I have received multiple calls per day (5-10 calls) from a man who is making an inquiry. It's somewhat related to my business (I'm a photographer, he is calling about printed photographs), but it's not something we actually offer. Initially, as I felt he needed help, I offered to advise him. He then called back later that day (a few hours later) and made the very same inquiry, like we hadn't spoken before. The gentleman is now calling 5-10 times per day, every time with the same inquiry. Each call is quite long winded, as he wants to go over every point each time and tell us in detail about the photographs he has. Sadly he cannot remember calling before, so every time for him is a new inquiry.
Part of the inquiry is that he wants to get some photographs printed. I offered to call by his house and collect the photographs (at his request) as he lives only 2 minutes away. Every time I have showed up at the house nobody answers the door. Whenever I telephone and say who I am and why I'm calling he doesn't remember me / tells me now isn't convenient. I haven't been able to actually meet him in person, although I have tried 4 times now.
At first he wanted me to collect the photographs he wanted printed. Last time I spoke to him (a few hours ago) he said the photographs are so important he would refuse to part with them or let them out of his sight. I said that wouldn't be possible as we need to send them off for printing. This agitated him, which I didn't intend to do.
I will admit this is not an area I have any experience with and I am struggling to know how to handle it. When he calls, and goes over the same thing each time, I listen and say politely that we'd spoken before, but I think this is obviously only confusing him more.
He has became very agitated / rude sometimes, so it's obviously causing him stress. Apparently a person he knows (I asked who but he said he didn't want to tell me) wrote down our business number on his telephone pad, hence why he keeps calling.
I am now considering writing a letter for him, which I could put through his letterbox, explaining that we have spoken and we did try to help but we do not offer the service he required. I could then write down some contact details for other local businesses who may be able to help. Would this be of use to him, or just cause more confusion?
I'm concerned about his wellbeing, but ultimately there isn't much I can do beyond try and help / remind him we don't offer this service. I would like for the calls to stop, ideally, as they take up about 10-15 minutes of my time every time he calls. Leaving it to go to voicemail also results in very long voicemail messages.
Is there a better way I could be handling this so I can clearly communicate to him we cannot help with this inquiry and ultimately get him to stop calling?
I went to the local pharmacy to speak to them, as I thought this might be a possible place to start, but they had no advice to offer and recommended calling the local authority.
I'd like to help him, but also somewhat selfishly I'd also like the calls to be able to stop - but I'm aware it's a sensitive situation.
You need to get caller ID. I doubt the amount of time you're spending chatting with this non-client is going to pay out at all.
Don't get yourself too involved in his life. Sounds like he's stuck in a loop and you can't solve it. Bless your heart, though!
My mother-in-law. One day not too long ago, we got a phone call from my husband's, very concerned, aunt. My mil had been making phone calls to ppl and was begging for help. Said we leave her for days, never feed her, never talk to her, etc...😳😯😬😵😵
Once she called the phone company, had them turn off the phones - and it took THREE MONTHS to finally get it fixed! Yelp, her telephone gossiping days are all done.
I have noticed that she tends to latch onto statements that someone interacts warmly to. For example, she tells a story about having to cross a river to get to school. I once engaged with her over the details, so now I get that story about 45 times a week, and it's told exactly that same fabricated way every time.
It can be that the folks taking care of this man don't have a clue this is going on. Could be that your kindness is simply on his instant-replay-on-demand button.
If you like, you can check it out, but be aware you may not be directly connected to the real world.
Again, sincere thanks and some hugs for being a good hooman! You're today's hero!
Sounds like you have gone above and beyond thus far, more than most would do, so bless you for that, but it's obvious that this can't continue, as you have a business to run. You can try the letter approach and see if you have any better luck with that, but I probably wouldn't hold your breath. You can only do but so much. Again, bless you for trying though. Sorry I don't really have any other advise for you. Good luck.
You are too kind, and he needs more assistance than you can give him.
It was a long time ago and I can't remember what the gentleman wanted exactly, but in my memory I will always think of him as Mr "I'm a grandpa, you see." The poor old soul had my telephone number, heaven knows how, and rang every couple of weeks for a couple of years. I worked from home as a freelancer and couldn't not answer. I used to listen to his worries and say what consoling words I could, but I didn't like to ask for confidential information and had no way of informing social services about him.
I wonder what's become of him.
You have more practical difficulties, because your gentleman's bee in his bonnet is at least vaguely relevant to your business and it's possible there actually is a project someone else could manage to his benefit. Call APS, they can respond, and perhaps get in touch with the gentleman or better yet his family and let that bee out safely :)
P.S. If that's Uttoxeter in Staffordshire, you want Adult Social Care - you'll find the contact details on the county website.
There is a reason they say no good deed goes unpunished.
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