So, I have this phone problem. My company does Web development, strategic planning, that kind of thing. However, my phone number is one digit off from a medical supply store. You also can reverse two digits and get a chiropractic office. As a result, I get a number of interesting callers.

The calls intended for the chiropractic office are always trying to schedule or cancel an appointment–usually they’re cancelling. Once, as soon as I answered the phone, a caller started complaining rather angrily about the neck pain he had been experiencing since his last visit. When I told him he had the wrong number, he at first did not believe me. I gave him the correct number and suggested he try that one. I then wished him good luck with his neck pain. He was quite sheepish when he hung up, and I could tell he still was uncertain as to whether I actually was the chiropractic office just trying to brush him off.

One of my favorite calls was the very first call I received for the medical supply store. The middle-aged female caller said:

Yes, hi. My husband, he wears those tight nylon support stockings that improve circulation to your legs. Do you carry those? And do you have them in both black and brown?

I had no idea what she was talking about.

Then there was the call from the pharmacy:

Hi, this is Steve from [pharmacy name]. What’s the largest container of rubbing alcohol that you sell?

Moments ago, I received a call from someone asking if I carried a specific brand of reclining chairs that had been recommended by her doctor. I let her know that I do not but suggested she call the medical supply store. I gave her the number.

These people are all very appreciative when I tell them the correct number. I sometimes wonder if either of these other two companies get calls from people seeking Web services. Probably not.