How will I get my messages?

We offer a variety of ways to receive your messages. Text messaging has become very popular since it allows our clients to easily see a message and doesn’t require pen and paper to write down details. We also have clients that prefer a live call from one of our Representatives. In addition, we offer email, fax and patching. Some of our clients request a combination of options depending on the day of the week, the time of day and the nature of the call (i.e. urgent vs. non-urgent). We have to be flexible, since no 2 clients are the same!

How do I forward my calls?

Most telephone plans include a call forward feature and it can be as simple as pressing *72 and dialing the call forward number that we provide. If you’re not sure that you have call forward, a simple call to your phone carrier will resolve that.

Do you keep a record of my calls?

Yes. We digitally record all our calls and make them available to our clients for playback. We track when calls come in, the length of the call and how it was handled.

Will there always be a “live” person available to answer the phone?

Yes, there’s always someone available to talk with you! That’s what sets our live answering service apart from automated systems. We’re here for your customers and for you.

How will you answer my calls (i.e. answer phrase)?

We uniquely program each account, so it’s entirely up to you how we answer your calls. Some of our clients like us to tell callers we’re the answering service and others prefer we be one of their team. It’s entirely up to you.

I get a lot of junk calls and sales solicitations. How do you handle those?

We answer every call. If you anticipate lots of junk calls, we can record a greeting (what we refer to as pre-call screening) that will tell solicitation callers to please hang up. All other callers can stay on the line and one of the Customer Service Representatives will help them. It’s not full proof but may knock down some of the junk traffic. If a solicitation caller stays on the line, the Customer Service Representatives will politely tell them that we don’t take messages for sales calls, if that’s what you’d like. It’s entirely up to you.

What other types of services do you offer?

Aside from the traditional receiving calls and delivering messages, we offer other support services. For example, rollover coverage (for those busy times), employee call in lines, help desk support, sales lead capture, appointment scheduling/reminders, and customer feedback surveys, just to name a few.

For our medical clients that ask us to text their messages, we offer secure messaging using a HIPPA compliant and JCAHO endorsed secure messaging app. If you think you may need that type of service, let us know and we can send you more information.

What sets your answering service apart from others?

A very common theme from people that call us looking for an answering service is that their current service won’t call them back.  Frustrating, right?  We offer outstanding customer service, (we refer you back to the 2nd question above) and well trained staff to handle your calls.    Last year 74% of our sales leads came from client referrals, people calling the service for another account and liked what they heard, and current clients asking us to expand our services with them.   We’re happy to consult with potential clients and we take the time to answer all your questions to make sure we can offer what you need.  If we can’t meet your needs, we may be able to offer a referral to another service that can.

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Do I tell you what information I need from callers?

Each account is custom programmed to meet your requirements, so using template scripts is not part of our methodology. We can collect as much or as little information as you want from your caller. You can also tell us if you need different information based on the nature of the call or the time of day. We’re flexible!

How much does the service cost?

Our clients can build their own plans to include as many or as few operator minutes as they want.  We have plans that start at $25 per billing cycle (28 days).  If you’re not sure how many calls you will receive, we can start you on the lowest base rate and you can monitor the call activity over a few billing cycles.  We can also adjust plans to accommodate seasonal fluctuations.

Do I have to sign a contract?

No. We prefer our clients to stay with us because they want to, not because they have to.

How do I set up an account?

The setup process is easy. We collect information about your preferred answer phrase, how you want each call handled (some may be more urgent than others), how you want to receive your messages (as described above) and contact details for everyone for whom we’re taking calls. 
Each account is custom programmed, so you will work 1:1 with a member of our programming team. They make sure we have all the bases covered and do a great job making recommendations that will meet your needs and your clients’ needs. It’s never an issue to make edits to an account after it goes live.

How long does it take to get an account opened?

We like to have 5 business days from the time we have all the set-up information from our clients, to complete programming and training. We use this time to train all the Representatives that will be answering on your behalf so that the 1st call they take will not be the 1st time they’ve seen the account and that matters!

Can I make changes to my account?

It’s never an issue to make edits to an account. Simply call your Call Forward number and ask to speak with a Customer Service Manager or Customer Service Leader. There’s always someone available to answer your questions, make updates to your account and address any inquiry you may have.