Why don't most companies allow the public to contact them via IM?

Question

Just about every company in existence advertises their phone number, but I have yet to see ONE that advertises their IM address.

Why can't I IM my order to the local Pizza Hut?

Answer 1

I always wonder why people don't like to just pick up the phone and talk to a live person anymore.  We are so out of touch with each other these days.

Answer 2

Got to pay someone extra and there's a person there that's taking orders of the phone already, not cost effective.

Answer 3

well they do have online ordering

but having AIM

the employees can misuse that privelege

and someone could send them random IMs

and it would be a bother

because random windows would pop up

and yeah!

:D

Answer 4

Good Question.  

I would reason a guess because the people who make these decisions are our parent's generation.  I wonder as our generation gets the corporate level of these businesses if that will change.  <EDIT..  the older generation doesnt always understand the technology and how it would/work be effective, such as the person below who said it would not be cost effective.  It would actually save companies a lot of money in the long run>  

I cant think of any off the top of my head, but there are several businesses that are starting to use interactive im for customer support.