Hard to get contact info on anyone these days

[debodun]

With phone books obsolete, even trying to get a phone number for a person or business is difficult. I find online info, more than often, is obsolete. Even whitepages.com blocks most phone numbers or makes you have to pay to get info. Why is it do difficult?

 

[reflection4]

So many people don't want to talk on the phone anymore and most businesses have automated answering. Frustrating sometimes. I needed to talk to utility company last week and it took a long time to go thru menu and reach a live person.

 

[jujube]

Mainly because the businesses don't really want to talk to you. Talking to you means that they have to deal with your request, complaint, etc. right now, instead at their chosen speed. Also, dealing via internet means a record of what you said exists, as opposed to what you said you said (don't fall for the "this call may be recorded for quality assurance.....those records are seldom available).

I know what you mean, though. Sometimes I want to talk to a real person, instead of trying to make my request or question fit into a computer category. That's when you get, unfortunately, "Your call is very important to us; please hold (and hold and hold and hold......) for the next available agent."

I'm afraid it is what it is....."people" are on the way out and "HAL" is definitely taking over.

 

[Victor]

Phone books are not obsolete. I use them every day but some of the information is wrong, outdated, but so are internet sources. Many businesses do not want to talk on the phone. Their numbers are not listed, takes too much of their time.
You could ask your public library, tell reference that it is important. They should help.

I got a Private I service to get me information last year and they did without charge. They have access to other information. It takes patience searching...I'd like to get email addresses but do not know how!

 

[Ameriscot]

I don't use a phonebook. In fact when we get one it goes straight into the recycle bin. When I want a phone number - usually to make an appointment I just go online and type in the name of the business and the phone number and business hours for that day comes up.

 

[Butterfly]

I don't use a phonebook. In fact when we get one it goes straight into the recycle bin. When I want a phone number - usually to make an appointment I just go online and type in the name of the business and the phone number and business hours for that day comes up.

I do exactly the same thing. Don't try the "white pages thing" -- just type the name of the business into Google or whatever you use, and the most current information will come right up. If all else fails, call information.

 

[Ameriscot]

I do exactly the same thing. Don't try the "white pages thing" -- just type the name of the business into Google or whatever you use, and the most current information will come right up. If all else fails, call information.

I don't think we even have an information number here any more.

 

[Cookie]

I haven't used a phone book for years. Personal phone numbers are available here in our Canada 411 listing if they are for Bell Canada users, but often not up-to-date. Most people with cell phones only give out their numbers to friends and the numbers aren't listed online.

I find business telephone #s very easily by googling the company name and look in the contact section.

 

[Victor]

I bet I can find a number or address faster in a phone book that you can online,
assuming that first you have to turn on your computer.

I am a print person. I use the computer mostly when I have to and to write
on forums like this. the phone book is free and all the info is together. The Yellow pages
are very useful.
the computer--or your battery.

 

[Guitarist]

Phone books are not obsolete. I use them every day but some of the information is wrong, outdated, but so are internet sources. Many businesses do not want to talk on the phone. Their numbers are not listed, takes too much of their time.
You could ask your public library, tell reference that it is important. They should help.

IF someone is on duty at the reference desk! With library budgets still getting cut, the circ desk may stay busy, reference not so much sometimes. Hopefully if someone is on duty at the reference desk they are a properly trained librarian and not just sitting there.

As for companies not wanting to talk with people, I had a real shock and disappointment a couple of years ago when I called Johnson & Johnson -- the makers of Johnson's Baby Powder! you think they are a real family company -- and you are told by a recording that they don't take calls from customers.

I love the good old saying, how God doesn't have call waiting and you never get a busy signal when you call Him.

 

[fureverywhere]

I feel so antiquated...I have a personal phone book beside me made of plastic and paper n' I write in numbers by hand...But for people the white pages do work sometimes. I didn't have my son's new address and everything popped up there.

 

[jnos]

I bet I can find a number or address faster in a phone book that you can online,
assuming that first you have to turn on your computer.

I am a print person. I use the computer mostly when I have to and to write
on forums like this. the phone book is free and all the info is together. The Yellow pages
are very useful.
the computer--or your battery.

Reminded me of a 23 year old college graduate I worked with. She was very smart, tech-savy and has a great future ahead of her. Someone asked the two of us for someone's phone number. I grabbed a phone book (of course) while she grabbed her I-Phone and we were a tie! Of course, she might have had a head start because her phone was probably already in her left hand!

 

[Ameriscot]

I feel so antiquated...I have a personal phone book beside me made of plastic and paper n' I write in numbers by hand...But for people the white pages do work sometimes. I didn't have my son's new address and everything popped up there.

I have one of those with addresses and phone numbers of family and friends, the doctor's office, our mechanic, our roofer, etc. But I also keep a file online for xmas cards/postcards and I can access it anywhere. Our phone number and adddress and unlisted to keep down on sales calls.

 

[Aurora]

Just a thought...if phone books were obsolete then why do so many businesses, including restaurants, have large ads in them?
Lawyers often have big ads, pizza places and other services.

 

[Verisure]

The problem I have is finding people abroad. If I want a US "White Pages" number/address on the internet, I usually get a notice such as "Found it!" But then I am informed that I must pay a yearly fee (or something like that) before I'll be given the information. There is no way that I'll be paying some fee for something that ought to be free of charge.