DIY Packraft is just me, Matt. I don’t have a business phone, and I probably won’t be getting one anytime soon for the following reasons:
- Most people have similar questions (many of them are already answered on the website – please use the search bar or check the FAQ and forum). It makes more sense for me to answer questions in writing and then post them to the website for all to see instead of having the same conversations over and over.
- Two-minute questions turn into a 45-minute chats. This is an enjoyable way to spend my time, but time is one thing I’m lacking.
- Time zones: most people are not in my time zone and using email to arrange a call takes just as long as answering questions by email.
- I’m not a salesman. Some people are hesitant to order a kit for whatever reason and they’re hoping I’ll reassure them and talk them into making a purchase, but if someone is on the fence I do the opposite and try to talk them out of it because I’d rather have no customers than unhappy ones.
- Liability. Some people have questions that I shouldn’t answer for liability reasons, about specific uses or scenarios or trips they’re planning. For better or worse, as the representative of DIY Packraft, even if I give good advice and you’d never think of holding someone else accountable for your own mistakes, insurance companies have lawyers waiting to do just that. When I answer in writing I have time to think about what I say and there’s a record of exactly what I said.
- I’m not a business coach, materials engineer, designer, etc. If you have questions about how to do your own projects, I recommend consulting a qualified person.
Not having a public phone number might cost me a few sales, but at this point that’s outweighed by the time savings and the reduced likelihood I’ll put my foot in my mouth 🙂
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