Question: This isn’t a question, as much as a plea: I have a desperate need to reduce expenses.  Although I love the work your staff does for me, I will need to switch to voicemail or an answering machine.  The cost savings is just too great. 

 Answer: This is a concern we have heard before.  First, we would like to point out that often the projected savings of such a move are a false economy.  Studies have shown, and our client’s experience confirms, that callers are most likely to place an order or leave a message with a person.  Callers who are forced to use voicemail are less satisfied, and are less willing to leave information.  The situation gets even worse when an answering machine is used. 

 One client noted that the number of messages dropped to one seventh of their previous level after he switched from our service to an answering machine.  He was glad to switch back the following month.

 Consider the message that you send to your callers.  Are you telling them, “Your call is important” only for force them to leave a critical communication in voicemail?  Or do you promote yourself as a progressive, leading edge enterprise, only to relegate after-hours calls to an answering machine?  Our recommendation is to send them the message that your call is so important, we have provided a real person for you to talk to.  What greater statement could you send to your callers?

Learn more about telephone answering services and discover how the might be able to help you.