In a world where people rely on technology as a way of doing business, a disconnected phone number for Lakeside Barbershop resulted in them losing money.
For about two weeks, new owner Kevin Rizer said he had a back-and-forth with COX related to a telephone number dating back decades.
After purchasing the business in November, COX told him to set up a new account.
Rizer set up the account, a box was sent to his business, and he said everything worked well for a few weeks.
“And then overnight our phone just stopped working,” said Rizer.
He said he was told by a COX representative the number would stay the same.
“I felt initially like it was something that would be resolved within a day or two. I thought if they can take the number away overnight, then they can give it back to us overnight,” added Rizer.
He said this went on for two weeks.
In the meantime, Rizer communicated with representatives by going inside COX locations, calling on the phone, and even through text messaging.
For a business like a barbershop, Rizer said the landline is their lifeline.
He adds that many customers may not be a bit older and not tech savvy or just prefer calling for an appointment.
Rizer said much of their traffic is through walk-ins and added, “It’s important for customers to be able to call and say, hey, how long is the wait right now? Or can you guys fit me in before you close?”
The barber shop has been around for 72 years, with the number dating back decades.
The phone line was reinstated on Monday, and Rizer told News 9 the explanation COX gave him was that a previous owner had an unpaid balance from an old account from many years ago that caused all of the confusion.