Outsourcing customer service (how do I?)

[JLeezer]

So, I'm finding that my company (it is just me right now) cannot handle the demand for phone support from customers placing complex and extensive orders given my full time job for another company. I'm trying to figure out a solution to allow me to keep my job while also providing the best phone support possible to increase sales (so that I can someday soon quite my job). The dilemma I'm faced with is that our products, while they are all variations of shirts, long sleeve shirts, and hoodies, can be fairly complex when being ordered for fundraisers (anywhere from 30 to 200 shirts per order with different styles, sizes, colors and designs).

I'm trying to figure out what type of virtual assistant would best be able to handle calls regarding placing orders. Has anyone had to use a service with this kind of detailed information at the assistant's fingertips? Any help would be great. References, past experiences, anything really. Thanks.

[Richard Burton]

hi there,

we should talk. I've done this pretty successfully in the UK.

message me your email.

rich

[HugoBoss]

My uncle has a business in South America that could benefit you, he charges less than half what people here in the States charge.

bolinvest - Inicio

[JLeezer]

Thanks for the link Hugo, but everything on the site is in another language (I apologize for my ignorance of just what language it is, but I know what I know, and that language isn't something I know.)

Anyone else know of any other resources for virtual customer support?

Thanks

[Fanatik]

JLeezer, have you read "4-hour-workweek"? It's a good resource for EXACTLY what you're looking for. I'd recommend heading to Borders and picking it up, if it's just to flip to the middle and back for the resources you need. It all basically centers around outsourcing various parts of business, most notably CS.

YourManInIndia / Google - Virtual Assitant

I know india might not be something you want to do, but if you do outsource to India (as I've done with YMII), you can tell them EXACTLY what you want/need, interview the person or persons (normally there's a team of 4-5 that do CS for you in alternating shifts), so you can ensure their english/indian accent is where you want it. If not, tell them you want someone else.

It might seem like a pain in the ass, but India is 10 x's cheaper than doing that in the states, and you'd be surprised what kind of reps you can get. Although you'll need to make a training plan, so they know exactly what you need - they're usually pretty sharp and will keep you happy.

J

[JLeezer]

Thanks Fanatik. I had actually listened to the audiobook version of that a while ago (let me tell you what a pain in the arse it was to listen through the resources section of each chapter...w-w-w-d-o-t-y-o-u-r-m-a-n-i-n-i-n-d-i-a-d-o-t-c-o-m), but had forgotten about it until you mentioned it. I'll go see if I can't dig it up.

Thanks again!