Quick answer: For most independent dealers and local retailers, start with a tool you can test free before connecting your real number, use it only for overflow and after-hours calls at first, and pick on price model and handoff to a person. As of Oct 20, 2026: Smith.ai has a free tier (25 calls a month), Rosie starts at US$49/month, Goodcall at US$79/month, and My AI Front Desk ("Frontdesk") at US$99/month.
Saturday afternoon, the phone rings while everyone is with a customer. An AI receptionist answers easy questions (hours, delivery area, brands) and takes a message or transfers everything else.
The case for answering quickly is strong. In a Harvard audit of 2,241 US firms summarized by Vivocha, firms that tried to contact a web lead within an hour were nearly seven times as likely to qualify it as those that waited even an hour longer (Vivocha).
Just want missed callers texted? See Stop losing sales to missed calls.
Try it in 30 minutes
Write your top 10 phone questions and answers (hours, address, delivery area and fees, brands, financing basics, returns, "can I talk to someone?"). (10 min)
Load them into a free trial or demo of one tool below. Don't forward your real number yet. (10 min)
Call it 5 times using the test script below. (10 min)
What to measure: - Of 5 test calls, how many got a correct answer, how many were handed off properly, and how many got something wrong or made up. - After going live on overflow only: calls answered vs. calls that used to hit voicemail (your phone system's call log shows missed calls), and messages your team returned the same day.
The 5-call test script
Call and say, in your own words: 1. "What time are you open Saturday?" (easy fact) 2. "Do you deliver to [nearby town], and what does it cost?" (fact from your list) 3. "Is the [model] in stock?" (it should NOT guess; it should take a message or transfer) 4. "I'm upset, my delivery was supposed to be today." (it should apologize and get a person) 5. "Can you give me a better price?" (it should not negotiate)
Any tool that invents stock, prices or delivery dates fails the test.
Paste-in instructions for any AI receptionist
You answer the phone for [Store], an independent [type] store in [town].
Be warm, brief and local. Use only these facts: [paste your top 10 Q&As].
Never state stock levels, prices, delivery dates or financing approval. Say:
"Let me get someone to confirm that for you," then take the caller's name, number and
question, or transfer to [number] during [hours].
Transfer right away if the caller is upset, has a service or warranty problem, or asks for a person.
At the end, repeat back their name, number and question.
The comparison (prices from each vendor's pricing page, checked Oct 20, 2026; USD)
Tool | Starting price | How it bills | Free option | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
$0 (25 calls/month, then $3.00/call); Pro $150/month (75 calls) | Per call | Free tier | Can transfer to live North America-based receptionists; month-to-month with 30 days' notice to cancel | |
$49/month (250 minutes) | Per minute bundle | 7-day free trial | Says it learns from your Google profile and website; English and Spanish; Scale plan ($149) adds call transfers and calendar booking | |
$79/month (100 unique customers, then $0.79 each) | Per unique caller, no per-minute charges | Free demo agent before connecting a number | Keep your number by forwarding; Growth $129/month for 500 unique customers | |
$99/month or $79/month billed annually (200 voice minutes) | Minutes plus credits | No permanently free plan | Includes web chat, 2-way SMS and a CRM in the same plan | |
Your existing software | Varies | Varies | — | Service and installation businesses on Jobber can add its AI Receptionist for $29/month |
All-in-one messaging platforms like Podium and Birdeye also sell AI phone and messaging features, but their pages don't list prices; you'll need a sales call.
Canada check: before buying, ask each vendor whether it supports Canadian local numbers and forwarding from your Canadian carrier.
How to choose
Low call volume, want to test free: Smith.ai's free tier or Goodcall's demo agent.
Busy Saturdays, short calls: compare a per-call or per-caller plan against a per-minute bundle using last month's call log.
Want chat and texting in the same box: Frontdesk includes them in one plan.
Consent and recording (not legal advice)
AI receptionists often text callers a link or summary. Keep those texts about the call. Promotions need consent: in Canada under CASL (CRTC), and in the US the FCC says AI-generated voice calls are illegal unless the consumer agreed or the caller is exempt, and commercial texts need written consent (FCC). That applies to outbound calls and texts, so don't switch on AI outbound calling without advice. Also tell callers the call may be recorded, and check your province's or state's rules.
FAQ
Can it book appointments? Several can, on higher plans (for example Rosie's Scale plan). For a store, booking measure visits, installs or service calls is the most useful use.
Do I have to change my phone number? Usually not. Goodcall says you can keep your existing number by forwarding it; ask any other vendor the same question before you sign up.
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AI Tips for Dealers is written by Al Ruttan in Winkler, Manitoba, for independent dealers and local retailers.