We All Need To Pickup The Phone One In A While ?

[54blackhornet]

I listed some parts in the Buy Sell Forum over the last few weeks, just some small stuff lying around that I know I will never use. When I PM someone who needs my address I always include my email and phone number, Today I got a call from Erik in Michigan and we spoke for about a half hour, I asked for information about visiting Detroit , my hometown. Just a reminder that real folks visit our great website and we should take the opportunity to talk to one another once in a while. I truly enjoyed the conversation today and will keep in touch in the future......thanks for reading my rambling....

[cdowns]

I am pretty much convinced they don't teach that in schools anymore

[chopnchaneled]

X's TWO

[67ChevyRedneck]

Or economics...

I was on the power tour all last week. Best part? Talking about cars ALL WEEK with other people that love to talk about cars.

[dubds10]

That's why when I tell my wife I've got a buyer coming over she figures she's got an hour or two to kill before I see her again haha It's hard not to talk shop or whatever it may be with others who may be like minded. Rarely do I sell or buy something in under 10 minutes. Some people though can't be bothered with it & want to deal asap.

[Tinkermc]

I do believe free speech is not an action of the present, it is not taught anywhere, pay phones have all been removed, most phone numbers are now 10 digit made for cell phone use. And last is not politically correct I'm sure. But it is real hard to beat.

[ekgguy]

You are absolutely right. Sometimes you don't even think about it. For example, I purchased a couple of original 67-68 hubcaps from a seller on eBay. They were exactly what I expected and what he represented them as and the entire transaction went well. A couple of days later, I got a call from an unknown number and they left a voicemail. It was the seller from eBay thanking me for doing business with them and asking that I keep them in mind for anything else I needed. I thought that was pretty cool. I buy a lot of things from eBay and that was the first call I had ever received. It really stuck with me too. It meant something that they called.

To make a long story short, I did call him back as he had found a couple more of the hubcaps. I bought those through eBay, and we talked for a few minutes.

It made for a very pleasant transaction / interaction. Sometimes I don't think there is enough of that.

[special-K]

I agree, but I will say I have always been terrible with "making" phone calls. I don't know what it is. It's like it's some sort of phobia. Yet, if you call me I am more than happy to have a conversation and I enjoy it. If I bump into you I'll change my plans and hang out as long as you can. I know it's hard to believe by knowing me from here, but I'm pretty much a keep to myself kind of guy. Finding this forum reminded me that I enjoy communicating through writing. I had become all but illiterate before finding this site.

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by special-K

I agree, but I will say I have always been terrible with "making" phone calls. I don't know what it is. It's like it's some sort of phobia. Yet, if you call me I am more than happy to have a conversation and I enjoy it. If I bump into you I'll change my plans and hang out as long as you can. I know it's hard to believe by knowing me from here, but I'm pretty much a keep to myself kind of guy. Finding this forum reminded me that I enjoy communicating through writing. I had become all but illiterate before finding this site.

Me, too.

I hate the phone and I have the worst time picking up the phone to make a call. It interrupts what I am doing, both on the receiving end and on the sending end.

I much prefer email and/or posting.

K

[Ol Blue K20]

I have made more than a few friends across the country because of this site. Usually starts with a classified ad and a phone call.

[LockDoc]

-
Well, what can I say, I'm a talker. If you get me started talking shop you may have to finally tell me to shut up....... I get quite a few calls about old locks and keys from guys (and gals) that have found my name and number on the internet. I have become good friends with a few of them and the same is true for this board...... I don't have any problem talking on the phone (until my battery goes dead).... but would rather visit in person.

LockDoc

[54blackhornet]

Thanks guy's it means a lot knowing this subject made some stop and think how much technology is changing things !

