgy to say the least. Any respectable firm would have a landline...... Consumer programmes on the TV warn about this all the time.... |
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K38
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Very. Why not put both numbers on your card and have an answer phone message on your landline explaining that you are always contactable on _state mobile number_. Maybe that will help. |
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R.I.P.
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I would, yes. Keep your landline number in your advert. |
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dianafpacker
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I understand why you put your mobile number on, but most people including me do feel a bit more assured if a landline number is on there, you feel they must have a stable base of operations? |
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Ladyfromdrum
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I would be very suspicious.
I never answer advertisements without landline numbers. |
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myothernewname
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I have 4 cell phones in my house, I also use Yahoo Phone in and Phone out, No reason to have a landline. Just smart to save money where ya can |
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crowbar
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Yes I would find it suspicious. I would expect to see both in a genuine advert. |
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Lee J
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Why tell people it is a landline vs. cell phone no.? |
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netnew
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could be true but many small business mey not be able to afford |
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Emma Chizzett
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A landline number means traceability. With only a mobile number you could be any jack-the-lad |
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luvaduck
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PERSONALY I WOULD NOT HAVE ANYTHING TO DO WITH A BUSINESS WITHOUT A BONIFIDE BUSINESS ADDRESS OR TELEPHONE NUMBER |
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Ridder
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The nice thing about having a mobile number is that you are available. This increases your level of service by a signficant margin. Many people with whom I work are so busy that they have landlines, but rarely use them. I am with you; I use a TREO 650 which is a hybrid phone/computer, which is essential in my business. As a consideration, use your landline and mobile number in your ad, and see if your calls increase. People love choices--and I bet they choose the mobile! Good luck. |
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vickie g
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Absolutely Not!!
I live in Florida, and it is very common for small businesses to list a mobile phone number. My last employer only had one land line, and the fax machine kept that # tied up alot.
I personally think it's a coincidence, but if it's got you worried, you may sleep better if you make a change. |
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Bymble
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I would be cautious of any business with just a mobile, especially one relating to personal contact like tutoring. A landline implies an address, a physical place to visit if something goes wrong. This adds to an enquirers sense of safety. A mobile may be untraceable - its easy to change mobiles and thus avoid comeback from disatified customers. |
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Roxy
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You could put your landline number on and divert it to your mobile - that's what I do when I'm out of the office.
I think a landline number is always reassuring. |
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