Skip to content

A missed call can become a booked visit over text.

With missed-call text-back on Pro, Penny follows up so the caller can explain the job and choose an open appointment by reply. Set up texting and consent first; the caller needs a number that can receive SMS.

14 days of Pro included. No credit card. Text-back is a Pro feature.

The ones that slip

Give the caller a place to explain the request.

A missed call may leave only a number. A text reply gives the caller another way to explain the request and gives your office details it can use for follow-up.

The call log has a number but no request

Without a message, your office still needs to find out who called and what they wanted. A reply thread can collect that missing context.

Manual follow-up waits for a break

If you handle the calls yourself, returning an unanswered call has to fit around the work already in progress. Text-back gives the caller a place to respond while you finish it.

The caller replies with a question

An automatic acknowledgment does not answer whether you serve their address or have an appointment available. The reply needs somewhere useful to go.

Some callers prefer to write the details

A service address or a model number may be easier to send in a text. Keep those details with the inquiry so the office can review them later.

How Penny covers it

Penny can book the appointment in the text thread.

The first text opens a conversation. Penny answers from your business information, asks your intake questions, and offers an open calendar slot when the caller is ready to book.

Starts from an eligible missed call

Text-back applies to missed calls detected on your Penny line under your texting settings. It needs a number that can receive SMS, the required consent, and enabled Pro texting. A completed call without a booking is not automatically a missed call.

Answers questions in the reply thread

Penny uses your services, hours, and service area to answer. She asks the intake questions you configured and records the caller’s supplied details.

Books the visit in the reply thread

Penny can offer an available appointment in the text thread. She confirms the time once the appointment is booked. If there is no suitable slot, she records the request for your team.

Keeps a caller’s photo with the inquiry

On Pro, a caller can send a photo for your office to review. It stays with the request so the team can review it before the visit. Penny does not ask callers to approach damaged equipment for a photo.

Continues in English or Spanish

Penny can respond in either language. The caller’s reply gives the thread its language context, and the same intake requirements apply.

Honors the caller’s opt-out

The first message names your business and explains how to opt out. If the caller replies STOP, Penny stops the conversation after confirming the opt-out.

Text-back works alongside Penny’s phone answering. See how she handles your nights on the after-hours answering page, answers in two languages on the bilingual answering service page, or read what she costs in the answering service cost guide.

Phone and text

An unanswered call can become a written service inquiry.

Penny answers live calls and handles replies to your text-enabled line. Text-back gives callers another way to continue when a call does not connect.

Before enabling the first message, complete your business’s texting registration and consent setup. Carrier delivery, a reachable mobile number, and the caller’s opt-in status affect whether a text can be sent. A reply thread gives the caller a choice about continuing.

The demo line

Call Penny and try it

The live demo uses Summit Heating, a fictional HVAC business. Listen to her intake here; test your own trade’s rules in your Penny account. The industry transcripts are scripted examples.

(630) 297-4128
  • Call the shared Summit Heating demo and ask about its hours or service area.
  • Request a routine heating appointment to hear the calendar questions.
  • Switch to Spanish during the call to hear the language change. The scripted text-back example is shown on this page.
Read the thread

A routine garage-door inquiry becomes a confirmed calendar appointment.

A fictional Pro thread after an eligible missed call, with texting and consent already configured. The caller requests a routine garage-door seal visit. Penny collects the name and address before booking an available calendar slot.

pennyassistant.com/messages · SMS thread
Text thread · Wickernook Garage Doors
Sent by Penny · text-back
  1. Penny
    Hi, this is Penny at Wickernook Garage Doors following up on your call. What service do you need? Reply STOP to opt out.
  2. Renata (caller)
    The seal along the bottom of my garage door is worn. Can I arrange a visit?
  3. Penny
    Is the door opening and closing normally, or is it stuck or out of position?
  4. Renata (caller)
    It opens and closes normally. I can see daylight under the edge when it’s closed.
  5. Penny
    I’ll note that for the technician. What’s your name and service address?
  6. Renata (caller)
    Renata Vasquez, 412 Hollis Street. You can use this number to reach me.
  7. Penny
    Thank you, Renata. The calendar has tomorrow at 9 a.m. available. Would you like that appointment?
  8. Renata (caller)
    Yes, please.
  9. Penny
    Your appointment is booked for tomorrow at 9 a.m. at 412 Hollis Street. I’ve noted that the door moves normally and you’re asking about the bottom seal.
  10. Renata (caller)
    I already have a photo of the gap with the door closed. I’ll send it.
  11. Penny
    Received. The photo is attached to your inquiry for the office to review.
In the log
Caller
Renata Vasquez
Service address
412 Hollis Street
Reason
Caller reports worn bottom seal; door moves normally
Booked
Tomorrow, 9 a.m. · calendar confirmed
Booked over text

A scripted thread showing product behavior on Pro. Penny collects the service request before offering a slot. The volunteered photo stays with the inquiry for review.

Text-back questions

When the text goes out, and who it goes to.

Call (630) 297-4128 to hear the shared Summit Heating voice demo. The scripted thread above illustrates Pro text-back.

Reply with the service they need, ask about your hours or service area, and request an appointment. Penny uses the same business information and intake questions as the phone line. Booking depends on an available connected-calendar slot and the required details.

Give Penny a call before you forward yours.

Try the HVAC demo, then set up Penny for your business. Your account includes 14 days of Pro; Free keeps your website chat after the trial.

14 days of Pro included. No credit card.