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Help Please Loss Customers/Leads -Virtual Office Assistant?

We are a hombased business who place adverts with our contact numbers. We occasionally have the phones unmannned for short periods and sometimes for a day or so during office hours 9-5. Our office has a answering machine to cover for these gaps, however, we appear to be losing enquiries because people are reluctant to leave messages on the machine.

What would could be a solution to this problem:confused:

I was thinking a virtual office arrangement where unanswered calls are replied by a service provider. However, I don't know if is this the best solution and the costs could be expensive.

Any further suggestions, advice and help would be most welcome:j

Many thanks

Comments

  • Mark7799
    Mark7799 Posts: 4,805 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Why are the phones unmanned? Is it possible you can get the calls diverted to a mobile or get a casual assistant in for a few hours to cover these periods?
    Gwlad heb iaith, gwlad heb galon
  • Calls are unmanned when I'm out of the office. I'm a sole trader operation.
    Callers don't like leaving contact details.

    Any other ideas/suggestions would be most helpful
  • Is forwarding to a mobile an option for you?
    Personally I'm always ready to learn, although I do not always like being taught - Sir Winston Churchill
  • Petmidget
    Petmidget Posts: 374 Forumite
    You can easily set up forwarding for most lines, speak to BT. But remember you are then paying to ring your mobile and that can be pretty expensive if calls drags on. I did that for a while but in the end got sick of it.

    I now use a call handling service, there are tons on the net I use Kendlebell (i have no link to them this is recommendation not advert). You still effectively divert, turning it on and off as you wish but to a low call number, they answer as per your intructions, take brief message, and txt/email it to you. The service has various levels and add ons but a basic service costs about £60 per month.
  • admire your comment, but not the humour.

    This site is allegedly for moneysaving not cheap comments.

    Unless your getting paid
  • Thanks for your time and trouble!
This discussion has been closed.
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