Suggestion Cell Phone Jammer

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MitchelC

MitchelC

MGF, Master Grumble Framer
Joined
Sep 19, 2010
Posts
707
Loc
Charleston, SC
Business
Custom Framing
It's getting worse and worse... people using cellphones. Now and then, a customer comes in with a cellphone and while i am helping them select mats, frame, etc., they were talking or :fire: TEXTING! I thought i had this problem solved... i put up a sign saying "Turn OFF Your Cell Phone". That did not work so i took it down and i purchased a "cell phone jammer". Niceeee! Easy to use. I turn it ON if a customer has "cellphonitis" and OFF when they leave. They ask me why they can't use their cellphone in my shop and i tell them "The problem must be your cellphone." or "This is always happening at different times of the day... someone said it was the satellite." or "It always does that when my computerized mat cutter is on." or blah... blah... blah....
 
I would probably punch you in the face.
Who made you the cell phone police?
 
blackiris said:
Who made you the cell phone police?
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I know it is annoying and rude on the part of the customer, so I just walk away and start doing something else, like turning on the air compressor, cut a metal frame or go do a fitting. When they are done, I resume my discussion with them. I just don't let there rudeness get to me.
 
Seems like a stupid idea to me. While cellphone chatters can be frustrating, if they're paying customers it's not worth pissing them off so you can feel a little less annoyed.

Not to mention the fact that they are illegal. I hope no one has a heart attack in the area while you're playing that game...
 
Cell phones make me a lot of sales.
"I'll just get confirmation that the amount is ok NOW!"

As annoying as they can be, it is illegal most places to interfere with a cell phone signal. If somebody catches on, it could bring new grief.

Since I am the primary contact for a number of emergency numbers, I would not do business in a place without cell service.

On the other hand, I never take a routine call while doing business. I wish everybody had manners, but they don't.
 
You cant tell me...... that you SERIOUSLY get that many customers talking on their phones while you are helping them......
How hard is it to ask them to hang up if its bothering you that much?:kaffeetrinker_2:
People annoy me by how they smell and what they pick out..... should I risk making them upset because of that? NO.... I get the FREBREZE out and talk them into something better.....

I multi task all the time...I have kids at home... plus parents that are CRAZY..... I'll be damned if I let someone tell me when and where I can use my cell phone.
 
People's reception drops from 4 bars outside my shop to 1 or 2 inside. Big old brick building, blocks radio and cell reception pretty effectively. Don't need a cell blocker :)
 
azoq said:
Seems like a stupid idea to me. While cellphone chatters can be frustrating, if they're paying customers it's not worth pissing them off so you can feel a little less annoyed.

Not to mention the fact that they are illegal. I hope no one has a heart attack in the area while you're playing that game...
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They have a very limited range. Basically, the store or if you are driving, then a couple of cars around you.
 
blackiris said:
You cant tell me...... that you SERIOUSLY get that many customers talking on their phones while you are helping them......
How hard is it to ask them to hang up if its bothering you that much?:kaffeetrinker_2:
People annoy me by how they smell and what they pick out..... should I risk making them upset because of that? NO.... I get the FREBREZE out and talk them into something better.....

I multi task all the time...I have kids at home... plus parents that are CRAZY..... I'll be damned if I let someone tell me when and where I can use my cell phone.
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NO SMOKING sign in public places? :icon21: Absurd! I'll be damned if i let someone tell me when and where i can smoke! (Note: Just pickin'... i don't smoke.)
 
blackiris said:
You cant tell me...... that you SERIOUSLY get that many customers talking on their phones while you are helping them......
How hard is it to ask them to hang up if its bothering you that much?:kaffeetrinker_2:
People annoy me by how they smell and what they pick out..... should I risk making them upset because of that? NO.... I get the FREBREZE out and talk them into something better.....

I multi task all the time...I have kids at home... plus parents that are CRAZY..... I'll be damned if I let someone tell me when and where I can use my cell phone.
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Need I remind you that you should NOT be talking on a cell phone while driving unless it is hands free??

