I hear ya, the only time I do that is when I am owed money as often if I just say that is why I am contacting them from the start I will be ignored whereas if I just say are you there they may reply thinking it is for new business and once they reply I can then ask them about the money I am owed. Of course some still ignore you after that but I have found some are less likely to since they have just admitted they are there.
