Bussiness Phone

[J Berry]

I will be just starting out this spring and was
wondering, with out having another phone line installed
how can I know when the phone rings if it's a potential
customer or a personal phone call.

Thanks for any input
Jim
Grass Tender's Lawn Service

[bob]

Caller ID? Or on your answering machine say "you have reached the Berry household and Grass Tender's Lawn Service".

[1MajorTom]

I'd have to say the best thing to have especially when you're in business, is Caller ID. Not expensive. I think
it's about $7.50 a month.

That way, before you answer the call, you know who is calling.


Jodi

[HOMER]

You can get distinctive ring. It's an option you can get for a one line household. I had it when I started but now I have a dedicated line. I still have it though, the kids have their own number and the phone will do a double ring when they call it, a single ring for all others. Have this feature put on your phone and in all your advertisements use the new number they give you. Easy to know then when it's a customer or someone that would normally call.

[1st impressions]

JBerry


I believe the best way to handle your situation is by getting a special digital answering machine that allows for multiple "mail boxes" , one you can use for personal and one for business calls.

Another option is to always answer your phone with your business name.This will become a hassle after a while.
Look into getting caller ID.At least you will recognize when friends and family call.

I understand that this is your first year and money is tight but i strongly believe you should have a dedicated line. An extra personal line is cheaper than putting in a business line but then you will not be listed in the business directory of the Yellow Pages.

In a year when you have more
money, you will get a new line anyway so you will be kicking yourself because you are going to have to get new cards and stationary printed which can be expensive.


Just my thought. Good luck!

[Randy Scott]

I had two lines put in the spare room, which is the office, one as the business line and one is the fax. Both lines cost me $60 bucks a month, so even if you just got one, it should onlt be about half that. The business line is about $8 more than just another line in the house, but like 1st impressions said, it gets you in the yellow pages.

[Skookum]

Wow, Randy you are getting a deal on those lines.

Residential line here is $28.00 a month each. Business line is $125.00 a month.

I have two residential lines at $56.00 a month then you can pay as little as $35.00 a month for a Yellow Page listing.

[Randy Scott]

Wow, that's quite a difference Skookum. I was even a little pi$$ed when I had to pay more for the business lines than the home line. To me it's just another line but maybe there are things involved that make it a few bucks more, anyway, I didn't think it was too bad, I guess that's why it doesn't bother me having them. Weird how different areas are priced so much differently.

[Runner]

Jim, I would just stay with the one line. Once you get your clientel built up, you're not going to need or not going to be able take that much extra work anyway. What are you doing, mostly landscape installations or mostly maintenance? If it's mostly maintenance, then you don't need it, because once your clientelle is established, it's a regular thing-they're there to stay. If you were just doing one time installations for example, then it is a hit and miss thing. You want NEW work coming in continuously. Believe me, you advertise in the yellow pages, then you're spending a WHOLE LOT of money to be constantly answering a phone to hear "How much do you charge to mow a lawn?" This gets OLD and FAST! Most are false leads anyway. That's the beauty of this business. If you're good, word of mouth will give you all you need.

[SJR Lawncare]

One option would be to just use a cell phone for business. You always have it with you, easy for your customers to reach you, & vice versa. Just another idea.

SJR

[rdh]

skookum those prices are about the same here.

[eslawns]

Cheapest way is distictive ring, but when you make outgoing calls, it will show up on their caller ID as your home number. Some will write it down and call you with that, no matter how many times you ask them not to.

My second line is a basic line. Each outgoing call costs about a dime. The basic charge is about $12 a month. This way when you aren't making phone calls, the bill is lower. Once you grow, you can change to a different plan.

Good luck.

[KirbysLawn]

Distinctive ring, $3.25 a month is the way to go if $$ is a big issue. Remember, the DR number will go to your home answering maching so leave masage as needed.

[Skookum]

Hey along this same line, have you guys gotten this yet. On my second line, I also use it for my fax and computer. I very rarely make long distance calls on this line. I faxed something last month and I got the bill the other day. the fax cost me .14 to send, but the bill was $5.89. AT&T charged me a minimum surcharge for long distance. They do not charge me when no long distance calls, but kicks in for the month when you make one call. Still cheaper than any plan they offer, but stinks when I do use it.

[Greenkeepers]

Skookum I had the same thing happen in our office. I tried to fight it but I didn't win. We have a dedicated line in my office for the business. It is much easier and then you know it's business on it.

[Prime Seasons]

Distinctive ring works well for me as a solo operator in lawn maintenance. Costs about $6 per month.

However, no one else has mentioned this. I programmed my answering machine to ring to my pager every time I get a message. Then I carry the business cell phone with me. This is a cheap way to give quick return communication to your customers. However, when I get a page from home, I don't know if it is from Joe Customer or Aunt Edna...

[Kent Lawns]

Will cellular prices at only .10/minute, you need a cell phone anyway, why not use that as your business line. Most come w/ voice-mail and your customers can reach you more easily.

--Not for everybodym but I know quite a few guys who have it and are happy with the arrangement.

[double e]

This probably isn't what your looking for- but I give everyone my cell number. It has caller ID and I get FREE incoming calls. I also have voice mail for when I'm on mower. Monthly bill runs about $100 busy season, $60 off season.

[dmk395]

Personally I have a cellphone for the business. U can access messages anywhere, while even on the road, and make calls when on the road. With voicemail u never miss messages. Just get a laptop for the truck and u have a virtual office.