How about the really annoying people in the checkout line talking really loud into their cell phone about where they are and how much their hemorrhoids are hurting , etc??
People talking on their cell phone or texting while they are driving are a definite hazard on the road and I for one would LOVE to block their signal so everyone around them would be a bit safer on the road.
 
OH THE BLASPHMEY!!!

ALL these youngin's using cell phones.. and facebook... oh lordy !!
THe kids these days are just sooo rude. WE never did that back when I was a kid.

WELL GUESS WHAT.......... we have running water now..... and the wheel.... :thumbsup:

People need to get over it.... You cant control how other people act.. unless they are your kids..... then you can just ground them.... :D
 
blackiris said:
OH THE BLASPHMEY!!!

ALL these youngin's using cell phones.. and facebook... oh lordy !!
THe kids these days are just sooo rude. WE never did that back when I was a kid.

WELL GUESS WHAT.......... we have running water now..... and the wheel.... :thumbsup:

People need to get over it.... You cant control how other people act.. unless they are your kids..... then you can just ground them.... :D
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Actually you can control how others act in your shop. It just depends on how strongly you feel about their actions and how may customers you're willing to lose by standing your ground ;)

I've had several customers over the years : enter the shop talking on their cell phone, nod to me, wait for me to get their order, pay their balance and walk out of the shop while still carrying on their cell conversation..... all without saying a word to me. I'll grin and bear it... but that doesn't make it right.

I do agree that using a jammer is a bad idea. If you feel so strongly about it just busy yourself with other tasks until they finish their call.
 
MitchelC said:
...They ask me why they can't use their cellphone in my shop and i tell them "The problem must be your cellphone." or "This is always happening at different times of the day...
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Why lie to them? If you choose to restrict their use of their phones, why not tell them the truth - that you simply refuse to allow cell phone use in your store?

If you are concerned that some potential customers might walk out, knowing the truth, then perhaps your policy needs to be reconsidered.
 
First came the phone police telling me it has to be hands free. Then came the no texting cops. But no one said i cant use my ipad when I drive and smoke too. Kidding, I dont smoke either.
 
I looked into getting one but thought best not to due to the legality issues. But I would LOVE to have the balls to have one. Good for you.
 
MichaelMixonPhotography said:
... I've had several customers over the years : enter the shop talking on their cell phone, nod to me, wait for me to get their order, pay their balance and walk out of the shop while still carrying on their cell conversation..... all without saying a word to me.....
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That happens all the time here ... sadly, just part of over congested, idiotic, life in the OC.

Not only for pickups either ... I've had people talk on their cell all the time we've been designing their framing order ...

One time I had a gal here for a couple of hours arguing constantly with her boyfriend ... she'd wander outside when things got really heated ... but unfortunately still within earshot ... eventually we picked something she liked, she paid, and finally left ... still arguing on the phone!
 
How many of you ask your customer to wait if your phone rings while you're at the design table?

See!? Now stop it.
 
johnny said:
How many of you ask your customer to wait if your phone rings while you're at the design table?

See!? Now stop it.
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I always answer the phone while I'm at the front desk and then get that persons info and offer to call them back as I'm with a customer right now. No one has gotten upset for that.
 
I could see going into the back and work on something while they were on the phone and then when they got off, I would tell them I'm on break and could they wait for about 15 minutes.
 
CAframer said:
Not only for pickups either ... I've had people talk on their cell all the time we've been designing their framing order ...
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I had quite a few of those. I had to get into the habit of just walking away and working in the back. Some people got it and hung up right after that, others just kept on talking, not even aware that I'd left the room (I think those people tended to assume that I'd design some options for them and they'd approve or pooh-pooh them when they were finished).

I think what really annoyed me was the total lack of consideration of my time. I realize that life is busy and people have multiple irons in the fire but you know what? I do, too. I'm not a slave or servant, set out there to just stand and wait for the privilege of someone's acknowledgment. I'm trying to make a living and support myself.

The indignation expressed (and rather shocking reaction of wanting to punch someone) is over the top, to me, considering that we're talking about an item that, for the majority of people, is a luxury and a privilege to have.
 
