What is the proper expression one should use when one calls a stranger?

[sky753]

Hello Everyone,

I am now working as a salesman, promoting our products to foreign markets.I usually telephone someone whom I have never met before or call someone after I have only e-mailed him several times.Under such circumstances, what polite expressions should I use in order not to disturb him?

Thanks and regards

Weiqun

[rancher247]

Hi. I googled "telephone etiquette" and found the following results:
Customer Service: Top 10 Telephone Blunders in Everyday Business
Telephone Etiquette Guide
Telephone etiquette
Phone Etiquette
Hope these help!

[RonBee]

Always identify yourself first. Don't just blurt out questions. Don't use the person's first name. Say This is so and so with such and such company, and I would like to speak to so and so about such and such.

~R

[sky753]

Originally Posted by rancher247

Hi. I googled "telephone etiquette" and found the following results:
Customer Service: Top 10 Telephone Blunders in Everyday Business
Telephone Etiquette Guide
Telephone etiquette
Phone Etiquette
Hope these help!

Thank you very much for offering such wonderful websites, and I have visited one of the sites. There are two points in the paragraph I can't understand .Could you please explain them to me once more?

The paragraph are as follows.

How to End Conversations Gracefully
There are several ways that you can end a long phone call without making up a story or sounding rude:

1. Leave the conversation open.
2. Promise to finish your discussion at another time.
3. End on an "up" note.
4. Tell the person how much you've enjoyed speaking with him/her.

As long as you are honest and polite with the other person, you shouldn't have any problems getting off the phone and onto something else.

Can you explain 1 and 3 to me?

Thanks and best regards

Weiqun

[toucar]

He shall Say : Hello How do you do

[rancher247]

weiqun ding-I'm not 100% sure about what these mean.
1. maybe to end the conversation peacefully and not forcefully
3. The two people in the conversation reach a consensus, agree about something, generally talk about something positive?

[Tdol]

I think they mean:
1 Don't sugest at the end of the conversation that everything has been said- leave it 'open' so that there could be another call, which gives you the chance to ring back if you want.
3 I agree with Rancher- finish on a positive note.