Email Suggestions, Please.

[Chae Hwang]

Hi everyone,
Let me go over my problem. I recently opened a yahoo email account, thinking it would be good to have free service account with a customizable screen for news, sports and such.
After, I received my business cards, with the email address printed on them, I tried to log into my account, and got a message saying my email was deactivated, and that I could not reactivate it. I have emailed Yahoo, many times asking why they deactivated my account, and got no reply. My internet service is through Charter.net, and have an account with them but I find their email cumbersome and slow.
My questions are:
Is this a common problem with Yahoo?
Do I have any other recourse with yahoo?
Should I just stay with the Charter email account?
Any other suggestions? Thanks

 

[Em Tee]

I've had yahoo email for many, many years with no problem. I even called them recently (had to leave a voice mail message) but they called me back within a couple of hours and helped with my problem (I accidentally deleted a folder of important emails). Check their Help section and you'll find their phone number.

 

[Marty Skolnik]

As a small businessperson I tend to look at the way other small businesses are set up and what their "image" is. When I look for professionals to do services for me (either subcontracting or for home repairs) or when I go to professional trade shows or when I meet other real estate professionals (brokers, inspectors, lawyers) I check out other people's brochures, business cards, web sites, etc.

When I see a @aol.com or @yahoo.com or similar "freebie" email account, I tend to discount their "professionalism". Similarly, if I get a business card that looks like it came off of their home computer printer, I tend to discount their "professionalism" (you know -- micoperfed edges, flat printing, lightweight cardstock).

They may be experts in their field. They may be wonderful people and do a good job. But, if they can't spend the $75 on 1,000 printed business cards or can't/won't spend the $20-$40 per month to get their own domain name and email account, I don't tend to do business with them. And I know a lot of other buiness people (both small business and Fortune 500 businesses) that agree.

I'm all in favor of saving a few dollars here and there because every dollar I save goes right into my pocket. But I think that, as small business professionals, we should project a facade of professionalism, even if we are working out of a spare bedroom or basement or some back office 2-flights-down-in-back-of-the-alley.

Just my 2cents but skip the @aol.com and the @yahoo.com and @hotmail.com and get a professional sounding email address and website.

Marty Skolnik
Baltimore

 

[Jeff Horton]

I have to agree (for the most part) with Marty. Buy a domain and use that email. It looks much more proffesional. I would at least use the charter account.

Yahoo and other free accounts make me suspicious too.

I don't agree on pritning your own business cards if you do a good job but thats another subject.

 

[Head Surfer]

I would never consider using a Yahoo or Hot mail account for business. In fact, it is against Hotmail terms of service to use for business. I don't know about Yahoo, but I don't think it was intended for business.

I do know that of the spam emails I used to get most were forged Yahoo and Hotmail email addresses. Is that how you want to portray your business?

I also know that Hotmail and Yahoo sometimes loses emails or ties them up for several yours before they get delivered.

There are many web services that will no longer accept Yahoo, Hotmail or any free email accounts when you sign up due to abuse by these accounts.

 

[Mountain Man]

In stead of using a freebie email for your business, consider reversing them. I use a freebie email for personal things, and when ordering stuff on line. My "real" email, through my internet provider, is reserved for business.
I've found that helps cut down on the spam. When I order something, they get my "other" email. Then I just check it, and delete every so often. B)

 

[josephdifranco]

Yahoo user for a long time now. It has never been a problem. Its nice that its free, but you do get some spam. They send obvious spam to a "bulk mail" folder, however, some does get through to me.

I guess I agree that it is more professional to get your own domain. I suppose if you have more conservative larger clients, or are going after some, it might be worth it. However, my clients know I am a one man outfit, love the service, and don't give a damn about my domain.

Good luck,

 

[Em Tee]

Ditto what the others said - I also have a business email, but since you were only inquiring about Yahoo, that's all I commented on.

 

[DB]

Jeff ..... I'm with you on the business cards ..... I can print my own and use heavy stock and make them look as good as anything you can buy .... If you have a good software package and good to excellent printer, you can hardly tell the difference. I even went so far and to go to a local printer and buy card boxes for 25cents a piece and put my cards in them so they aren't flying all over the truck. I even went so far as to "duplex print" my cards with a temporary receipt on the back, just incase I ran out of invoices for COD's ..... B)

 

[CANative]

Jeezooo! We're responsible for millions and millions of dollars worth of real estate each year and you guys are using hot mail, yay-hoo and aol and printing your own business cards out of your bedroom.

:rofl: Maybe you should take a bus to inspect properties and drive off the comps.... it's only a dollar. :rofl:

Welcome to the forum Chae. Pay no attention to me.