Okay, I’ve a believer in good, concise sig lines as much as the next person. But this little bit, extracted off the end of an e-mail I received (numbers altered to protect the innocent) is maybe a bit too concise.
d: 213.366.4047
tf: 800.691.0575, option 3, x24047
f: 818.315.6027
e: annette.funicello@babs.com
Okay, the “e” for “e-mail” is easy. I’m guessing the “f” is for “fax” — though it could be “fone,” with some people.
Is “d” for “desk-top?” “dial-up?” Ah, probably for “direct.”
Okay, then what about “tf?” “telefax?” Aha! “toll-free.”
Feh. If it takes that much effort (and if you really think people who can make use of it won’t realize an 800 number is toll-free), you’re being penny-wise and pound-foolish.
If I mentioned this person was a rep for a software education department, would that make it even less forgivable?
They needed a key!
Heh. But did you actally dial the tf to find out who it was?