Guess I'm lucky, our building blocks almost all cell phone signals. It is steel framed, sheathed in steel, covered with steel nesh and 2 coats of stucco . I guess all the steel somehow blocks the signals, but at least it's totally huricane proof.
 
kdub said:
The indignation expressed (and rather shocking reaction of wanting to punch someone) is over the top, to me, considering that we're talking about an item that, for the majority of people, is a luxury and a privilege to have.
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I support myself and my kids........ no one has the right to tell me I cant use my phone in thier place of business.... what if the kids called... or there was an accident.... OH ... oh maybe your brother is crashing on life support in the hospital.... would not have been good to miss that call ya think?
All because someone decided that having people on their cell phones was annoying?
Ask them to get off of it. If they dont.... walk away... GEEZ!
 
blackiris said:
I support myself and my kids........ no one has the right to tell me I cant use my phone in thier place of business....
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Actually, yes business can and DO have that right. Doctor's offices, hospitals, and airlines (with respect to airplanes), court and civil offices to name a few...they all ask, and people generally comply with those rules.

blackiris said:
what if the kids called... or there was an accident.... OH ... oh maybe your brother is crashing on life support in the hospital.... would not have been good to miss that call ya think?
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I'm pretty sure that if a customer received a call about a brother crashing in the ER...they'd likely leave their framing design session AND GO TO THE HOSPITAL. I'm not talking about emergency calls--framing is not life and death, after all. I'm speaking to those 98% of phone calls that have more to do with what's going to be served at dinnertime than about the elementary school being on lockdown because of a crazy lunatic is out on the loose. If someone takes a call and it's not an emergency, then etiquette dictates to hang it up.

blackiris said:
All because someone decided that having people on their cell phones was annoying?
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No, because IT'S RUDE.

blackiris said:
Walk away... GEEZ!
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YeAh, I dO.
 
cell phones

Our local, state and federal court buildings and jail do not allow cell phones to be brought in. Some public schools do not allow their use at all in the buildings either. Cell phone usage is not allowed while driving through school zones (at least in IL).

Chris
 
I don't like people coming in and talking on the phone when they want service. IT shows a lack of respect for the person taking care of them. A cell phone conversation is not like a group of people coming in and discussing a job.
Somehow the phone conversation has become more important than the real person in front of you. That's what makes us the maddest. And because most of the time its just not important. I have nieces and a nephew who talk and check these things all the time but know enough to put them away for real people.
 
Imagine me apologizing to customers who try to use their cell phone in my shop about the lousy reception.

"Try over there by the front window" I tell them.

They call their spouses to describe their framing choices, even take a picture of it to send on the spot. Hey, instant approval from wifey! Let's place that order NOW! I love it! Heck, I even encourage them to call out as well as answer a call. I simply file paperwork or rehang samples while they talk.

Send your cell phone usin' customers to me. I am a salesperson and I will do what I have to do to separate them from their money. That's why I'm here.

I will tell you that I expect my customers to have decent manners and treat me with respect, but I do the same for them.

Cell phone jammers are NOT good manners, imho. (hey that almost rhymes)

edie the giverespectgetrespect goddess
 
kdub said:
Actually, yes business can and DO have that right. Doctor's offices, hospitals, and airlines (with respect to airplanes), court and civil offices to name a few...they all ask, and people generally comply with those rules.
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Apples and cucumbers. Airlines forbid the use of cell phones due to FAA regulations and the fact that they can interfere with the electrical systems of an aircraft.

Any business has a right to request that cell phones not be used, but very few can outright forbid them. Which is not to say that a customer cannot be shown the door if they refuse to cooperate or disrupt other people. Think theaters.

kdub said:
No, because IT'S RUDE.
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And yet still not an excuse to break the law.
 
Framing Goddess said:
Imagine me apologizing to customers who try to use their cell phone in my shop about the lousy reception.

"Try over there by the front window" I tell them.

They call their spouses to describe their framing choices, even take a picture of it to send on the spot. Hey, instant approval from wifey! Let's place that order NOW! I love it! Heck, I even encourage them to call out as well as answer a call. I simply file paperwork or rehang samples while they talk.

Send your cell phone usin' customers to me. I am a salesperson and I will do what I have to do to separate them from their money. That's why I'm here.

