deciphering customers

[ryanbrown]

When potential customers casually ask you if you are busy -
what are they usually trying to find out do you think?

a) If you can get to the job as quick as possible?

b) whether you are credible or not based on how much work you presently have?

c) They are not trying to find out anything - just making polite conversation.

d) other

[grumpygrouter]

Could be any one of them!

Grumpy

[brian c]

depends in what manner they are asking you i suppose but as Grumpy says it could be either of them.

[GazTech]

I know this is a polite , but probing question to reassure themselves that you are in demand, because you are at the top of your profession......Gaz

[joe kelly]

I drive a taxi and get this 100 times a shift they dont really want to know just habit , im like "steady away "

[tiler tom]

I would say that it is not polite conversation but just an enquiry as too how quickly they can get a job done.
Some people do not consider waiting time when it comes to getting somebody to do them a service a lot expect that you can do it next week which is not always the case. Then again some realise that they are not the only ones that require this service and are genuine in wanting to know how long they can expect to wait.

[Fekin]

I would say that there would be very few people who would ask this to gauge how good\in demand you are.
I think most people would ask this as a conversation filler

[smokie899]

me thinks they are gaugeing all three

[tiler tom]

If you consider that the question is too see how much in demand you are what is the best answer if you haven't something on the following week? Say" I can do it next week" gives the impression that you are not busy but that may suit them and if you say I can't do it for a couple of weeks either tells them you are in demand and worth waiting for or if they are getting a couple of quotes go with the other tiler who can do it quicker.

[Saltire69]

I always ask when they phone when they are looking to get the job done, then when they ask you you've already thought about what your going to say as u know when there looking to get it done.

[IvegotsTILE]

I have always got the impression its firstly to see how good you are and secondly when they can get it done.If I'm not that busy I say I'm quite busy for the next 3 weeks but I can move some of the jobs around to accomadate you,makes them feel like your bending over backwards for them.They love it.

[Dan]

Never say you can do it tomorrow. But you don't want to give the impression you're too busy for them.

Perhaps reply with.... pretty busy actually yes, why do you need something doing?