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by ekgguy

You are absolutely right. Sometimes you don't even think about it. For example, I purchased a couple of original 67-68 hubcaps from a seller on eBay. They were exactly what I expected and what he represented them as and the entire transaction went well. A couple of days later, I got a call from an unknown number and they left a voicemail. It was the seller from eBay thanking me for doing business with them and asking that I keep them in mind for anything else I needed. I thought that was pretty cool. I buy a lot of things from eBay and that was the first call I had ever received. It really stuck with me too. It meant something that they called.

To make a long story short, I did call him back as he had found a couple more of the hubcaps. I bought those through eBay, and we talked for a few minutes.

It made for a very pleasant transaction / interaction. Sometimes I don't think there is enough of that.

I agree with this and almost everything in this thread. But, here it comes,
there is the other side of the coin.
I bought a new (expensive 4 me) set of wheels and tires last week for my dually project Homer. Man I texted the guy back and forth and finally suggested we speak on the phone. We did. all was well. I went to look at the rims/tires and wanted to go home first and measure (check internet) to make d*mm sure I didn't buy something I couldn't use. (not that I've ever done that). They would work, so arranged (text) to go by the next evening to consummate our deal. Loaded the tires and went home. As soon as I got home I had to bolt two on so I could be absolutely sure they fit. They did. All is well. I sent the seller a text thanking him and telling him I appreciate the fair deal and NOTHING. No response what so ever. Now I didn't expect him to be my pal, but it does kinda rankle me a bit.
Even on this site it happens.
Guy will ask for suggestions or opinions. 7 people take time to respond and when the OP answers he "thanks 1 or 2 people individually for their response.
I try to make a point of responding personally of "to the group as a group" to make sure anyone who sends me any kind of response is appreciated. Even if I don't happen to agree with what the say.
I think it boils down to Common Courtesy. Just the right thing to do.
Sorry if I rant here but that has kinda bugged me for a while. (in case you can't tell).
Off the soap box,
JMO

[BrianG]

I pretty much refuse to text. I don't have a smart phone, but I do have an iPod touch that I 'can' text other apple users with when I have an interntet connection. I pretty much only text my brother with that thing though. I think especially for a business ordeal, or even people we don't know very well, there just isn't a replacement for actually talking to someone. Can't show excitement, enthusiasm, appreciation, or the opposite of any those very well with a text or email (yeah, yeah, emoticons, I know). So... anyhow, to the OP, yes, I agree, it sure is nice to have a verbal conversation every once in a while, whether in person or via the phone.

[hugger6933]

The computer has brought about the depersonalization[is that a word?]of us all. I remember when I started building wrecks in the late 1980's I had to call ever yard around for hours looking and shopping for parts. Now it is a couple of clicks on Car part and it shows who has it and how much it is, the miles it had and how far a drive it is to go get it. I remember spending hours looking for hard to find parts now it is just tap tap tap and there it is. Along with that we have lost talking to others.

[WIDESIDE72]

I am a talker too. My wife bought me a t shirt that i wear to swap meets and shows that says "Will talk cars with anyone" The lack of personal communication skills is already having a negative effect on the you ger generation. Im 44 yo. Have you tried having a conversation with a teenager lately? Most have an attention span of about 45 seconds, even if youre talking to them about something theyre interested in. The problem is they dont know "how". It seems like second nature to us, but it is learned.

[WIDESIDE72]

I am an master electrican and commercial plan reviewer. I have to meet with people one on one and in groups. I actually enjoy most of it. There are a few who are a pain, but all in all its good. I have photos of my family, farmall tractors, 55-59 and 67-72 chevy trucks and various electrical humor in my cubicle. Almost everyone who comes in has a comment about something. I think it helps lighten the mood since one of the reviewers is Romanian and his cube looks like stalag 19. No one likes him and he is not a very pleasant person. Our department has a bad rep, partially because of him. Ive tried to get him to lighten up, but it seems to be a lost cause. He never eats fruits or vegetables and always complains of stomach trouble and being worried. Go figure!
He has terrible interpersonal skills. If someone doesnt understand something he just repaets it, only louder. Yelling usually results. He responds to everyones informal emails, even coworkers like me with their full name, such as "Dear Mr. John Smith,"...hes in his late 50's , so i am starting to believe that you really cant teach an old dog new tricks.

