I still have a land line phone although have been considering doing away with it. It is connected to my combo fax/answering machine. It is set up to answer on the first ring then either go to the answering machine or to the fax if it gets that signal.
I stopped answering it years ago when the telemarketers were such a problem - before the do-not-call list. Everybody either uses my business number or my cell number, both of which ring to my cell phone.
If my land line rings, I know it is someone I don’t want to talk to - like the politicians who are exempt from the DNC rules. Off to the answering machine they go, then I can ERASE.
However, today a friend I hadn’t heard from for eons happened to call the home land line number. The person was in the process of leaving a message as I walked by the phone, so I immediately picked up the phone and we had a nice chat.
What I realized was how “trapped” I felt with that type of phone. Having used only my cell for 5-6 years, I was no longer accustomed to staying in one spot as I talked. I know that I’m not the only one who multi-tasks when they’re on the phone.
We can take that time to load the dishwasher, let the dog out, fix a fresh cup of coffee, let the dog in, walk out to pick up the mail, let the dog out, empty the trash, let the dog back in, throw a ball to the dog, etc. And that’s only when we’re in the confines of our homes!
My absolute favorite is listening to a husband in the grocery store talking to his wife while he frantically searches the shelves trying to find the exact product his wife has put on his list.
As much as we say we hate to listen to people talk on their cells, and there are times I wish people would hit the vibrate more frequently, it’s really hard to imagine life without them. I know I feel so much more secure when driving with it always at my side.
As an aside to this topic, if you entered your number(s) when the DNC first went into effect, your five years are about up. It’s time to re-up at www.donotcall.gov or you’ll be put back on the telemarketers bother-them-at-dinner list. Don’t say I didn’t warn you!
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Elaine Reese
614-825-8860Real Living HER
2 responses so far ↓
Carole Cohen // October 23, 2007 at 5:34 pm
Elaine, I did away with mine last year. I do not miss it, nor the telemarketers who I’m sure would be calling regardless of the do not call list. I have no downsides to report. Well, maybe one. IF I could find my supra key (omg it has been lost for half a year!) I would need it to charge it when the seven day expiration comes up. As it is, it’s a moot point! I was taking it to other realtor’s homes to charge before i lost it LOL. But, if you could get a land line hooked up in your office, then everyone could use it and pay for the line (minimal expense).
I just hated having two phones!
elainereese // October 23, 2007 at 7:40 pm
OMG, I forgot about the keypad. Ours sits in a cradle and updates overnight every night. We can update via a phone or the computer but can only do that 3 times before it needs to sit in the cradle. We have a cradle in the office for instant update, but I only go there maybe 3 times a week.
I was only thinking of the fax, which I can get via e-fax or u-fax. My biggest concern or reluctance was not having overnight 911 GPS with the land line. I’d have to leave my cell on overnight and cells are hard for the emergency people to pinpoint exact location.
How do you open lockboxes without a keypad?