Arrogant Autoresponders

A site visitor was curious and pondered…

I was the recipient of yet another “email” faux pas, the automatic reply, one that has not been carefully checked before the “enter” key was struck, to whit:

I sent an email requesting information for an article. I received, in part, the following automated reply: ” … it might take some time before I can answer your email. My apologies. I will be checking my email on a regular basis though, so if it’s important I’ll try to get back to you as soon as I can.”

Emphasis is mine. First of all who will determine the importance of my inquiry? “IF it’s important …?” “I will TRY to get back to you….”

The upshot of this email was first, disgust that I am not dealing with the professional I thought I was, and second, to trash the email and
remove references to them from my article.

To those who complain I “harp on the issue of perception ad nauseam”, here is a perfect example of how the words you choose and how you choose to use them can have an affect in regard to how you are perceived. I agree with this site visitor that this message would rub me the wrong way for the very same reasons.

Using an autoresponder to let contacts know you are away, will be busy and there may be a delay in response is one thing. To make them feel as though they have to go through your vetting process and wonder if they will ever hear from you is another.

Maybe it’s time we review Business Away Message Etiquette.

Do you have an example of an autoresponder gone wrong?

Some More Info for You:

1. Business Email Away Message Etiquette
2. Jumping to Conclusions…
3. E-mail Away Message Basics
4. “Out of Office” Auto-spam
5. Do You Get E-mails that are Shooting Blanks?