Is it just me, or is texting the worst form of communication?

[nealrm]

I truly hate texting. It's not that I a hard time entering text or understanding how to send the text. My issue is that the medium results is messages that leave out all details. I get texts stating things like "shoot listing new" or "new price $110000". Now I know that this means that the agent want me to shoot their new listing or change the price on a current listing, but which new listing, what is the address. For the shoot it is vacant, are there dogs, do we need to schedule with the owner, what is the owners phone number.... We have people at the office all day, if they have a phone with them they can call. We always have to call them to get the details anyway. So why risk mis-communication by sending a stupid text message.

Text messaging has set communications back to the time of the telegraph. Messages had to be short because you were charged by the letter. They also didn't have the option of talking with someone. Now day we can easily talk anywhere, yet people want to send short incomplete message via text.

So - any suggestion on worst forms of communication?

[Pack-Secure]

Texting drives me up a wall. I feel like screaming pick up the dang phone.

[MostHeather]

I'm going to go against the grain and say that I like texting - but most of my texts are for personal business more than communicating with clients, etc. If I had to conduct business doing texts, that might give me a whole different outlook..

[billbenson]

Texting like email are not real time. That allows for better time management. I absolutely hate the telephone.

What you are talking about is the misuse of the technology. The text should be call me, my client wants a discount of 11k (or whatever that jibberish message means).

I don't know what I pay for texting, but I think it's nothing. My wife texts all day and it doesn't change our bill?

[Harold Mansfield]

I can deal with a short message or two, but when it turns into a conversation, I start getting irritated.
Not a fan of texting for business. Especially when people ask tech questions. Just send an email or pick up the phone so that we can get it over with.

[Steve B]

I'm not a fan of texting at all. It certainly has a few instances where it is a benefit (movie theater and similar situations). But, I often see it used as an intentional one-way form of communicating so the sender doesn't have to waste his/her time listening to the other party.

[Freelancier]

I try not to use my cell phone for business. That way, I'm not disturbed during my personal time by incoming calls that I don't want to take. I've had a cell phone for 15 years and very few customers have the number. I work from home, though, so I don't need to use it for business.

Yes, Bill, with the new Verizon and AT&T plans, unlimited texting and call minutes are included. Finally. It's data that costs money now.

I use texting for personal msgs, that's it. If a customer happens to get my cell number and sends me a text, first thing I do when I get a free moment is pick up the phone and call them back. I think of it as a short e-mail in that situation. I'd NEVER send a client a text. E-mail is better for that, because then I can make sure I'm going to be completely understood.

[billbenson]

Ya, I don't give it out to customers either as I work out of my home office and always am there.

Really only two people have the number. My wife and a friend who has a job where he can't answer the phone. I have a weekly meeting with him and it works well for a short message like "what day and time are we meeting this week". Also with the wife, she may send me a list of stuff she wants in the supermarket. Easier than writing it down if I'm driving.

It has its place

[Rover]

When texting first started gaining popularity I was laughing at these companies (Sprint, AT&T ect) "Who is going to pay to send a word message when they can just pick up the phone and call?" Well it's a good thing I'm not a CEO at one of those companies because it is huge!!

I use it for personal business when I know someone is busy or at work, I do make sure that the facts and info are in there. Those who don't understand texting will send very poor messages. If it needs a long detailed instruction I just text "Call me when your free so we can talk about XYZ." Teenagers love it because it makes them feel important when they get a text. If you look at a call it's just one ring or two and they are talking, a text conversation requires multiple messages and can be about private things they don't want people around them getting wind of.

But for actual business, nothing substitutes an actual call.

[KristineS]

I like texting for personal use. Texting family or friends to ask a quick question is very useful. I also use it for work purposes when we're working trade shows. It's great to be able to text and find out who's going to breakfast or what time we're doing dinner or ask someone to remember to bring something to the booth. Other than that, I don't think I would text in a business setting. It's easier and more professional to pick up the phone.