Virtual Receptionist Pricing: What Is a Receptionist Minute?
As an attorney at a small law firm, you have a lot on your plate. Maybe you heard about Virtual Receptionist services from a colleague or saw an ad online. You’re already imagining the relief that would come from no longer being responsible for your calls. The silence you could work in without the constant ringing of the phone. The time and peace you would have to spend on casework. And you are SOLD on the idea!
But there’s one thing standing in your way: Who do you choose?
If transparent pricing is important to you, understanding the difference between virtual receptionist providers who charge by the minute and those who charge by the receptionist minute, is crucial.
What is a Receptionist Minute?
You may have noticed that many virtual receptionist providers list their plans as covering X amount of receptionist minutes. Maybe you assumed that receptionist minute is just a cute way of saying “each minute your receptionist spends on the phone”. Unfortunately, that is not usually the case. Instead, receptionist minute is a somewhat sneaky term that is used in place of “minute” because, well, actual minutes aren’t what you’re being charged for.
Receptionist Minute = actual time your receptionist spent on the phone + the amount of time rounded up to the nearest 30 or 60 seconds.
That’s right! Some virtual receptionist providers round their call time up to the nearest 30 seconds and some round up to the nearest minute.
Here’s what you would be charged for if a phone call lasts for 2 minutes and 15 seconds:
30-second increment receptionist minutes: 2 minutes and 30 seconds
60-second increment receptionist minutes: 3 minutes
Why do virtual receptionist providers use receptionist minutes?
The answer is pretty simple: Rounding up call minutes allows virtual receptionist providers to boast a lower price, while still bringing in the same amount of money that they would make if they charged more and calculated your call time by real minutes.
Imagine this:
You have a 300-minute monthly virtual receptionist plan and your average call lasts for 2 minutes and 15 seconds.
Here’s how quickly that 300-minute plan would run out under receptionist minute pricing:
30-second increment receptionist minutes: 120 calls at 270 total real minutes
60-second increment receptionist minutes: 100 calls at 225 total real minutes
Yikes!
Back Office Betties charges by real minutes and never rounds up
At Back Office Betties, we believe in transparent pricing. We calculate your call time by real minutes and never round up.
That means if your Betties receptionist spends 2 minutes and 15 seconds on a call, we charge you for 2.25 minutes. No more, no less, and no sneaky technicalities.
Check out our real-minute monthly plans here.
Want to learn more about why Back Office Betties Virtual Legal Receptionists are the best choice for small law firms? Schedule a free Discovery Call today.
