I was just asked about receiving calls for a customer. Does anyone do this? If you do, how much do you charge? Per call? Or something else?

I was wondering if it would be worth doing by getting a cellular telephone dedicated to answering the calls. I was thinking that I would charge the long distance plus so much per call, but not sure what that should be.

Thank you for helping.

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Carolyn
Atlantic Virtual Assistant

Hi, I don't offer answering phones as a service because I don't want to be tied to a phone....my hours are wonderfully flexible and I really want to keep it that way. With that said, and knowing that numerous other VAs feel exactly the same way, I will say that if you do offer it as a service you'll have a market practically carved out for you....it's just a matter of working out the logistics.

Here's another conversation on this same topic with some chat on charging by the call or the alternatives, you might find some additional insight there.

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I don't do phones. I hate them.

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Rebecka Melson ~ Virtual Business Services

Originally Posted by Rebecka

I don't do phones. I hate them.

Ditto for me! I don't even answer client calls but instead return their VM messages via email.

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

One of the reasons I left corporate was to avoid having to answer calls (in my last job I was the admin in a four-person office, so reception was part of the job description). I do answer calls from my clients but don't want to be tied down to the phone either.

I usually refer these queries to a local business centre that is happy to do this task. You might want to look into a virtual pbx solution though, it might help. If you got a cell phone for each client you were answering calls for, you might have a bank of them coming in.

I do feel the same way, I don't want to be tied down answering calls, especially since I have a 4 1/2 year old and an 8 year old around (and girls are not overly quiet!). But, saying that I did get a call from a potential client on Friday. He has regular admin work to be completed, but was looking for someone to answer his calls, approximately 2 hours per week. I did tell him that I'm not looking to do that, because of the fact I have small children around, but if he wanted me to make some calls I can certainly schedule time (quiet time) to do that for him.

I only have one client right now, who is local, and expects me to be on sight a fair amount (which isn't what I want to do, but it pays the bills). So, this new one would be great.

Would it be appropriate to charge this PC by the hour for the hours he wants me to answer the telephones, or by call (maybe 15 minutes per call).

Thanks for letting me vent! And thanks for letting me know I'm not the only one who doesn't want to be tied to the telephone!

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Carolyn
Atlantic Virtual Assistant

Hmmm, IF I were to accept this position with the client who wants phone answering service I'd do my best to set it up so it's a set period on a set day (don't know how feasible that really would be though?) and yes, I would charge my regular hourly rate for the entire time I was expected to be near the phone - if you're in-service you need to be compensated for your time. Those are hours you cannot logically devote to another client.
But truly, I'd take Julia's advice about helping the client find a service that can handle that for him and then do my best to secure the rest of the admin projects that he needs.
Good luck with this one, keep us posted with what happens.

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Could you set up a deal where you charge per call and they ask that you answer if you can but return the call within xxx number of hours? That's what I have worked out with my client. They sent me a VOIP phone and I can forward it to my cell if I want. They don't care if I don't always answer live but ask that I return the call within 4 hours. It works for me.

I do not like being on the phone no longer than I need to be on it.. I will answer my phone when it rings - but constantly being on it 5-6 days a week - that's a no no for me. LOL.. Good luck and have fun.

A PC called last nite and is looking for someone to answer his phone 8-5, M-F. He has an 800 and his competition doesn't,,nor do they live answer. He wants to forward the 800 line to me (I'm thinking my cell since I'm not in my office from 8-12) and after that I could forward them to my LL. He would set it up that when I answer, it will announce it's his biz, that way I can answer it appropriately. I was thinking of charging him my rate / 4 which would be 15 min increments. This way I'm not tied to the office, and I told him what I do in the mornings and sometimes I would not be able to answer the call; taking kids to school, turning out horses, etc. He said that it would be ok to miss a couple, I could then check the VM and return the call.

Thoughts?

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