Call answering service recommendations

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A

anonuk

Free Member
Feb 27, 2014
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  • #1
    Wasn’t really sure where to post this but I am looking at the possibility of using a call answering service to field calls from genuine customers vs sales calls that I’m not interested in.

    Does anyone have any recommendations or experience of services that are genuinely good?

    I have used Moneypenny in a previous business (around 10 years ago) but according to Google, their fees have gone insane since then.

    Any companies worth considering?
     
    cjd

    cjd

    Business Member
    • Nov 23, 2005
    15,996
    3,433
    www.voipfone.co.uk
  • #3
    Sure

    www.voipfone.co.uk

    Voipfone PA

    The Voipfone PA service allows you to forward your calls to a receptionist to answer using your own custom greeting as if they work for your company.
    www.voipfone.co.uk www.voipfone.co.uk
     
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    A

    anonuk

    Free Member
    Feb 27, 2014
    495
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    73
  • #4
    cjd said:
    Sure

    www.voipfone.co.uk

    Voipfone PA

    The Voipfone PA service allows you to forward your calls to a receptionist to answer using your own custom greeting as if they work for your company.
    www.voipfone.co.uk www.voipfone.co.uk
    Click to expand...
    We already use Voipfone for our phone system so that would be an obvious choice, I just want to hear peoples opinions of systems they've used first of all.

    That said, with Voipfone PA, do we get charged for sales/spam calls that come through? When I used call answering in the past, if the call was identified as a sales call we wouldn't get charged.
     
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    Paul Kelly ICHYB

    Paul Kelly ICHYB

    Moderator
    • Jan 21, 2008
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    icanhelpyourbusiness.co.uk
  • #5
    anonuk said:
    When I used call answering in the past, if the call was identified as a sales call we wouldn't get charged.
    Click to expand...
    Whether you were charged for it or not, you were charged for it!!

    Just waiting for the AI solutions to start appearing!
     
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    Paul Kelly ICHYB

    Paul Kelly ICHYB

    Moderator
    • Jan 21, 2008
    10,043
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    icanhelpyourbusiness.co.uk
  • #7
    anonuk said:
    What I meant was that the ‘sales/spam’ calls weren’t taken out of the inclusive calls
    Click to expand...
    The cost to taking a spam call can be similar to a normal call. The fact that they didn't list it as a charge means that it would have been costed into the taking wanted calls.

    If looking at the market, you would have seen businesses that were probably a lot cheaper, but charged you for all calls....
     
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    cjd

    cjd

    Business Member
    • Nov 23, 2005
    15,996
    3,433
    www.voipfone.co.uk
  • #8
    anonuk said:
    We already use Voipfone for our phone system so that would be an obvious choice, I just want to hear peoples opinions of systems they've used first of all.

    That said, with Voipfone PA, do we get charged for sales/spam calls that come through? When I used call answering in the past, if the call was identified as a sales call we wouldn't get charged.
    Click to expand...
    Yeh, a call is a call - we have to answer it. If you weren't charged for it before, it was already factored into the price you paid.

    However we have a call barring service that will block repeat callers and non CLI etc before the phone rings.

    If you already use us for your phone, there won't be any call transfer costs or forwarding charges and it works very easily. Easily cancelled too - 30 day terms.
     
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    Peter Morris

    Peter Morris

    Free Member
    Feb 16, 2021
    42
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    Bridgwater
    ruddledigital.co.uk
  • #9
    From my experience, the key is finding a provider that balances professionalism with flexibility, especially if you want them to filter genuine customer calls from sales pitches.

    I haven’t used Moneypenny before, but I’ve heard good things about smaller, boutique services that tailor packages to startups or solo founders. Sometimes the lesser‑known providers can be more cost‑effective while still giving that professional front‑desk feel.

    Curious to hear if anyone here has tried newer players in the market, would be great to compare notes.
     
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    A

    AlexS

    New Member
    Business Listing
    Mar 16, 2026
    2
    0
  • #10
    anonuk said:
    Wasn’t really sure where to post this but I am looking at the possibility of using a call answering service to field calls from genuine customers vs sales calls that I’m not interested in.

