You’ve heard of dead internet theory, now check out dead phone theory!
Oh great, exactly what every small shop is asking for: AI clients that will never show up!
Not that I as a small bussines owner would expect anyone to use this to call me about my pricing or services but the call would end real quick when I realise I’m talking to an AI. I don’t even have anything against AI per se, I talk with LLMs a lot. It’s just that if you can be arsed to personally call me then I can’t be arsed to serve your needs either - I have more serious customers to cater to.
So let me be clear here:
You don’t offer your services and prices easily and you are not planning on answering automated calls that query you about your prices and services?
Long-term, I don’t see your business staying unless you are at a small town or your niche is pretty rare.
Otherwise I personally would not like to waste my time asking about pretty basic info like the price and the service.
You don’t offer your services and prices easily
That’s a strange assumption. My pricing and services are listed on the flyer they likely first heard about me from, as well as on my website. You can also just call, email, or text and ask.
If you have a job for me but don’t want to “waste your time” by reaching out, I’m not too concerned about losing you as a customer. Virtually all of my previous clients seem to appreciate not just a job well done, but the one-on-one human connection as well. In fact, some of them seem to just want someone to talk to - the work itself feels almost secondary.
Also consider those with disabilities or anxiety
There is an actual free teletype service for deaf people who want to use the phone.
Anxiety sounds like a cop-out to make things worse for low wage workers because you won’t deign to speak to them yourself.
So this is an additional option for them, not a replacement.
Regarding the anxiety comment…yikes. suggesting someone suffering from anxiety views others as peasants not worth their time is certainly an interesting take.
Someone using this sort of abusive service should not inflict it on retail workers.
I have better things to do with my life than answer to a robot working for a lazy jerk.
Doubt
