- Written By: B. Miller
- Edited By: Andrew Jones
- Last Modified Date: 11 May 2012
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Copyright Protected:
2003-2012 Conjecture Corporation
There are different types of order takers for different industries in business. An order taker generally interacts with customers in person or over the phone, accepting their requests for various goods or services, and entering these requests into a computer system. An order taker job is generally considered to be a customer service position, and virtually anyone who wants to can succeed at this job, regardless of education beyond high school.
An order taker may work for any business where customers call in to place orders rather than going into a physical store to shop. He or she will likely need to wear a headset with earpieces and a microphone for the duration of his shift, and to sit at a desk working on a computer. When a customer calls, the order taker will need to be pleasant and polite, as well as to answer any questions the potential customer may have about their purchase.
The order taker will then need to enter the customer's selections into the system, as well as to collect additional information such as name, address, phone number, and payment information. He or she might be able to give the customer a shipping or delivery estimate, or offer other options to ensure that the item arrives faster. Some order takers have monthly sales quotas they need to meet, so they might be encouraged to "up-sell" items to customers in order to get them to purchase more of an item or a more expensive item.
Order takers may also work in the hospitality industry. A reservations agent is one type of order taker, who assists potential guests in making reservations for a desired room or rooms for a chosen length of time. A room service order taker is another type, who may also work for the kitchen or front desk, and answer the phone when guests call for room service.
Order takers may also be responsible for resolving problems when customers or guests call. For instance, if a customer orders a particular item and then decides to return it, the order taker may need to help him or her to ensure his account is properly credited for the return. Anyone who wants to do this particular job should enjoy working with people and possess the ability to remain calm. Order takers might not have regular hours, because some call centers are open 24 hours per day for the convenience of the customer; however, some may also be able to earn extra commission from meeting or exceeding sales goals.
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Discuss this Article
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OeKc05
Post 4 |
I always think of workers at restaurants when I think of order takers. Many restaurants have people who answer the phone and write down your takeout order.
This is so convenient for me, because it saves me a lot of time on my lunch break. If I were to go to my favorite restaurant and wait to be served by a waitress, it would probably take at least twenty minutes to get my food. So, if I call an order taker twenty minutes before I plan to be there to pick up my food, it will be ready to go when I arrive.
I generally call in food orders about two or three times a week. I am so glad that my favorite restaurants have order takers. |
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shell4life
Post 3 |
The majority of people tend to order items online now without ever having to speak to an order taker. My mother is one exception.
She will only order an item from a catalog or from a television ad if she can speak to an actual order taker. She hates recordings, and she doesn't even know how to use a computer.
She used to work as an order taker for a clothing company, so she wants to use their services as often as she needs to place an order. She doesn't want the order taker profession to become unnecessary, and she says she will not contribute their downfall by using the internet. |
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cloudel
Post 2 |
@StarJo – I know what you mean. Order takers are generally happier when they are treated well. However, they sometimes can go out of their way to serve customers out of desperation.
After the oil spill of 2010, thousands of people canceled their reservations at hotels all along the Gulf coast. Since it happened in the spring, people were trying to cancel their summer vacation reservations, because they knew that the mess would not be cleaned up entirely by then.
I felt really bad for doing it, but I did cancel my reservation at a hotel in Alabama. The poor order taker must have dreaded hearing the phone every time it rung, because he must have anticipated that it would be another cancellation.
He answered the phone by stating the name of the hotel and following with, “It's a great day at the beach.” When he found out I was calling to cancel, he offered me a deep discount that I normally would have jumped at. He tried everything to keep my business, but I simply could not risk ruining my vacation by going to an oily beach. |
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StarJo
Post 1 |
I have dealt with order takers at hotels before, and they have always been cordial. Considering that the nightly rates for these hotels were over $150, the order takers are probably well-paid and happy with their jobs, which goes a long way.
Generally, people who are well-paid feel more appreciated. They are therefore more willing to commit themselves to being pleasant to the customers and doing a really good job. If raise or bonus incentives are involved, then they may be even more helpful to customers.
It's always nice to speak to a happy person on the phone who is willing to help you with whatever questions or requests you may have. The attitude of certain order takers motivates me to stay in certain hotels over and over again. |
