Guide
What an AI receptionist can and cannot do
Updated
What it does well
The strengths are speed, consistency and records:
- Answers instantly at any hour, on many calls at once.
- Asks the questions your trade needs: location, problem, urgency, vehicle or system details.
- Books appointments into a calendar and queues follow-ups.
- Answers common questions: hours, service area, what you do and do not handle.
- Writes up every call: recording, transcript and summary.
Where you still need a person
Plan for a human on these:
- Quotes and pricing decisions that depend on judgment.
- Complaints, disputes and emotionally charged calls.
- Anything outside the rules you set: it routes these to you.
- Physical, in-person front-desk work.
Setting it up well
The quality of an AI receptionist tracks the quality of what it knows about your business: services, service area, hours, what to book and what to hand off. A managed service builds this with you and keeps tuning it from real calls.
Common questions
Will it give out prices?
That is your choice. Many businesses have it explain that every job is different and offer to book an estimate.
What if it does not know an answer?
It says so, takes the caller's details, and flags the question for you.