From: "Ian Lloyd" <ianlloyd@perth.igs.net>
To: <pezzo4balloons@earthlink.net>, "balloon" <balloon@balloonhq.com>
Subject: Re: Mailing address???
Date: Thu, 18 Jan 2001 01:48:01 -0500

List,
    I have a different perspective in that I live in the country and, until
recently, only had a Rural Route # (US=RFD?) which of course I shared with
about 500 other homes and businesses. We now have unique identifiers
(numbers and new street names to allow for 911 service). Before, only our
mail person and a few delivery drivers knew where I was without calling
first.
    I don't see the problem with people "knowing you aren't at home". There
is quite often someone at my house who does not answer the business
line.**** You need to practice good security anyway to make it appear
someone is home (recorded sound of balloons sqeaking and popping?) lights on
timers etc.
     That said, I put my town, phone number and e-mail address (@BHQ!) on
ads (like Yellow Pages) and cards and give my mailing/house address only to
those who need to send me stuff I want. In 20 years of different businesses
from home I have never had a prospective client contact me by snail mail. I
don't deal with clients at my home anyway.

On another note, I mentioned a business line. Bell Canada offers a service
which allows me 3 distinct-ring calls on my one home line. I advertise 3
different numbers (4 if you count my toll free #) and they all ring
differently on my phone so I can answer appropriately (Hello, Gotta Go!
Hello, Hold Your Breath! ) With Caller ID I can weed out most of the junk
pretty quickly too. The only disadvantage is if I am answering for one
business the other calls get a busy signal. I can set my answering machine
to answer the business lines but let the personal calls through. I pay
normal full rate for the first # and a very low rate for the others and it
includes Yellow Pages listings for each business.
my 2¢
Jess Kiddin

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