Anyone got a solution for this?

Any other requirements? If you go premium rate you don't need to mess with credit card payments, however if you go for a regular geographic number it may look more genuine (not that I'm doubting your... ahem... gift)

Cheap as chips, a basic system to do what you ask would cost...

50p per month fixed regardless of number of agents
--- no fees to the telco carrier at all as you'll be inbound only
--- no fee for the routing between agents either

Your agents phones can be as low as 35.oo each, plus a little for the headset - although you can do without the phone and manage your calls through the computer using a free softphone which is just as good.

Of course, that is just the basic. You may probably need two more things to be successful. Firstly, I would normally suggest that you need a pre-recorded intro to make sure your ICSTIS requirements are met - however, if you don't want to 'feel' like an entertainment service you may wish to ignore that, but by doing so you REALLY need to drill the opening disclaimer about call charges into your agents heads as ICSTIS are ferocious - or, use a regular geographic number and take card payments thus avoiding the ICSTIS issues entirely.

Secondly, you will almost certainly need a simple CRM. Why? Well, you need to make 'psychic notes' about your customer for when they return. Ideally, you should know who they are and what you've talked about before you even answer the phone (CallerID can be made to trigger a pop-up with their notes). This is particularly effective if they get a different agent who adds a little time-wasting drama and stretches out their recap as though it was coming from 'beyond' ... this can make a 5 minute call before you even get to any actual real reading, but the customer stands to be impressed regardless.

Your initial intro, call recordings, CRM, popups and any IVR or manual agent-to-agent transfers you may require can be set up for free but you will need to dedicate a PC to this - it needn't be a great machine though. If you use a premium number you will also need it to time your calls for you as I believe there is an upper limit on how long you can keep them on the line without incurring the wrath of ICSTIS (Although they can call back immediately if they wish)

So,

50p per month for the number and service provision
10-20 pounds per agent initial headset cost
A spare PC (Beg borrow or steal one)
Each agent must have a serviceable computer, an internet connection and a quiet place to work.

And you're good to go : )

ADVERT REMOVED BY MODERATOR

-TheITGuy

I'm not one for whining at moderators in public. However, for the sake of the record I'd like to point out that in my view there was absolutely no advertising of any commercial services in the mails above... just an offer of free help in my own time to someone just starting out.

For my motivation in releasing a home telephone number, I urge you to consider the domain name of the site (callcentrehelper) and point out that there appears to be no PM facility.

Not arguing, just saying.

-TheITGuy