(800) 511-8544 -- Speak with the CEO -- 7 days a week 12:00-4:00PM

http://www.wesabe.com/page/talk_to_jason

by staunch • 19 years ago

15 4 19 years ago

dougw• 19 years ago

This sounds like a wonderful idea. Not entirely new, but a great way to keep one ear to the ground during the critical phase of business development where you want to get a solid product core out to users.

However, this could never scale with growth. I don't think this is a problem as the early adoption gives way to regular customers and viral growth, but they need to plan for proper customer support after directly calling the CEO is no longer viable.

danielha• 19 years ago

I don't think anyone believes this to be their proper customer support line in the short or long term.

This is a popular way to become personable to your customers. This is exemplified further in smaller mom-and-pop shops where intimacy is a selling factor.

Few people will call, but many will feel good knowing that their calls will be answered by the main man.

Nate• 19 years ago

This is just another company offering to "help" you with your credit card debt.

Probably, the only reason that you can talk to the CEO is because there aren't any other employees to talk to. It's likely the company doesn't have many customers either.

precipice• 19 years ago

I'm Marc Hedlund, one of the founders of the company.

We have eight employees total, and yes, we have a real support line (support@wesabe.com). I usually answer, but you can talk to any of us through it. You can also write me directly at marc@wesabe.com if you want to.

The 800 number has been great, and I'd recommend it to any startup. We put it up there since we're handling privacy-sensitive information, and we wanted people to be able to talk to an actual person about what we do. I figured the absolute worst case was that Jason would spend a lot of time talking to customers and potential customers. Seems like a great worst case to me. (The second-worst case, that no one calls, has a pretty low cost associated with it.)

Anyway, it's worth doing for any startup, I think. People love talking to people, and an anonymous web site isn't as friendly as a phone number you can call. Doug is right that it won't scale, but for now, all the possible outcomes are good.

(800) 511-8544 -- Speak with the CEO -- 7 days a week 12:00-4:00PM

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