Hi There !

I need to hire an answering service with a live operator answering 24
hours a day, 7 days a week.  This is for a small (service-intensive)
business.

I hired a similar company 7 months ago.  But the first day I tried a
call test, this company let the phone ring 8 times before answering. 
My customers won't put up with that, and neither will I.

I cancelled the contract after that first phone call, and went with an
in-house "phone tree" machine.  That machine has worked well, but is
quite impersonal for a "high touch" business like mine.

Soooooooo...I am right back where I started.

A 5-star answer would be five live answering services with proven
ability to answer the phone.  :-)

All comments greatly appreciated !
ron

P.S.   I live in the Bay Area of California.  However, the service
could probably be located anywhere in the USA where they have
telephones.  ;-)

P.P.S.   I would be especially impressed with a company that
guaranteed its service.  There appear to be many fly-by-night
operators in this business. Thanks!

Hi Ron,

I?m glad that my suggestions are satisfactory.

I am reposting my comments below for your convenience.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------

Answer Anytime

Features:

 - 98% of your calls are answered in three rings or less - guaranteed!

- No receptionist will ever put your caller on hold to answer another
call - guaranteed!

- Live telephone operators available to answer your telephone calls 24
hours per day, everyday of the year

- Calls answered in your name or company name

- Unconditional 30-day money back guarantee

- If for any reason you are not 100% satisfied, we will return your
money in full, no questions asked
http://www.answeranytime.com/

17 Years Experience
http://www.longislandbrowser.com/business_to_business/answer_anytime/index.shtml

Answer Anytime
47 Fairchild Avenue
Plainview, NY 11803 USA
Phone: 516-247-7260
Fax: 516-408-3544
Customer Service Toll Free: 1-888-710-2337
Customer Service E-mail: 
Sales Department Toll Free: 1-888-236-7500
Sales Department E-mail: 
Web: www.AnswerAnytime.com
http://www.answeranytime.com/contact-info.html


Here are a few more companies; however they don?t guarantee their service.

AnserveAmerica 
http://www.anserve.com/

Nauset Answering Service
http://www.nausetanswering.com/

Answer Quick
http://answerquick.com/

Search criteria:
?Answering service? ?live operators ?
?Answering service? ?live operators? guaranteed


Best regards,
Bobbie7

Thanks, bobbie7 !

ron

Hi Ron,

I found one company that appears to meet your requirements. 

Answer Anytime

Features:

 - 98% of your calls are answered in three rings or less - guaranteed!

- No receptionist will ever put your caller on hold to answer another
call - guaranteed!

- Live telephone operators available to answer your telephone calls 24
hours per day, everyday of the year

- Calls answered in your name or company name

- Unconditional 30-day money back guarantee

- If for any reason you are not 100% satisfied, we will return your
money in full, no questions asked
http://www.answeranytime.com/

17 Years Experience
http://www.longislandbrowser.com/business_to_business/answer_anytime/index.shtml

Answer Anytime
47 Fairchild Avenue
Plainview, NY 11803 USA
Phone: 516-247-7260
Fax: 516-408-3544
Customer Service Toll Free: 1-888-710-2337
Customer Service E-mail: 
Sales Department Toll Free: 1-888-236-7500
Sales Department E-mail: 
Web: www.AnswerAnytime.com
http://www.answeranytime.com/contact-info.html


Here are a few more companies; however they don?t guarantee their service.

AnserveAmerica 
http://www.anserve.com/

Nauset Answering Service
http://www.nausetanswering.com/

Answer Quick
http://answerquick.com/


I'm sure another researcher will be able to locate additional
companies for you with the features you require.


Best regards,
Bobbie7

Terrific finds, bobbie7.  Please post as an answer.

Thanks !
ron

Hi Ron, It appears that you have received a couple comments already
indicating that they can help. Hopefully you can look at this one
also. There is a company called Perceptionist that does exactly what
your asking for. In fact they are one of the most professional
companies that i have found to date. This company will answer your
calls, they can take orders, they can schedule appointments and the
best thing yet is they are always there for you. They never take
lunch, breaks, vacation, call in sick, they are always there for you.
Give them a call and find out for yourself. The sales manager that i
deal with is Tiger Downey. Call and talk to them your self.
1-866-652-5968. I also suggest that anyone else looking for this type
of service to give them a call. You will be impressed!