FAQs

What do you offer in a nutshell & how can the service benefit me?
We offer a virtual London office & call handling facility with calls taken live from 8am to 7pm weekdays and Saturdays if needed. You can either divert your existing number to a dedicated line here or publish your allocated number directly. Calls are handled as if we were your front desk for a fraction of the cost of a full time receptionist.

How much is the service likely to cost?
The average monthly bill is between £60 & £70 and whilst this depends solely on usage, you are only charged for calls you need & messages you want. If you don’t want messages from callers who say they’ll ‘phone back later’ we won’t send a chargeable message telling you that. If the caller is an unwanted salesman, we can tell them you’re not interested. Full Account Management is also included in the monthly service rate.

How does it all work?
Each client has a dedicated number and whether this is dialled directly or is the number your existing line diverts to, this number triggers a screen pop which contains all the relevant scripted information on your company.

Is ‘78’ effectively the same as employing my own receptionist?
Yes, from the point of view of having calls answered in your company name and us having a basic knowledge of the company. You also have the facility to update your diary with us which will determine how callers are responded to on a daily basis.

Will my callers know they are speaking to a call centre?
No, there are several ways in which we reduce excess background noise so that we sound like a reception desk as opposed to a call centre.

Is ‘78’ unique?
Yes, we believe we have a unique set of ingredients which makes us an ideal business partner. The entire team has a conscientious work ethic and an excellent reputation within the industry. We describe our style as friendly, confident, alert & efficient and take pride in offering a high level of client & customer service. Our policy is to be open, flexible and honest. A happy tight-knit group of long term staff ensures an atmosphere of enthusiasm and professionalism. 40% of our clients have been with us for over two years. Most new business now comes via referrals from past & present clients.

How does ‘78’ differ from it’s competitors?
‘78’ is one of the longest established in the industry and one of very few based in London. When transferring calls to you, call charges are levied at BT standard rates without any premium added. A personal Account Manager is allocated to each client ensuring immediate attention to any reviews or queries to the service. We are an independent, unfranchised, office based company committed to the core business. Our time is not diluted with selling telecoms/internet, legal/accounting or any other unrelated business services. Charges are not made for screening unsolicited sales calls. There are no restrictive or minimum contractual terms.

Who else do you work for? We have a really varied client base, mainly in the UK using us for the reception service and others for a full virtual facility. You can see who we work for & request references from the listings at the following link:

• Virtual London Office References

How can I trust that '78' will promote a good image for my company?
You can request references from clients who use us in a similar capacity, but the only true way to tell if we will suit you is to order a free trial of the service. You are welcome to do this without any obligation or upfront payment.