I will tell you that I expect my customers to have decent manners and treat me with respect, but I do the same for them.

Cell phone jammers are NOT good manners, imho. (hey that almost rhymes)

edie the giverespectgetrespect goddess
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What the Goddess says.....

Bring in art and money and I will let you talk and talk....
 
I love people coming into
the shop while talking on their cell phone... or getting a phone call... or making
a phone call . . .

they came in.
they want framing...

so I get to design uninterrupted... and I work up my design in the computer...
and I'm ready with the good news when they get off.

Some have even come around and looked at the total.... choked, agreed,
and given me their phone number to look up their records.... and left.. having
never told be where it was going, what they want to spend, what they had
in mind... etc

but then, I just love Nancy..... she's a "woman on the go"... and the wife of
a wonderful surgeon (who understands), and busy mom and volunteer...

one time she actually stopped herself... held her hand over the phone and told
me that it wasn't for her... it was for a school auction and please keep it under
$200... that was code for "regular glass". :D

but then she went back to her phone conversation..... :thumbsup:
 
I once got a $2000 framing job because I didn't tell the guy (customer) to put out his cigar as the previous shop that he went to did. :cool:
Business is business, I don't have to live with him.
These people may be rude, just take the money and laugh all the way to the bank.
 
Lets face it, people are rude and cell phones are a great tool for rude people. I have looked into cell phone jammers before for my store but decided to just go with the different cell phone stores in our mall. What do I mean by that???? Next time you are in a mall walking around, watch how your "bars" on your phone change as you are walking around and then take note on where the low signal points are...usually you will be near a competitor of whatever service you have. The companies would never admit it but they do send out signals to interfere with their competitors, it helps their sales.

Me, being in a mall, I probably have more people in my store talking on their cell phones in a week than many of you have in a month, 6 months, or even a year. The ones that are a real pain in the butt are the ones who when they do get off the phone, then complain right away that nobody has talked to them.

What it comes down to is that our world is going down the toilet when it comes to social ability and politeness. get used to it, it's only going to get worse.
 
You are correct sir! People are mostly very rude (and lazy). I go to the Circle K in the morning to get a soda and people take their straw wrapper and throw it on the floor or they crumple up their trash and leave it at the register even though the thrash containers are right there at their fingertips.
Interestingly, when I hold a door for someone, and I do it for men and women, the men usually thank me, the women walk through and look at me like I'm from another planet.
Maybe I am. :party:
 
neilframer said:
I once got a $2000 framing job because I didn't tell the guy (customer) to put out his cigar as the previous shop that he went to did. :cool:
Business is business, I don't have to live with him.
These people may be rude, just take the money and laugh all the way to the bank.
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I would've asked if he had another cigar for me, then stepped outside with him to savor them. Oh, and some whiskey or bourbon, too.
 
Baer Charlton said:
I love people coming into
the shop while talking on their cell phone... or getting a phone call... or making
a phone call . . .

they came in.
they want framing...

so I get to design uninterrupted... and I work up my design in the computer...
and I'm ready with the good news when they get off.

:
Click to expand...

EXACTLY! Who is it that pays your bills? The customer! I get this all the time. I just let them finish thier call and design away while they are busy. They come back to me and the design is drop dead gorgeous. Sold.

We are there for the customer's convenience. Why push them away? I don't know about you, but I can't afford to be choosy.

Today I welcomed a customer with two Bichons. We all made a fuss over the dogs. The customer was delighted and placed her order. No big deal.

Last week I had a guide dog loose his lunch on my carpet. We cleaned it up. We made the sale and the customer returned again tihis week to place another order. She even brought a bottle of carpet cleaner when she returned. No big deal.

I tried on a pair of boots today at a small independent shoe store. I paused in the process to take a call from my daughter. The salesman politely waited. No big deal. Then I handed him my credit card. We were both happy and I will be back.

I have been in business for 35 years and I have learned many lessons. The number one lesson is: The customer is king.

(Loved your comment, Edie--"Over there by the window." Yes!)
 
