[Kelly Painting]

Does anyone here use an answering service? or have an 800 #?
It's getting to the point where I can't answer my cell phone during the day,
It doesn't sound to professional for me to answer the phone anymore, when
I'm up on a ladder or have a caulking gun in one hand and a glob of putty in the other. I have always used my cell number for all my business stuff, But would like to have a 800 # or an answering service. I do not have a home phone to hook up to an answering machine. Any suggestions?

 

[Brian]

I use Virtual PBX for some of our lines. It has a lot of flexibility. It might be more than you need, but it's worth looking into.

Brian Phillips

 

[NEPS.US]

I have a 800 number. I think it helps the package of my company ...web site, logo, 800 number ending in NEPS .. ect .. All you need is a dedicated office line to attach the number too. I have a office line with the 800 number attached to it and a fax line ... my bills are around 140 a month ..you pay for the 800 calls. I always have had my 800 and my office line calls fowarded to my cell phone... my voice mail on my cell and the office are the same .... I always try to answer all calls.

 

[Dixie Soak]

We have the Australian equivelent of a 800#, it forms a major part of our Virtual Office. This service directs calls to relevant departments eg accounts, works as an answering service and has the option of forwarding messages via email or text.

Its easy to scale as the company grows, saves time, looks proffesional and i think its worth the cost.

 

[premierpainter]

We use the same- Cell phone 888 number that go to a service with press 1 for Painting Estimates, 2 for Renovation Estimates, 3 for billing and so on. If they press my mailbox # it calls me and then the person states their name and I can reject or accept the call. If I reject it, it goes to voicemail, which is then converted to text and texted to my phone. It also leaves an e-mail with the voice message. It is great.

 

[Pressure Cleaning]

We are looking into the Microsoft phone System :thumbup: http://www.microsoft.com/responsepoint/default.aspx

 

[JNLP]

PhonePeople.com looks good. Pick your own number. You can send them to your current cell, home, or voice mail. Decent looking prices. I've been looking for an option to not list my cell, so might just may grab an 888 number (800s are hard to find).

 

[MAK-Deco]

Hey Kelly,

we have had an 800 number for 15 years and its great never have to worry about area code changing which in IL seems to be once a year, my 800 number rings where i tell it too currently my cell phone. I usually will not answer my phone while on the job will let it got to vmail and will call back person on a break or lunch if it needs to be return promptly. most call get returned when I get back to the home office. Most of my calls tho do not come in during work hrs, as most for my clients or usually working themselves and call in the evening to set estimates..

But I would say go for the 800#.. BTW hows the website coming along?