I had to get some very important documents to a government office today. I called and got BOTH an email address and a fax number.
In order to make certain that the documents arrived in time; I sent them via both methods. I got a fax confirmation and the email did not bounce back, so I assumed that I was covered and that the documents were received in good order.
But the gnawing feeling in my stomach would not let me rest. These documents were VERY important, so I did a follow-up phone call just to be sure.
Turns out that their email was down and the fax was nowhere to be found. Had I just assumed they had the documents in hand, I would be in big trouble. Instead, I sent them while the person on the phone watched for them, and finally, it was confirmed that they had what they needed.
Never assume and always confirm.
I knew better and I’m glad that I did!
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Always good advice. It's amazing that more people don't follow up like this. I'm glad it payed off!
Our gut is always right! I am glad you called and trusted your instinct. :)
Richard, you are so right about this. I always feel better when I get confirmation. And email, well, I usually add a little blurb about confirmation, which never happens, LOL.
I am a bit on the neurotic side.
I never trust e-mail delivery. Someone has to download it and open it.
I never trust fax delivery. Not sure why.
I prefer hand delivery. I know, I know but it's how I can sleep knowing that it's there and I have a signed acknowledgement.
In this age of email I think we are much more likely to assume that everything is ok. Good reminder.
I agree, and that is what is so frustrating with some of the REO agents who have more listings than they can efficiently handle. You know who I'm talking about, the ones who put "DO NOT CALL LISTING AGENT" in the agent comments. How can you know if they received your offer, counter, highest and best, cancellation etc.
I prefer the Vulcan Mind meld. I swear nobody gets anything ... even if you super-glue it to them. Ughhh.
Richard - Listening to that "still small voice" inside can save lots of headache, yet we often ignore those signals.
At the end of any important email I always add in big bold red print:
PLEASE CONFIRM RECEIPT
If they don't I follow up.
OK, OK, I'll stop being an ass-umer! Good reminder, Richard. -- Tanya in Montreal
Richard, great advice... when things don't go as planned we often fall back on "I just assumed" ... best to never assume anything.
You never want to casually assume that everything is running smooth, especially on something that's important. Just a little follow up can save a lot of headache.
You are so right my friend, NEVER a$$ume anything. I have had contracts faxed to me and never gotten a phone call from the agent to confirm me getting it. Just one question, how would they have felt if I had not received the fax?
That gut feeling is my "failsafe". I rely on it pretty heavily to keep things running smoothly. And God uses it to get my attention quite frequently!
Let me discern, affirm and confirm all that you just said.
That's right Richard, never assume the faxed documents were received. Following up with a simple phone call is all it takes. Have a great weekend!