Advice On Answering Service

BrianS

I am considering an answering service, but I am not sure what to do. I really like to answer all my own calls, so I don't miss any new potential customers. I don't want to hire an employee to just answer the phone, but it is sometimes difficult for me to get to every call, so I thought hiring an answering service might be a good solution. I know there are a lot of companies out there that do this type of stuff, but I really am more interested/concerned with the wisdom of getting a service in the first place. My main concern is that it will actually lower my close rate if the people answering the phone don't know what they are talking about, after all, they of course won't be as knowlegable about my trade as I am. Has anybody had any good/bad experiences with answering services? How did it go with a non-contractor picking up your "precious" calls?
I'm new to this forum, so thanks ahead of time for any responses.

dirt diggler

wouldn't do it

for one, i think they're kind of dated - like a typewriter or a car phone (not cell phone - car phone)

for two, i HATE it when i call somewhere and i get an answering service. It's usually some girl who can't answer a question.

It doesn't appear anymore professional than a voicemail, imo (plus, with VM - they can at least hear your voice)



oh and it's tacky


(btw - this is coming from a guy who will travel 20 minutes to avoid having to ask HO to use bathroom ... and also I hate magnetic truck signs ... I hate minivans with ladders attached to them ... OH - and I do not like/allow the radio to be played at my jobsites)

POOLMANinCT

drop the coin on a treo device & have them email you your messages as they take them, call back when device picks up you email every hr or so.... be sure to have service get all contact info possible & include it in your email. an added perk is that your "call log" records will be top notch.

ray

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POOLMANinCT

I'm right, dirts wrong!!!!

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......Less with the jaw & More with the paw.....

mdshunk

If you operate a service business, and you do off-hour work, you absolutely need an answering service of some sort. Even if it's an automated thing that has them type in their phone number, then it forwards it to your house. If you don't, voice-mail is fine, in my opinion.

Danahy

My answering machine directs people to either leave a message, or contact my through my website...

To date whenever a new person calls, it's about 70% leave a message, 30% go through the webpage... Of the 30% that go through the web page the landed % almost is alittle less than double that of the message people...

Nowadays even my 90 year old customers like using email...

Stone Mountain

Dirt, please illuminate me. What's wrong with using an ho's bathroom? That's what they're there for?
I have no problem with radio's on site, and I think a ladder rack on a truck looks very professional.

Also, an answering service is far better than a message machine.

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Terrence

Oooh Oooh Let me take this one!

1) Homeowners go to great expense to renovate their bathroom so it will be their own special clean place to go. They pay maids good $$ to keep them sparkling clean so they will feel comfortable and clean. The bathroom and the kitchen are the most highly regarded and coveted places in the home. The HO bathroom is NOT there for YOU to use, it's there for the HO to use. HO's don't routinely view big burley sweaty dirty men as an asset to their throne room. Keeeyod!

2) Radio's onsite make people work slower, AND they are unprofessional. You are there to work, not to have a party. HO's deserve to have their peace of mind even if you are working in their home.

3) Yeah, a ladder rack on a truck does look pro. But not a rack on a MINIVAN!