Sign me up for a jammer. More to mess with the drivers I see out my front window texting! Our new law has hardly put a dent in this very dangerous practice. I also would use when I see someone behind me using their phone illegally. Always scared I will get rear ended.

Very rude to use in my business. Unless it's life or death. Just wonder how in the world we were able to survive without them.

This is funny.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YipUwUdPUGE
 
FWIW

The Federal Communications Commission is charged with enforcing jamming laws. However, the agency has not yet prosecuted anyone for cell-phone jamming. Under the U.S. rules, fines for a first offense can range as high as $11,000 for each violation or imprisonment for up to one year, and the device used may also be seized and forfeited to the government.
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I had a problem with one customer on the phone. I don't really care if they are on it or not.

A cell phone lost me an order because the wife wasn't sure about the price, and the husband said go for it... BUTTTTTT

As he was saying go for it HE got a phone call on his phone, and started walking away. the wife picked up the canvas and walked away with him.

SO THAT DAY I was mad at cell phones!!!!!!!!!
 
What a day it will be when Klaatu comes to Earth!!:thumbsup:
 
I'd like to have one of those jammers. And a rocket launcher for those guys that modify their Harleys to make noise!

But the fact is, I am in business.

No matter how you cut it, two wrongs do not make a right.

The fact that some of us think it is ok to flaunt the law for our own purposes gives me pause.
 
Would this work?

Many stores post signs such as please enjoy your ice cream/food/coffee/etc outside. The business owner is exercising their right to have a sticky-free store. I see no problem with that.

What if the store owner was to install one of these jammers with a very clear sign stating that this is a cell phone free area. Please enjoy your cell phone outside. Very simple -- If you want to use your phone, please do it outside.

I have to admit that I do not own a cell phone and I find it quite incredible how uncivil their use has become.

True story: I was in a restaurant the other day and there was a family of two adults and two teenagers sitting at a table beside us. I looked over and it appeared as if they were giving thanks for the meal by bowing their heads and I thought isn't that nice. You don't see that very often anymore. That was until I realized that each one had a cell phone on their laps and they were all texting and reading messages - NOT saying a word to each other! Sharing family time in the new millenium:-)
 
Just like anything else when you offer rights without teaching responsibility, you get benign abuse.
Having learned so much from my parents, I am saddened to see how a whole generation is learning from mass media and their peer groups. I don't think respect is old fashioned at all. It is timeless.

On the other hand my curious side loves to listen in on half of the conversation. I've related this before, but it is a classic cell phone evesdropping (though I really didn't have to listen very hard at all). Two women were in my shop picking out some framing for prints of manatees. One kept getting calls and she would talk for a few minutes and hang up. This continued for the half hour they were in the shop. Probably 4-5 calls in all.
Turns out that she was the owner manager of an "escort service" and she was doing business with clients as we spoke. She was rather open about it, and the other woman asked her if she thought I might want to trade for framing. I interupted at that point and declined the offer and finished the deal.
The business was busted a couple months lateer, and since this wasn't the first time the "madam" served some hard time for her enterprize. I still have her manatee prints.

So bring on the cell phones. There are some great stories yet to be told.
 
wpfay said:
Just like anything else when you offer rights without teaching responsibility, you get benign abuse.
Having learned so much from my parents, I am saddened to see how a whole generation is learning from mass media and their peer groups. I don't think respect is old fashioned at all. It is timeless.

On the other hand my curious side loves to listen in on half of the conversation. I've related this before, but it is a classic cell phone evesdropping (though I really didn't have to listen very hard at all). Two women were in my shop picking out some framing for prints of manatees. One kept getting calls and she would talk for a few minutes and hang up. This continued for the half hour they were in the shop. Probably 4-5 calls in all.
Turns out that she was the owner manager of an "escort service" and she was doing business with clients as we spoke. She was rather open about it, and the other woman asked her if she thought I might want to trade for framing. I interupted at that point and declined the offer and finished the deal.
The business was busted a couple months lateer, and since this wasn't the first time the "madam" served some hard time for her enterprize. I still have her manatee prints.

So bring on the cell phones. There are some great stories yet to be told.
Click to expand...

You'd have been better off with the trade! :thumbsup::thumbsup:
 
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