How to choose an AI receptionist in Tampa Bay
Last updated · Mars Network Services, Tampa Bay and Palm Coast, FL
Ask every provider the same 13 questions below, get the answers in writing, and call their own phone line before you sign. The ones that matter most in Tampa Bay: does it disclose it's an AI and announce recording (Florida requires all-party consent), is calling included in the price, does it speak Spanish, and what happens to your calls during a storm.
We wrote this checklist and we sell Mara, so each question also shows how Mara answers it. Use it on us too.
The checklist
Does it say it's an AI?
Why it matters: Callers should hear it at the start of every call. Hiding it costs trust the first time someone notices.
Mara: Yes. Mara says she is an AI assistant on every call and every kiosk visit.
Does it announce that the call is recorded?
Why it matters: Florida requires every party's consent to record a call, so a recorded line should say so up front.
Mara: Yes. The recording notice plays at the start of every call.
How many minutes are included, and what happens when you go over?
Why it matters: Get the price of a busy month in writing, not just the starting price.
Mara: 150 to 750 minutes depending on the plan. Run over and we call you first, no surprise per-minute bill.
Are the phone line and calling costs in the price?
Why it matters: Some providers bill your phone and calling usage on top of the monthly fee.
Mara: Included for your plan's minutes.
Do you keep your own number?
Why it matters: You should be able to leave without changing your number or your listings.
Mara: Yes. You forward your existing number to Mara and can stop forwarding any day.
Can it book into your calendar, or only take requests?
Why it matters: A request still needs a callback. A booking doesn't.
Mara: Books into Microsoft 365 or Google calendars on Phone Plus, Phone Pro, Front Office and Everywhere.
Can it transfer a caller to a person live?
Why it matters: Some calls need you. A message is not the same as a transfer.
Mara: Yes, on every phone plan.
Does it speak Spanish?
Why it matters: Ask for a test call in Spanish, not a checkbox.
Mara: Every lobby plan, and Phone Pro on the phone.
What happens in a storm or an outage?
Why it matters: Hurricane season is a real test. Ask what callers hear when your office loses power or internet.
Mara: Phone answering runs in the cloud, so it keeps answering when your office is dark as long as your carrier forwards the calls. The kiosk falls back to QR check-in and call forwarding.
What about people who walk in?
Why it matters: Phone-only services never see the person standing in your lobby.
Mara: A countertop kiosk greets walk-ins, checks them in and texts your team.
What is the contract and setup fee?
Why it matters: A setup fee is normal. A long term on a phone-only service is not.
Mara: Phone-only: $299 setup, month to month. With a kiosk: $999 setup, 24 months, kiosk included.
Who supports it, and can they come to you?
Why it matters: A help-desk ticket in another time zone is different from someone who can be at your office this week.
Mara: Mars Network Services, a Florida IT company in Tampa Bay and Palm Coast. You call a person.
Can you hear it before you buy?
Why it matters: Call the provider's own line. If they don't use their product, ask why.
Mara: Call (386) 359-4179. Mara answers our main line.
Scoring it
Give each provider one point for every question it answers clearly and in writing. Anything under 10 deserves a second look, and a provider that won't let you call its own line probably isn't using its product.
Next: what an AI receptionist costs and how one works.
Questions
How much should an AI receptionist cost in Tampa Bay?
AI phone answering usually runs about $100 to $350 a month. Mara is $199 to $349 a month on the phone with minutes included, or $449 to $899 with a lobby kiosk.
Is a local provider worth it?
If you only need calls answered, any provider that passes this checklist can work. If you have a lobby, want in-person setup, or want someone who can come to your office, local matters.
How long does it take to switch?
With Mara, phone-only setup is a forwarding change on your existing number after your approved answers are loaded and tested. Your number never changes.