[Shaun_Ashmore]

I used the wife to answer the calls and she got really good money for jobs far better then me but she got board of being stuck in the house so the inconsiderate person she is had a baby.

Shaun

[spindle]

ouch ...............and you lost a damn fine receptionist!!!!

my wife gets more money for my work too.........how do they do it?

[carpet guy]

I love Bluetooth sure you have to answer it, but I say " can I call you back later " which rarely causes a problem and I just jot down the number if it's not saved.

You will never miss a call, as it rings in your ear, some even have automatic answering so you just talk.

rob

[Kev Loomes]

why did you stop? becuase of the cost?

how much did it work out at?

Mike, the reason I dont use them is because my Mrs now answers the phone full time, she used to come out with me until her tennis elbow but now have someone else with me. She is ncca & iicrc qualified and knows a lot so can answer all custy's queries so dont need a call centre

I honestly cant remember exactly how much but I do know it was a lot!

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Kev, you only do inhome quotes? your Missus could be over qualified to be a receptionist SACK her and get a 21 yr old dolly bird.

Shaun

[ollie]

just like mine, but I don't hear my phone ring so the calls go to vioce mail. then I ring them back

I want to stop all the calls during the day and answer them on a night

sorry Mike I misunderstood you. It sounds like you need a secretary! I would love to miss 12 calls a day!!

[Kev Loomes]

Hi Shaun

Yes, 9 times out of 10 in home quotes, makes a big difference in gaining the job and upselling more services (as you know ).  Occasionaly we do price on the phone, when we know if its come from a certain couple of sources as it is almost a certainty to get it, so saves a journey (pending full survey prior to cleaning of course).

Yeh your right, dam she is over qualified. I likes the sound of that, problem is I wouldnt want to go out to work, just spend all me time 'showing her' how to use a stapler, and dropping waste paper on the floor and asking her to pick it up LOL. Jeez, dont get me started

[Ian Gourlay]

Mike

As you all appear to work well together in your area, maybee a fellow carpet cleaner  has someone who is at home most of the time answering his calls so you could divert to that line.

Perhaps you could get a stay at home pensioner for say £50 a week or £1.60 a call

[Doug Holloway]

Hi Guys

I like diverting to mobile because I can deal with it there and then, if I'm busy I let it go to answer.

People that are keen will leave a message, price shoppers won't so no loss there !

I used to employ a local answering service and still use them when I go on holiday so a good back up option.

Cheers

Doug

[ianharper]

doug

get the network to turn off the answer phone. these network will divert quicker if you have a answer phone than trying harder to find your signal (to save their network space). plus you can get it diverted to a second number that you know will get picked up.

make sure you have a phone that's fully powered all the time and a new phone, as they work on the power to roamimg issue all the time when updating phones. low batt equals lazy phone

don't mistake price shoppers for people like me that will keep calling until i get my problem solved. there is a lot to be said about not pricing over the phone but when someone whats to know that they have that problem solved and can now focus on the next issue. its the one minute manger idea.

phone answering service are good but expensive. why not just have the first phone divert to a second with a differant network on you this way if one network is bad it will divert to the second which hopfully is good. cuts down the risk of lost calls.

respect

ian harper