Telephone Answering Service

timw84

Dear All,

I was wondering whether any of you have used a telephone answering service before, the type where a call is routed to a call centre and is answered in your company name, a message taken and emailed to you.

I've done some research and they seem to vary wildly in cost. Does anyone have any first hand experience of the good, and who to avoid?

Any help appreciated.

Many thanks.

Anastasia

I used Moneypenny years ago. Don't remember any problems with them. Just noticed they are doing a free trial for a week.

http://www.moneypenny.co.uk/tryusforfree.aspx

PasturesNew

I used to run a service like that, 15 years ago, as part of a serviced office complex I managed.

You need to make sure that the organisation is large enough - and with sufficient staff - to be able to cover periods of sickness/holiday. I needed three members of staff just to man the phones, even though there was only one on at any one time... and even then I myself manned the switchboard to cover times when there was literally nobody else available. 100 incoming lines, all to be answered in different ways, with different numbers - all messages to then be handled differently ... you need to ensure the staff don't appear dopey because once a lot of lines are ringing at the same time they do need to be on the ball.

bestyman

I use www.answer.co.uk . no complaints and the cheapest I could find on a PAYG basis.

Good for me as I just set phone to divert to them when unanswered or engaged. beware though the costs soon mount up.

wen-tom

at work we use "Kendlebell". They are pretty good.

Horace

I have come across Kendlebell (https://www.kendlebell.co.uk) and I know they are offering a 2 week free trial.

Another firm is JAM - apparently they do a Pay As You type system - I only know because they are trying to get me to use them but I haven't made that decision yet.

brownlaw_2

If you are looking for something more personal then I have a couple of contacts who use myruby.co.uk They allocate you an individual receptionist and offer appointment booking as well as the basics and I know their pricing is pretty transparent.

Some other companies have 12 month contracts buried in the T's and C's!

I think they offer a Free trial as well.