So people never ask you to repeat the appointment you've just given them unless they are driving?

And for the record, I never use my mobile phone while driving and I never mark appointments in calendars becasue I can remember everything I need to without one.

I hardly ever answer the telephone at home, unless I am expecting an important call. Instead,I let calls go to my voice mail, and if it's someone inquiring about piano lessons I will call them back at my convenience and leave a message on their voice mail with my e-mail address. I much prefer to communicate with students (or potential students) in writing,because there is less possibility of misunderstanding; also, with e-mail there is a record of precisely what was said.

Too often in the past I have interrupted my practicing or teaching for a ringing telephone,only to hear a sales pitch or recorded political message. People who are serious about wanting piano lessons will gladly leave a message and wait for the teacher to get back to them,in my experience.

My piano tech works that way, and I know he does so I'm happy to leave him a message. He does all his callbacks in batches to organise the period he is currently scheduling around the other work he has on then picks up messages again the next week.

Seems to work well for him.

It's funny, but the same thing happened to me this week. Usually I defer my answer until I've spoken with them to determine the lesson length.

But these types of calls seem very curious to me. You don't even know what you are getting and you start the call asking for the price. These people end up with all the wrong answers to their questions.

Yes. I've had calls like this. Aren't they strange?!!!!

I think asking who reffered them to you is a good way to go. I most always do this, except when it is a really weird call then I just want to hang up!

Do you think its weird of a student asks on the behalf of other students in regard to a teacher?