Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Assignment 3: Landlord Beatdown
When I moved out of my first living arrangement this semester my landlord assured me that my security deposit would be returned to me. She informed me that the best way to reach her during the school year is via e-mail. So, after verbally confirming with her the method and the time frame in which she would send me the security deposit check, I sent a follow-up e-mail with the necessary information for our transaction. I let her know that I will be moving out of the residence by “X” time and I gave her the new address, so that she could send the check.
Naturally, when I moved into my new apartment the September rent was due and I was tight for money from multiple relocations. My previous landlord told me that I would have the security deposit in time to pay for my September rent, so when I did not hear from her or receive a check I was concerned. I felt that it was necessary to have a more personal mode of communication. I called her cell phone but it went straight to voicemail, so I left her a message, reiterating my e-mail, stating that I had moved out of the room and she could send my security deposit to “X” address.
Today, I still have not received the security deposit. Since other mediums have failed, my next step is to attempt a face-to-face interaction. Although it is out of my way to go down to where she lives because it is far and I never know when she is going to be home, it seems the time spent to track her down is necessary to retrieve me money.
My actions are explained best by the Media Richness Theory. As the equivocality of the communication task changed, so did the richness of the medium. At first, the task was not vague (or at least it appeared not to be vague); therefore, I just sent an e-mail which is a lean channel. There was no need to language variety, message personalization, or even availability of feedback because we had discussed the terms of the refund before hand. All the e-mail was supposed to be was a confirmation. Yet, as the communication task got more ambiguous and complicated I felt that it was necessary for a richer medium, telephone. I thought this would allow me to understand the situation better and faster than trying to communicate through e-mail because I would have more cues to determine the situation from and language variety. Also, I needed a fast response since I was trying to use my refund as a means to pay for my September rent, which was quickly approaching. After my attempts to call failed, since she did not answer the phone (a voice message is not as effective because it is only one way), I felt that it was necessary to attempt the richest medium, face to face communication. Face to face will be the most effective because she will understand the severity of the situation. She will be able to tell my overall attitude from my facial expression, posture, tone of voice. The feedback will be immediate: either I will leave with the check in my hand or I most likely will not be getting the refund. The message is highly personalized because I am meeting with her in person.
Another reason my actions follow the Media Richness Theory is because I was trying to be as efficient as possible. I started off using the medium that she said was the most convenient to her and which cost me the least amount of energy. I gave her a call only because I was trying to get things done efficiently because of the time constraints. Now that all the other options have been exercised and failed I am using the least efficient method now, but probably the most effective at this point.
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3 comments:
I feel like many people can relate to these types of situations. Often times people start out by using email or a “leaner” form on communication to contact someone, and then turn to more “rich” forms if the person does not respond. An email or a text message turns into a phone call a week later when that person has not answered your question. I never really thought about this before reading your blog. It makes perfect sense, especially if you have time to wait for an email response to email and keep it simple. If it is an urgent question or comment, then obviously phone or face to face would be preferable, but otherwise why not just email? If the person emailing is not being the bearer of bad news, why not just shoot them a note through the internet? It’s time efficient and easier on many accounts. This is what technology has done to us: made us more willing to give up the face to face or phone conversations in order to simplify our hectic lives.
I agree that I like the way you went about handling this situation. Using a leaner medium such as email was the easiest way to get the most efficient communication with your landlord. There was no need to have a long drawn out conversation with her in any other type of medium. You simply had to tell her where and when she could give you back your check. With the Media Richness Theory, it is easiest to use this medium since it was such a lean interaction, but I liked that as the situation has become more pressing, you have changed your ways of communicating with your landlord. Clearly email is not the best way to contact her as she previously stated, and since what you are trying to communicating her is becoming more and more involved, you are correct in trying to find a richer medium to contact her with.
I liked your post and how it showed a transition within the Media Richness Theory rather than simply one facet of the theory. Good job!
This is a perfect example of what we learned. I especially like how you started off by casually leaving an email with her. As your time became less and less you began to use more intense terms of communication. It was as if you followed the concepts of the media richness theory step by step in order to receive your check. When your email did not work you moved on to what you thought would be a more effecient way of communicating; the telephone, only to get her voice mail which seems to be the trend among land lords by the way. After that failed you decided that face to face communication was your only remaining option. I not only think what you did applies to our learnings so far but also demonstrates what we should all do. Personally I would be waiting on her door step for that check. Great job.
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