Yes, we're open.... STOP CALLING!

[Lingering Grin]

I understand... it's easter, half the city is closed down, ok fine.

but, DAMNIT! I am so tired of answering:

"Are you open?"
"What time are you open until?"
"What are your prices?"

I probably answered these 3 same exact questions about ooooh... 200 times today?

I knew there was a reason I hated phones.

[chops]

The one I always got sick of:

"What were the [insert lotto game here] numbers last night?"

[crashhelmet]

Kinda reminds me of the scene in the movie Empire Records when Mark answers the phone.

Mark: "Empire Records, open til Midnight. This is Mark."
<listens>
Mark: "MIDNIGHT!"
<hangs up>

[Irving Patrick Freleigh]

So...are you guys open?

[Broomjockey]

Kinda reminds me of the scene in the movie Empire Records when Mark answers the phone.

Mark: "Empire Records, open til Midnight. This is Mark."
<listens>
Mark: "MIDNIGHT!"
<hangs up>

I love that movie, but almost no one I know knows it

See, the thing with calling a place to see if it's open...If you call, and they don't answer, you can probably assume they're closed. If you call and they answer, but just a "Hi." you either have the wrong number, or they're not open, but you can ask to make sure. Now, if you're ONLY calling to see if a place is open, and they answer with the full speil, you can probably assume they're open, but WHAT DO YOU SAY?!?! You can't just hang up, that's rude. You can ask "are you open?" but you look like a tool. You can ask a random question, but then you get the "uhhh..." while you think. It's a horrible trap!

[marasbaras]

Yeah ... sorry, but I'm one of those that'll call a store to check before I show up and get laughed at because I'm at the door seeing that you closed 5 minutes ago.

[iviles]

Like marasbaras I call to. My schedual is usally tight and with gas prices the way they are I would rather find out first before I head out anywhere. That and I rather call then run in five minutes before you close and take my time you know.

[Emrld]

Where I live a lot of the places now have a recording at the start with the hours given. If you know where you are calling you listen and then can hang up when answer given. (you have to hold or push a button before a humans phone will ring)
As for the places that don't.
Most are a ok if you say. "I was just calling to find out what hours you are open." If they have already given that info then you say. "Thank you for giving me that information have a nice day" and you hang up.
If they haven't given the info yet. Ask.

[Andara Bledin]

On the whole 'call before you show up' thing, that's an easy one.

When they answer your question in their greeting, you just tell them, "Oh, I just wanted to make sure blah blah blah, thanks" and you're done.

No embarassment for you, no annoyance (or CS post opportunities) for the clerk.

^-.-^

[Nephy]

Ah, the dreaded "Are you open?" question on holidays.

I'm always thisclose to answering with "No, the store's not open. They just pay me to answer the phone and tell anyone that calls that the store isn't open"

On a simular note, I hate the people that say "Oh, you shouldn't be working on a holiday! You should be at home spending time with your family!"

Yes.. yes I should. Don't you realize that if your stupid ass wasn't here buying bunion cream and mascara, I wouldn't have to be here?

[marasbaras]

I'm always thisclose to answering with "No, the store's not open. They just pay me to answer the phone and tell anyone that calls that the store isn't open"

Just out of curiosity: how are we supposed to find out if you're open on a holiday without calling or driving out there?