Was I really being rude???

[DGoddessChardonnay]

That's stupid people pushing the Redial button... It doesn't occur to them that the last number IS the wrong number

I think that's what I ran into at home a few years back when someone (she sounded like an older lady) who kept calling our 2nd line asking for "Betty."

For several weeks, this went on and each time I'd try my best to explain to her that she had dialed the wrong number and there was no one by the name of Betty here.

Then after a few weeks of this, one night she kept calling several times within the space of a half hour (maybe, IIRC) and, after continuing to try to get it through her brain that she had the wrong number (by this time I think even my brother had had enough of hearing that line ringing, IIRC) I thought of something to do . . .

She called back again and I told her "Betty's over at Fred's making the bed ROCK!" and hung up the phone.

Never heard from her again . .

[Daemonmonkey]

While that would make sense to the people who get numbers similar to such places, commercially it makes very little sense, as any business is going to want to distinguish itself from its competition. Having similar numbers to each other is not going to help in that regard. I know that if I owned my own bar, I would not want the bar's number to be very close to that of Rapscallion's Tavern or Beck's Brewpub. After all, I would hate for people to be trying to reach my business and accidentally get my competitors...as that could potentially be business of mine going to them.

I think I've been a bit unclear what I ment.

What I ment is that if an organization has the number 12345, then the numbers 12344 and 12346 would be assigned to that specific org.

Or you could have a special area code for them.

Or for taking your example, no Bar numbers near each-other, but with several other business around, etc easy done by computer software.

[Jester]

What I ment is that if an organization has the number 12345, then the numbers 12344 and 12346 would be assigned to that specific org..

But then you'd still get other businesses or residences with the numbers 12343 and 12347. Not to mention 12335, etc.

In other words, while I know you had good intentions, there really is no simple solution to this phenomenon.

[Gravekeeper]

Not rude at all. ;p

Next time (if there is one) don't say 'you've dialed a wrong number'. Makes them defensive and they get mad at you.

This falls under my "Too bad so sad" clause. With a wrong number I really don't give a damn how they feel about it. It's their mistake and I will simply hang up if they can't accept it.

[Skeen]

"DO YOU UNDERSTAND THE WORDS THAT ARE COMING OUT OF MY MOUTH?"

Oh goddamnit. Now I'm simply not going to be happy until I watch this movie again.