telephone answering service info ?

Edwards Finance > Phones

Q. BT have suggested using their VOIP service, as I have broadband access, but am not convinced people would ring a number starting with 05, also not sure about how this could be directed to an answering service. Has anyone found a reliable company that they could recommend, and rough idea of costs? or suggestions that I can follow up? What solutions do other people use for small, part time businesses?

A. I'm starting up a small part time business, and would like to have a telephone number that is directed to a telephone answering service, where a live person takes the details of the call and sends it onto me (via email/ text/ etc). I'd also need a number, ideally a local number, but cost of local number and answering service all adds up and I don't want to incur too much cost initially. Thought about an 0845 number, as I have an adversion to calling 0870 numbers. We are by far the largest provider of such services in the UK - although I've had pointed out to me in this group before that size doesn't in itself imply quality - so you'll have to take my word for that, or ask for some customer references! As its a newsgroup I'll be unbiased and point out the alternatives. If you open your local Yellow Pages under 'Telephone answering services", it is likely that you will find between half a dozen and 20 odd companies that provide such services, depending on your area. Most of these will be mom-and-pop shops (which again doesn't speak for their quality, either way), some will be a sideline for the reception -desk of a local serviced office facility, and you may find one or two other national players. As advice, if your calls are presumably fairly critical to you, I would ensure you select a supplier that has at least 6 call handlers across the hours of service you require - as you want to ensure that someone can answer your calls during periods of high call activity (for them) or periods of sickness or holiday. For those in the group that don't want the bits of sales pitch related to the question asked - stop reading now.... I use "Armchair Answercall" to handle my messages. They're very good. There are a number of packages - I don't know what the others are, ask them, they're on 01264 341600. However, the one I'm on, they answer Mon-Fri, 9am-8:30pm - and charge on a "per call" basis, and then SMS me the info. BTW- if you do use them, please let them know that Joe Hill at Triffik Ltd referred you (so I get my M&S vouchers!)

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