After-Hours Calls: How to Capture Customers While You Sleep

In the SA, where Amazon Prime delivers in under 24 hours, Ubers arrive within minutes, and social media offers instant scrolling gratification, customer behaviour has changed.

People no longer shop, book, or enquire strictly between 9–5 — they do it on their terms.

• A salon client might scroll Instagram at 10pm and decide to book a haircut.

• A homebuyer might browse Rightmove after the kids are asleep.

• A parent might search for a plumber at 6am before the school run & work.

If you’re closed, and your phone just rings out, those customers will simply call the next business on Google.

Why After-Hours Calls Matter

• 80% of missed callers never try again – you don’t get a second chance.

• Evening and weekend calls are often urgent or high-value enquiries.

• Being the one business that answers at 9pm gives you a clear competitive edge.

Research from Moneypenny (2025) shows 40% of service business calls happen outside normal hours, yet most SMEs are missing them.

How Gerbo Works for Different Industries

Estate Agents & Property Management

Property is all about speed. If a buyer calls about a £350,000 home at 8:30pm and hears voicemail, they’ll ring the next agent.
Gerbo can answer, confirm the relevant property, and take details for a viewing while you’re at home, so you never lose that customer, and ultimately, commission.

Learn more about how we help estate agents with our AI call answering here.

Salons & Beauty Clinics

Most clients book after work. If you’re closed, they won’t leave a voicemail; they’ll book online elsewhere.
Gerbo can answer, confirm opening hours, share treatment availability, and help secure a booking for you overnight.

Trades: Plumbers, Electricians, Builders, Carpenters

Emergencies don’t keep office hours. From burst pipes to power cuts, if you answer first, you often win the job.
Gerbo ensures every enquiry is logged and sent to you instantly, so you can respond or schedule at your convenience.

Therapists & Health Clinics

Many clients work during the day and only call for appointments in the evening.
Gerbo can provide reassurance, collect patient details, and schedule follow-ups - boosting trust and reducing lost bookings.

Restaurants & Hospitality

Late-night diners, group bookings, and event planners often call outside service hours. Gerbo can answer, take bookings, and handle simple questions, so you open the next day with a full reservations list.

The Results You Can Expect

Businesses using Gerbo typically see:
✅ Answer rates jump from ~60% to 98%+
✅ More bookings and leads captured overnight
✅ Improved brand perception as “the business that always answers”
✅ Zero extra staffing costs for after-hours cover

Ready to Capture Every Call — Day or Night?

With Gerbo, you can:

• Stay “open” 24/7 without hiring night staff

• Sound human, local, and professional with our SA voice

• Receive instant lead summaries via email or SMS

• Stay GDPR-compliant and protect customer data