Oh how I wish my boss would understand this. I take messages and he says he has nothing to report to people so he won’t return the call until he has something to tell them. In the mean time the customer just stews.

Well, if it is badly for me to take a return call, then I would. But if not necessary and you have nothing to say anymore, I guess, it’s useless to return your call. This is just my personal view on that matter.:)

Dave,
That is a pet peeve of mine as well. I always return calls, even if they are wrong numbers – meaning someone has called, left a message, and I know they dialed the wrong number. They’re (the wrong number callers) always stunned that I took the time to tell them they mis-dialed.
If someone doesn’t call me back within a day or so, they’re off my list for good.
Both you and Tom have the right idea.
It’s not only ‘good business’, it’s considerate and professional.

I completely agree! It is so frustrating when someone will not return your phone calls. I believe it is good business etiquette (and just plain common courtesy) to get back to people in a timely fashion.

I hate that when people dont return there call too.

All friends know that and they ever call back

Some people just don’t feel like they need to communicate something. It’s a broken link somewhere, in the way we understand what should we do in our inter-personal relations. It’s ok not to respond immeately to a friend with whom you talk on a regular basis, but not ok anymore if he insists and seems to have something very important to say.

Another thing, now that you mentioned that newspaper … if they don’t insist, why would you? You did your best, honestly, to contact them. Should they ever take steps against you, they’re in the red corner, going down fast.

Say that you change your email address, phone, street, life. Leave a message, say you’re not interested anymore to keep old contacts, but do something. Don’t just .. dissapear. That’s what I hate usually.