Hello there,
This is yet, another one of my telephone threads :). I'm trying to get all of the suggestions and opnions I can so once I do open, I'm offering a great quality service :). I have a couple of questions for you! Please feel free to tell me what you're company does.

* Do you know of any Virtual PBX companies that allow you to upload your own custom "on-hold" music?

* Should I have a fax number? If so, what exactly would/should I be recieving fax wise?

* Ring tones or music? :D:D

Thanks a lot for your opnions and answers!

Cheers,
-- Tim

ring tones. yes get a fax to recieve stuff if you need. (ie verify identity for large purchases or something)

1. Upload your music to your own server/parition
2. A phone is better. Only need fax if you wish to handle cancelations this way.
3. I like music :)

* Do you know of any Virtual PBX companies that allow you to upload your own custom "on-hold" music?

We use gotvmail.com - the cheapest plan is $9.95/mo and 7.4c/min, but you can upgrade for better minute rates. It does allow custom hold music and I'm fairly happy with the service so far. If you want to try it out, feel free to drop off a voicemail at 1-888-458-8864 (no hold music on operator extension yet).

Other popular providers include tollfreelive.com and ringcentral.com. The prices in the market usually don't fluctuate in any major way.

* Should I have a fax number? If so, what exactly would/should I be recieving fax wise?
If you need a fax number, then go for it. Most places will let you add on a 'virtual' fax number for $5-10/mo if you have a toll free plan with them. The only difference between that and a 'real' fax machine is that the faxes will be emailed to you, or uploaded to your online control panel.

Some uses of faxes:


Customer verification - ask 'fishy' customers to fax a copy of their ID/utility bill to protect yourself from fraud
Credit card authorization - if you accept credit cards directly you may benefit from a credit card authorization form. If the buyer attempts a chargeback against you, you'll have better odds of keeping that money. * Ring tones or music? :D:D
For the caller? Music! Get Adobe Audition and splice in some promotional messages about your company into your favourite song and use it for your hold audio.

* Should I have a fax number? If so, what exactly would/should I be receiving fax wise?
Most definitely. In regards to what you might receive, it simply depends. Regardless though, it's always helpful.

Thanks for all of the replies! Feel free to continue voice your opnion :)

Cheers,
-- Tim