When will texting become acceptable professionally?

[Reter]

A business just called me and left a voicemail. Which has got me thinking. How long do you think it will be before businesses (such as doctor's appointments, credit card companies, etc.) start texting instead of calling? Some of you might say never, but keep in mind all of the things in the past that were once looked at as unfavorable. I say 15 years.

[Oktober]

1. Now...

Just got one from my dentist earlier today...

[wyldwolf]

2. It already is

I get text reminders for dentist appointments and HVAC service appointments.

[Avalux]

3. My vet clinic texts me.

When shots or due, or to remind me of an appointment. They asked me first, and I told them I'd prefer texting instead of a phone call. So to answer your question - I believe it already is and will become more popular over time.

[randome]

20. But how do you press those tiny keys with your paws?

Sorry, couldn't resist!
[hr][font color="blue"][center]There is nothing you can't do if you put your mind to it.
Nothing.[/center][/font][hr]

[FSogol]

22. DUzy!

[NightWatcher]

4. when given the option, I prefer texts

I'll see what you have to say but I don't really want to talk to you.

My doctor sends texts and my old boss used to send one liners about vital job related info.

[NRaleighLiberal]

5. already happening...my dentist texts me.

[FLPanhandle]

6. My dentist and vet only text now.

I love it.

[JI7]

7. it already is in many cases

[lame54]

8. i get text from my dentist office reminding me of upcoming appointments

[politicat]

9. Dentist, optometrist and pharmacy already do.

I suspect my doctor will within 1-2 years. Vet doesn't, but they're barely to win 95 in their computers.

My bank can text me my balance daily, and a few other opt in services.

I'm pretty sure I can opt in with my credit cards for some notifications.

[meMeMEEEE]

10. I send texts to clients

It's way better than email, they do not usually read their incoming emails, but they open up texts and they are always in meetings so voicemail/calls is not an option

[DanTex]

11. It already is, and I like it.

Getting a text when, say, a prescription is ready, or to remind you of an appointment or whatever is quicker and easier than having to either answer a call or check a voicemail.

[Ampersand Unicode]

12. I hope never. At least I hope they don't abandon the old methods for the new.

I don't have or want a cell phone and would hate if this becomes mainstream, because then I'd be forced to get one.

I fear even more if social media becomes the de facto mode of communication, with texting second -- and land lines and postal mail phased out like rotary dials and pay phones.

NB: I'm 18 and way behind my generation in terms of embracing new technologies. I don't even have an email address. Already they're talking about phasing out car keys in favor of some sort of Bluetooth authentication with your iPhone or something. That would leave me SOL in terms of driving if my car ever dies and I'm forced to get the Applemobile.

[DireStrike]

13. Probably shortly after the fax goes away.

[Kalidurga]

27. wait wut?

People still fax?

[DireStrike]

30. Not only that, they assume that YOU can send and receive faxes

and that you would prefer to do that instead of getting an email.

[Kalidurga]

31. wow

I am tech impaired and I still don't get this.

[Lars39]

14. My dentist won't text me to remind about meds

because of HIPAA concerns, so there are limitations.

[hobbit709]

15. I don't text.

My cell phone has the capability but I never set it up and there's only about 10 people that have that number.
I don't give my cell number out to anyone.

[gollygee]

16. I get texts

from the doctor, kid's orthodontist, dentist, lots of places.

[ecstatic]

17. When it's clear that EVERYONE is proficient in receiving and responding to texts

Right now, automated texts from businesses are opt-in only. When sending an important message, you have to feel confident that the recipient will read it. There are still a lot of people (mainly older people) who either can't or don't text and don't notice incoming texts. Also, if you have ADHD or a lot going on, you might hear the text notification and forget to check it. Once those potential weaknesses are addressed, more businesses might use texting. For now, it's too risky and could result in a lot of misunderstandings and missed appointments.

[Threedifferentones]

18. 15 years?! My eye doctor just sent me a text as a reminder. So, more like yesterday...nt

[snooper2]

19. you know doctors still wear pagers right? faxes aren't going anywhere either :)

[AngryAmish]

21. I HATE voicemail.

Slowly teaching everyone that if they want to communicate with me it is email or text. If you leave a voicemail, especially a minute long ramble, you are an asshole.

[tabbycat31]

23. Same

If it were okay, I'd even say not to leave a message in my greeting.

Luckily my generation seems to get it. And I use texts for work all the time.

[kiva]

34. Why can't you put it in your greeting?

If it's your private phone, you can do that; if it's your employer's phone and they want you to accept voicemail, then it doesn't matter what you want. And saying "Luckily my generation seems to get it" is really a pretty nasty comment.

[tabbycat31]

35. I also use my phone for work

And that does not look good. (I do get a subsidy to help pay my bill).

As for my generation getting it, well there has been Buzzfeed quizzes on 'should i leave a voicemail' and much has been written about it. I think the difference between cell phones and landlines (the latter of which I last had when I lived with my parents) is that you can see a missed call on a cell. If I see my BFF calls me, I will return the call and there's no need to leave a message. In the days of landlines, you would not see the missed call. I do not need to hear "Hi Caroline this is XYZ, call me back" when a missed call says the same thing. If XYZ knew me well enough, he/she would text me the message instead.

On my old phone, my greeting said to leave a text first, but the greeting I have now is the generic Sprint greeting.

http://www.buzzfeed.com/joannaborns/voicemails-bad#4alper3 (the comments in the article show a generational divide).

http://gawker.com/5989952/modern-mobile-etiquette-dont-leave-me-a-voicemail-unless-youre-dying/all

The only times I personally leave voicemail are if I'm calling a landline, someone that does not text, or someone over 60. I text most work related business. It's a matter of know your audience.

ETA I will leave a voicemail if it is my first time calling said person and they would not know my #.

[kiva]

38. I'm not a huge fan of voicemail either,

but have left the option on my phone because not everyone I know communicates in the same way.

[NuclearDem]

24. My dentist and vet do it.

At work, my bosses at my current and previous jobs texted if they needed anything.

[seveneyes]

25. When people accept verbing nouns

Maybe when device coverage is 100% nationwide and reliable.

[JustAnotherGen]

26. Already is

I get consistent appointment reminders via txt (borders on stalking ) from my Dentist. Chase texts me all the time as I get a lot of fraud attempts on my accounts.

[herding cats]

28. My doctor and dentist both text me.

In both cases I checked a box on my paperwork saying that was an acceptable form of communication for specific items.

[SheilaT]

29. I don't text, and not sure if I ever will

despite how much my adult kids and adult nieces and nephews complain to me that I don't.

I do email, which is how my regular doctor now reminds me of appointments. The last time I had an eye appointment earlier this year the reminder was a voicemail.

As long as they don't stop voicemail or email any time soon, it will work out just fine.

And a lot of companies apparently still fax, because every so often when I'm doing some sort of paperwork I'll be asked to fax stuff. I can't do that, but my printer is also a copier and scanner, so I'll scan the paperwork to my computer then send an email with attachment. While I currently opt out of some technologies, I mostly like the ones I do use.

[fizzgig]

32. i get text reminders for my therapist appointments

i love it.

[Spider Jerusalem]

33. My dentist already sends text messages to confirm appontments (n/t)

[Marrah_G]

36. They already do

I sometimes text with my boss and co-workers.

[ProdigalJunkMail]

37. my dentists email and text

email reminders about a week before appt and then a text a couple of days before with a request to respond to verify you're planning on being there...

sP

[tammywammy]

39. I get text messages from the dr, dentist, hair dresser.

I just got a message today that I'm overdue for a vision checkup.

I also get texts from other places too.