[davepl]

I hate the phone and do not use it. Cell phones are worse. They're great for visiting, but not for getting stuff done. I'm fine in person, though.

Quite frankly a lot of people want to talk and not listen, put on a performance, and have an audience. I'll take a pass. And tangentially that's a problem with Facebook (oh I know you don't use it or watch TV, spare me) - it makes your weakest relationships stronger and your strongest relationships weaker.

But for getting stuff done, I bought my new Z with 102 emails and one phone call. Unless you keep copious notes, it's hard to keep track of all the details on the phone. Sure 102 emails is a lot, but that was over a four month build and order and haggle process.

There are a lot of places, usually run by guys older than me (ie: > 50) that just can't reliably do email, and you really do need to use the phone. Car vendors especially (as opposed to dot matrix printer vendors, for example).

But if I were benevolent dictator:

DEATH PENALTY: For placing an email contact link on your website which, no matter how much detail and specificity I put in the email, the answer is "Give us a call".

[davepl]

[QUOTE=WIDESIDE72;7214369The lack of personal communication skills is already having a negative effect on the you ger generation. Im 44 yo. Have you tried having a conversation with a teenager lately? Most have an attention span of about 45 seconds, even if youre talking to them about something theyre interested in. The problem is they dont know "how". It seems like second nature to us, but it is learned.[/QUOTE]

You forget the next generation is -always- the end of civilization according to the previous one. Ask Aristotle, Lincoln, or anyone. The new kids are punks that want it all easy, blah blah blah...

My bigger fear is that people online (young and old) will forget how to write properly. Remember all-caps? We've stamped that out but most current writing online is full of abysmal grammar, sloppy punctuation, run-on sentences, and other various crimes.

I try to take the time to write as if I were writing a letter, though it's tough. It's a pretty casual letter, and I like to throw in spelling mistakes as a challenge to the reader :-)

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by davepl

You forget the next generation is -always- the end of civilization according to the previous one.

Agree 100%

[special-K]

There have been some great comments posted here since I last posted. This thread has been very enlightening. I have responses to many of these comments but after some personal reflection I feel I would rather not post them. If you feel the need to know what I have to say, please call me. If no answer, leave a message and I will get back to you ASAP. Or, maybe I'll just bump into you somewhere and we can chat.

[In The Ten Ring]

I have a friend I met on this site and we talk from time to time on the phone, usually just shooting the bull.

The guy I bought a fender from out in Montana, I call him for truck advice.

I hope to meet these guys next summer when I drive my truck out there to get a new cab put on.

[picklito]

I don't think it's the form of media you choose. Send the text, the email, make the call. Just do it and say thank you.

[old Chevy guy]

I went to buy a fender from a guy on craigs list the other day and after meeting him found we were very like minded ,after talking cars, trucks ,work, Garages etc for about 2 hours the guys wife emerges from the house and comes over. After a few minutes she asks is this the same guy you went out for a few minutes to sell a car part to a couple hours ago? Its really interesting the people you meet and connect with sometime buying and selling stuff. Rhode Island is a small state and if you talk to someone you meet long enough you almost always find you know some of the same people . I think its true that the media you use is not as important as just actually connecting to people sometimes ,however you can do that.

[cooperhw]

Originally Posted by picklito

I don't think it's the form of media you choose. Send the text, the email, make the call. Just do it and say thank you.

After reading what everybody has posted I think we all should realize that some like to call, some text, email, or in person. Actually they are all good, some better at different times of the day and career for that matte. I used to despise texting. I figured if you want to talk to me call or come over. I have had to realize in a busy schedule sometimes taking a call is not possible whereas you can read a text when you have time and respond to that text when you have time. I now realize there is "a time and place for each". If I was retired I would probably think differently, but not for a while yet.