Quote:
Originally Posted by Kymmy
Skype then, just pay the £2.24 incl. VAT a month for Unlimited country, this will then give you a landline number that you can then forward to your home line (you don't pay anymore)
Keeps your home number private but doesn't need an internet connection after your initial setup
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Thanks for that, I didn't know that was an option.
Unfortunately, it's not going to work for me. I was trying to avoid making my first post too long by including every bit of info, but with Call Sign you can get a box that plugs into the phone socket and splits it into two phone lines, according to the ring tone. I can then have one line to the study, the other to the home phone and only the right phone rings. This means I then know whether to answer the phone professionally or just by grunting like I normally do. It also means I can switch the study line onto an answering machine outside office hours and not get bothered by anyone when I'm relaxing with a beer.
I'll just have to stand the cost of the extra line. Any further info on the above questions? Thanks to all so far. This should be useful info for a good number of people.
---------- Post added at 18:07 ---------- Previous post was at 17:58 ----------
Quote:
Originally Posted by PeteTheMusicGuy
I strongly suggest getting a business line as has been suggested by other posters. I think some of the BT Business packages have 4 hour response time as well
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I have had a look, and business lines are more expensive (but not massively, surprisingly). You don't get any inclusive call packages though.
I'm not planning to run a call centre, I just need a point of contact. I'll be mainly selling stuff online - to me, a proper phone number gives a reassuring feeling to a customer.
I've never known my existing NTL line to stop working, and it wouldn't be a crisis if it did. I would assume that even a business line doesn't guarantee anything - I'd guess that if they exceed 4 hours then their contract states that they're not responsible for any losses as a result (e.g. that £10 million order). You probably just get a few quid back, just as with a home phone (but after a shorter time).
The other issue is that the BT line is physically disconnected, and BT charge much more than NTL for installation.
The phone will be accessed indirectly anyway, via a freephone number. I can just divert this to my mobile if there is a problem with the line (and I know about it).