What would you think if you called a business and were asked for your address, BEFORE you'd discussed your reason for calling, with anyone? That's what happened to me, today, when I phoned this office.
Michele Henry wasn't available, so I was leaving a message; something I'd done Monday via voicemail. However, today, I spoke to her Receptionist, Kacy (sp), who asked for my address. The question struck me as odd for a number of reasons, so I asked what she needed it for, to which she replied, "I am just required to get it." No further justification or explanation given. I told her I wasn't comfortable giving that information. I didn't think my response would be a problem.
Me not giving MY address to someone who couldn't tell me what she needed it for, was a problem, though. Big enough of a problem for me to get a call back from an indignant, Michele Henry.
I answered the phone thinking I'd explain why I'd reached out, she'd tell me about her process of determining whether or not she'll accept a case and we'd go from there. Nope.
"I noticed that you didn't give your address when you called earlier," is how she responded to me thanking her for calling back.
"No, I wasn't comfortable giving that information," I answered.
"It's required," she snarked.
"May I have some insight as to why? I asked earlier and the person I talked to couldn't tell me," I questioned.
"The Bar Association requires me to send out a letter to all potential clients stating whether or not I'll take their case," she answered.
"Okay, no problem. That wasn't explained to me earlier and being asked for my address by someone who couldn't tell me why it was needed, made me uncomfortable. Had she explained what you did, I would've given it, no problem," I asserted. At this point I'm ready to give my address and move on. Nah, too easy.
"Well, honestly, if you have a problem with Kacy, then this probably isn't the office for you. She's my receptionist and I've never had this issue," she snapped.
Here's the deal: I don't care what other people do or don't do. As for me, when I have a question, I'm going to ask it. As long as I'm tactful, I expect an answer. Furthermore, if I have a suggestion, such as that which I gave Michele Henry, and I give it diplomatically, I expect a reasonable business owner or practitioner to take it and use it to improve. I didn't have a reasonable experience with Michele Henry, though. I experienced a curt, condescending, dogmatic, irrational and petulant individual.
Bottom line: If a receptionist can't answer basic questions about why she's asking for a piece of information, something is wrong. Me calling that out, didn't mean I had a "problem" with anyone.
What I do have a problem with is someone trying to engage in a power struggle with me over something petty. When I actually talked to Michele (not left a msg), she could've gotten my address. That easy.
My address wasn't obtained when I left a voicemail, Monday, but Michele called me back Tuesday evening. That lets me know that giving my address to the receptionist earlier today wasn't so big of a deal that Michele needed to become confrontational as if I somehow harmed her or her employee by not giving my address.
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Michele Henry wasn't available, so I was leaving a message; something I'd done Monday via voicemail. However, today, I spoke to her Receptionist, Kacy (sp), who asked for my address. The question struck me as odd for a number of reasons, so I asked what she needed it for, to which she replied, "I am just required to get it." No further justification or explanation given. I told her I wasn't comfortable giving that information. I didn't think my response would be a problem.
Me not giving MY address to someone who couldn't tell me what she needed it for, was a problem, though. Big enough of a problem for me to get a call back from an indignant, Michele Henry.
I answered the phone thinking I'd explain why I'd reached out, she'd tell me about her process of determining whether or not she'll accept a case and we'd go from there. Nope.
"I noticed that you didn't give your address when you called earlier," is how she responded to me thanking her for calling back.
"No, I wasn't comfortable giving that information," I answered.
"It's required," she snarked.
"May I have some insight as to why? I asked earlier and the person I talked to couldn't tell me," I questioned.
"The Bar Association requires me to send out a letter to all potential clients stating whether or not I'll take their case," she answered.
"Okay, no problem. That wasn't explained to me earlier and being asked for my address by someone who couldn't tell me why it was needed, made me uncomfortable. Had she explained what you did, I would've given it, no problem," I asserted. At this point I'm ready to give my address and move on. Nah, too easy.
"Well, honestly, if you have a problem with Kacy, then this probably isn't the office for you. She's my receptionist and I've never had this issue," she snapped.
Here's the deal: I don't care what other people do or don't do. As for me, when I have a question, I'm going to ask it. As long as I'm tactful, I expect an answer. Furthermore, if I have a suggestion, such as that which I gave Michele Henry, and I give it diplomatically, I expect a reasonable business owner or practitioner to take it and use it to improve. I didn't have a reasonable experience with Michele Henry, though. I experienced a curt, condescending, dogmatic, irrational and petulant individual.
Bottom line: If a receptionist can't answer basic questions about why she's asking for a piece of information, something is wrong. Me calling that out, didn't mean I had a "problem" with anyone.
What I do have a problem with is someone trying to engage in a power struggle with me over something petty. When I actually talked to Michele (not left a msg), she could've gotten my address. That easy.
My address wasn't obtained when I left a voicemail, Monday, but Michele called me back Tuesday evening. That lets me know that giving my address to the receptionist earlier today wasn't so big of a deal that Michele needed to become confrontational as if I somehow harmed her or her employee by not giving my address.