The Real Numbers
| Human Receptionist | £24,000/year |
| Salary | £18,000-20,000 |
| Employer tax (NI) | £2,000-3,000 |
| Holiday pay | £1,000-2,000 |
| Training | £500-1,000 |
| AI Phone Receptionist | £7,164/year |
| Monthly service (£597 × 12) | £7,164 |
| Setup | One-time £797 |
But It's Not Just About Cost
Availability:
- Human: 9-5, weekends off, holidays, sick days
- AI: 24/7/365, never sick, never on holiday
Consistency:
- Human: Mood matters, skill varies, training takes weeks
- AI: Same quality every call, immediate, perfects with experience
Scalability:
- Human: Add a second person if you grow
- AI: Handles 10x more calls for same price
The Hidden Advantages of AI
1. Real-time Booking — Human receptionist takes a message, you call back. AI books the MOT directly into your calendar.
2. SMS Confirmation — No no-shows because customers get instant SMS with booking details and manage link.
3. Reduces Your Load — Even if you keep your human receptionist, AI handles the routine calls while she focuses on customer problems and follow-ups.
When to Choose Each
Choose a human receptionist if: You have a front desk, answer 100+ calls/day, and want someone to handle customer complaints face-to-face.
Choose AI if: You want to capture every call, reduce team interruptions, save on staffing costs, and answer calls 24/7.
Most garages do both: Human team for complex issues, AI for routine "Can I book an MOT?" calls. Best of both worlds.