    Does anyone have any recommendations or experience of services that are genuinely good?

    I have used Moneypenny in a previous business (around 10 years ago) but according to Google, their fees have gone insane since then.

    Any companies worth considering?
    Click to expand...
    I have tried quite a few over the years and found Your Office and PA to be the best, I have used them now for years.
     
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    R

    Roger_Manchest

    New Member
    May 6, 2026
    1
    0
  • #11
    anonuk said:
    Wasn’t really sure where to post this but I am looking at the possibility of using a call answering service to field calls from genuine customers vs sales calls that I’m not interested in.

    Does anyone have any recommendations or experience of services that are genuinely good?

    I have used Moneypenny in a previous business (around 10 years ago) but according to Google, their fees have gone insane since then.

    Any companies worth considering?
    Click to expand...
    Honest answer — call answering services like Moneypenny, AnswerConnect or alldayPA all do the same core job (about £1–£2 per call handled), but the real question is what happens AFTER the call gets answered.


    Most roofers I speak to lose leads not because nobody picked up, but because the follow-up is slow. Receptionist takes a message → it sits in an inbox → you ring back 4 hours later → prospect already booked someone else.


    If your main goal is filtering tyre-kickers and sales calls from real jobs, two things worth thinking about before paying a monthly retainer:


    1. A simple IVR ("Press 1 for a quote, Press 2 if you're selling to us") cuts 60–70% of sales calls for £10/month on something like CircleLoop or Aircall.
    2. An auto-SMS that fires the second a call is missed ("Sorry I missed you — quick question, what's the issue and your postcode?") qualifies the lead before you even ring back. Costs pennies per text.

    Happy to share what's working for other roofers if useful — drop me a DM.
     
    Upvote 0
    Z

    zenithpa

    Free Member
    May 16, 2026
    6
    5
  • #12
    anonuk said:
    Wasn’t really sure where to post this but I am looking at the possibility of using a call answering service to field calls from genuine customers vs sales calls that I’m not interested in.

    Does anyone have any recommendations or experience of services that are genuinely good?

    I have used Moneypenny in a previous business (around 10 years ago) but according to Google, their fees have gone insane since then.

    Any companies worth considering?
    Click to expand...
    We may be slightly biased here as this is exactly what we do at Zenith PA 😊 , but one of the biggest reasons businesses come to us is to stop wasting time on constant sales calls while still making sure genuine customer enquiries are answered professionally.

    A good call answering service should feel like an extension of your business rather than just a generic call centre. The main things we focus on are:
    • Answering in your company name naturally
    • Filtering obvious sales/spam calls where appropriate
    • Prioritising genuine customer enquiries
    • Transferring urgent calls through immediately
    • Sending messages instantly via email/Slack/Teams/whatsapp if needed
    • Giving callers a friendly, professional experience so no opportunities are missed
    We hear quite often that some of the larger providers have become very expensive over the years as usage grows, so it’s definitely worth comparing pricing structures carefully.

    If you do look around, I’d strongly recommend trialling any service first. the biggest difference between providers is usually how human and proactive the receptionists actually are.

    www.zenithpa.co.uk
     
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    Z

    zenithpa

    Free Member
    May 16, 2026
    6
    5
  • #13
    Peter Morris said:
    From my experience, the key is finding a provider that balances professionalism with flexibility, especially if you want them to filter genuine customer calls from sales pitches.

    I haven’t used Moneypenny before, but I’ve heard good things about smaller, boutique services that tailor packages to startups or solo founders. Sometimes the lesser‑known providers can be more cost‑effective while still giving that professional front‑desk feel.

    Curious to hear if anyone here has tried newer players in the market, would be great to compare notes.
    Click to expand...
    We are new-ish 😀 and very passionate in what we do.
     
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    Codeunkie1992

    Free Member
    Business Listing
    Apr 10, 2026
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    0
    www.iconoffices.co.uk
  • #14
    You might want to look at smaller or mid tier answering services rather than the big names, as they often offer more flexible pricing and a more personal touch. Some businessses also use virtual receptionists combined with call filtering tools to cut down on sales calls effecively. It really depends on your call volume and how much custmisation you need in handlin inquiries.
     
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