Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do you bill for services; by the call or time?
A. A Live Answer, Inc. utilizes time billing which is explained on our pricing page.
Q. Am I forced into using a pre-operator announcement like other answering services?
A. Absolutely not, although some of our accounts have found they can reduce their answering service bill by using this feature it is not required. We always offer a “Live” answer but can explore whether or not using a pre-operator announcement would suit your needs.
Q. Can service be established promptly and without a lot of hassle?
A. Certainly, most accounts can start with us the same day depending on the complexity of your account. We do require the 1st month base rate and a deposit equal to that rate to begin service. We will gladly accept this payment with a Visa, Master Card, Discover, American Express or PayPal payment to get your service started the same day.
Q. Are all calls answered by a “live” person?
A. Yes, We do have a sophisticated voice mail system that can screen calls for you and provide information to your callers or transfer callers to voice mail all without using operator time thus reducing your bill. But we don’t force you to use it. Live answering service has been the hallmark of our business and always will be.
Q. Can I receive a local telephone number?
A. No, our disaster contingency plan relies on the super redundancy of toll free lines. Toll free lines are not tied to a specific area and operate on a national network so they are unaffected by local weather and natural disasters. A Live Answer, Inc. will supply you with a nationwide toll free number to which you can connect to our service. This insures that there is never a toll charge for you or your customers. All toll free charges are built into our pricing so there is never an extra charge for toll free minutes. If you want a local number you can simply get a line from your local phone company and forward it to our toll free.
Q. How many calls of mine can you handle at one time?
A. On our end there is no limit. However, some phone companies do limit the number of calls they will forward at a time. Please check with your local phone company to determine if they limit the number of calls that can be forwarded.
Q. What payment methods do you accept?
A. We accept Visa, Master Card, American Express, Discover and PayPal.
Q. Do you charge extra for service during the holidays?
A. No. There are never any hidden fees.
Q. How do I pick up messages?
A. The fastest way is dial in through are automated check-in line. Simply dial the toll free check-in line provided to you, enter your account number and the system will immediately tell you if you have any messages. At this point you will have the option to press “6” to have your messages automatically faxed or emailed to you, or press “0” to reach an operator to read your messages to you. Calls coming in from the check-in line are given the highest priority so you will never hold to get your messages. Your messages can also be automatically sent to you on predetermined days and times.
Q. Who are the owners of A Live Answer, Inc.?
A. The owners Chris Moschella and Robert Hudelson are ready and willing to talk to you day or night about any operational questions or concerns you may have. They both hold regular office hours Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 5:00 EST, but can be reached 24 hours a day by calling our office number 800-355-2650, or their personal email addresses below.
Chris Moschella's Email
Rob Hudelson's Email
Q. How can I receive my messages?
A. We have a lot of options for you to choose from. However, some delivery methods take longer and therefore will incur more operator time being billed. Emailing you a message is immediate and involves very little operator time, having to call you on your cell phone and relay the messages involves more operator time.
No Charge:
Alpha-Page
Text/SMS Message
E-Mail/PDA
Charged: Any outbound call to relay message.
*Cell Phone
*Land line
*Digital Beeper
Q. Is there a setup fee to start service?
A. No, we never charge a setup or programming fee.
Q. Do I have to sign a lengthy contract with you?
No. A Live answer requires all of our clients to sign a service agreement, not a long-term contract. Our customers stay with us because they are so pleased with our service, not because they are locked into a contract.
Q. We have a lot of people who receive messages and they have different means of receiving messages. Will you be able to accommodate multiple delivery methods for my account?
A. Yes. You can use a different method for delivery for each person, the choice is yours.
Q. My other service puts me on hold all the time. Am I going to get put on hold when I call in?
A: A Live Answer, Inc. knows that time is money for you, your callers, and us as a company. Our business model was designed with an operator infrastructure and telephony backbone that is unmatched in the industry. Our average hold time is less than 20 seconds, and less than 10% of our calls are ever placed on hold.
Q. Can you transfer or connect my calls directly to me?
A. Certainly! We can transfer calls to any number you choose. *Patching is billed at $1.25 per patch and $0.29 per minute.
Q. What are your rates?
A. Please see our rates page.
Q. When I call to the service, is that charged to my account?
A. Yes. All incoming calls are billable because our rates are based on operator labor.
Q. How do I know all my calls will get answered quickly?
A. We provide each call undivided attention. Unlike other services that will put a call on hold to answer another call just to put it on hold. We utilize a personalized auto answer system, if for some reason a call on your account rings over 3 times it is answered in your company name and placed on hold. This way our operators can do what they are there for, take phone calls not put people on hold.
Q. Are your services available nationwide?
A. Yes, Because of A Live Answer's Inc, advanced digital technologies it does not matter where you are physically located.
Q. I am ready to sign up. Now what?
A. Great. Download and complete the necessary forms and fax back to us at 866-584-2699.
Still have questions we are always available by calling 800-355-2650.