Perceptionist?

[Brian R]

What do you guys think about this? I think I have heard of it before on MB.
let me know.
I started looking after the Fullcircle thread.

Looks like a good deal. I am waiting for the pricing and some other questions to be answered.

Answering the phone when I can't...and only when I can't. When the phone rings, if I miss it they get it.
They have Carpet Cleaner in there list of types of companies and work with my way of doing things like pricing, scheduling and selling.

Here's the website

 

[Kevin. McCreary]

I had a friend tell me he didn't like their csr's.

 

[Brian R]

It would really only be used in case I couldn't answer the phones...like an estimate or networking meeting.
I think it would be better than voicemail for new customers but old custys might think somthings up....
I need to find out how much they charge to really make a good decision.


Crap...I'm priceshopping again. I am such hipocritical asshole who can't spell.

 

[-JB-]

$20 a booking last I knew.

Used them for a short time, better than missing calls I suppose.

I didn't like that fact that they didn't have use of my database for when calls came in, so when Mrs. P, one of your oldest and be$t clients calls in she has to give them ALL of her info. again, as if she had never used you before.
Not the image I want to project personally, I think she deserves to be recognized when she calls in, cides, she would be just as happy to leave a message anyhow, so why waste $ XXX per mo. on bookings that would have booked anyhow?

That being said, if your new in the bus., may work out fine.

The crs's weren't to bad, just took a lil work w/them to "hammer out" all the bugs, as long as you listened to the calls and called in w/corrections that needed to be made they seemed to make the adjustments just fine; w/the exception of the odd "fast talker" and grumpy crs. (which they also worked to correct)

 

[Brian R]

I am still considering this.

JB, it sounds like I can change how things are done...customizable.

I would have the CSR ask ALL callers "have you used us before"...if yes...get name and number and when they want it done...maybe the city? Maybe ask if they are at same address?
Might as well get address I guess...hmmm.
If I screwed up and didn't keep the info (unlikely) then I can get it from them.

I would be dead honest with the repeat customers.
If they answer yes to the above question, I would have the CSR tell them that Brian R. still owns the business but they are scheduling for him.

Why not?


CSR; "Have you used our service before?"
Cust; "Yes."
CSR: Ok, just to let you know that Brian R. still ownes the company, we are just answering the phones for him now."



Would that be a good idea?

 

[Brian R]

Welp,
Had the phone thing this morning to get set up. Didn't work out.
Not because of Perceptionist but because of my phone service...Sprint.

The phones have to be forwarded after the 4th ring so that Perceptionist can answer it.
Sprint charges 20 cents a minute for ALL forwarded calls.
EVEN IF I PICK UP THE PHONE BEFORE PERCEPTIONIST DOES!! :shock:

so ALL my calls on that phone would be my normal rate PLUS 20cents...no matter what.

Holy Hell!!
We are talking a phone bill of about $500.00

Homey don't play dat. 8)

I may work on changing that phone number over to a landline again...not sure yet.
Ugh. :?

 

[boazcan]

See about a different plan to allow to do that. Call sprint and tell them about this problem and you are going to change carriers to accomadate the problem, see what they say.

Even so, 10 calls a month, avg 5 mins each, 50 mins = $10.

High side 30 call a month = $30. Unless I am totally off on the avg call time.

Bust Sprint's b@lls, I bet they give in. Even for 90 days "trial"

 

[-JB-]

All the phone companies are a bunch of crooks, it's not just Sprint. When I had to do that call forward thing they stuck me for $90 just for the flip, even the Perceptionist oporator said "your joking right?"

Nope. Crooks I tell yas Krooks!

 

[Brian R]

I just set it up to have one of my numbers transfered from sprint to ATT remote call forwarding. $18.00 per month.

Doesn't solve the perceptionist problem Completely yet but it will lower my phone bill.

I may have to transfer my second line back to a land line to do it and I am not too sure it's worth it.

I am under contract with sprint for another year.

 

[Kevin. McCreary]

Or call your local internet provider and get a T1 or FIOS line installed
and take complete control of all of your features via your computer
for one low price. I have 6 phone lines and (super fast) internet for
less than $200 through a local internet provider and no long distance
charges except for my 800 number and I can choose when and where
I want my numbers to froward for free.

 

[Brian R]

Or call your local internet provider and get a T1 or FIOS line installed
and take complete control of all of your features via your computer
for one low price. I have 6 phone lines and (super fast) internet for
less than $200 through a local internet provider and no long distance
charges except for my 800 number and I can choose when and where
I want my numbers to froward for free.

Yea, I was thinking vonage.
I just like to be able to take my cell phone with me.
I may have to switch from Sprint all together.