Comments on: Have you used a good temporary answering service?

Question: Have you used a good temporary answering service?

gemmy — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 07:19:58 -0800

Asking for recommendations for an answering service, with a live person that can answer our office phones for a week.

By a fluke of last-minute scheduling, my boss and I will both be out of the office during the same week. He will be overseas, and I'll be on vacation (yay!). While we could leave the answering machine on, we would prefer to have an answering service with a live person answering the ~10 calls/day that we get. Preferably one that could take messages and email them to us. I know I could easily forward calls to my cell, but I'd rather not.

I have found a few such services through some googling, but it's hard to say if they are any good. Looking for recommendations of services you have used, if possible. I found a similar question from 2007, but it didn't have much in the way of answers. Thanks!

By: exogenous

exogenous — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 08:00:53 -0800

I've only experienced this company as a caller, but whoever handles the phone for Potomac Airfield (warning: retina-searing website) seems all right. You could try calling them at 301 248 5720 and asking.

By: Shelbourne

Shelbourne — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 09:29:45 -0800

I work for a call center that provides answering services, but we don't handle short-term/temporary accounts.

Your best bet will be a service that provides instant/same day activation. Search Google for "instant activation answering service" and select the first result. That company should be able to help you out.

Companies that offer instant service don't invest much (if anything) into the setup process, which is why short-term accounts aren't a problem for them. The instant nature of the setup will limit what they can do for you and how well they can do it, but because you only need a basic level of service it shouldn't be a problem.

Good luck! Enjoy your vacation!

By: Night_owl

Night_owl — Thu, 10 Jan 2013 11:31:18 -0800

Post to MeFi Jobs?

By: gemmy

gemmy — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 19:49:01 -0800

Thank you all. Shelbourne's answer led me to three potential solutions, all of them I think are cheaper than trying to hire someone independently, but should be able to do the basic thing we want. If we end up using one, I'll be sure to post a review.

(And thanks- I will definitely enjoy the vacation!!)