10-Call Receptionist Challenge
Sample dataNot indexedFrontdesk — 10-Call Receptionist Challenge (Sample Data)
Sample data only. Placeholder scores and transcripts showing how a Frontdesk 10-call test report will be laid out. No calls have been placed; nothing here measures the product.
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Test setup
- Northside Plumbing (test tenant), the fictional plumbing business used for every provider.
- Hours configured as 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM, weekdays.
- Google Calendar with two open slots (Tuesday 1:00 PM, Thursday 3:30 PM) and one existing test booking, connected where the product allows.
- Emergency instruction: after-hours leaks or loss of water go to the on-call line once address and callback are captured.
- Transfer rule: a caller asking for a person is transferred to the owner's cell during hours; otherwise a message is taken.
- Frontdesk's pricing is verified ($99 for 200 voice minutes, checked 2026-09-07); several feature claims remain unverified, so the setup notes will be expanded once the product has actually been configured.
Evaluator summary
SAMPLE DATA — no calls have been placed to Frontdesk. Every number on this page is placeholder content used to review the report layout. The sample places this provider near the bottom of the placeholder range so the template can show a report with several failed scenarios, including a loop on the person request and a guessed holiday-hours answer; those are generic failure patterns chosen for illustration, not observations of this product. Most of this provider's feature claims are also unverified in the provider database, so the setup section will be rewritten once the product has actually been configured for the test tenant. When the challenge runs, this summary will describe the real calls. The scenario catalog and rubric linked below are real and identical for every provider.
Strengths
- Sample: placeholder strength for the baseline booking call, pending real calls.
- Sample: placeholder strength for post-call automation, reflecting the product's positioning rather than any observation.
- Sample: placeholder strength for finding the existing booking on the reschedule call.
Failures
- Sample: placeholder failure illustrating a loop on the human-request call.
- Sample: placeholder failure illustrating a guessed answer on the curveball call.
- Sample: placeholder failure illustrating the booking path offered before the emergency instruction.
- Sample: placeholder failure illustrating no phone-number read-back.
The 10 calls
Call 1 of 10
Easy Appointment
Baseline: a cooperative caller with a simple booking request.
7/10
PassSample dataScenario script
Caller asks for an appointment next Tuesday afternoon, provides name and phone number when asked.
Frontdesk — Easy Appointment
Recording pendingNo recording has been attached yet. When the call is recorded, the audio and synchronized transcript will appear here.
Transcript
- Frontdesk
Northside Plumbing, how can I help you today?
- Caller
Looking for a plumber next Tuesday afternoon.
- Frontdesk
I have Tuesday at 1:00 PM.
Evaluator: Sample annotation: slot offered.
- Caller
Perfect.
- Frontdesk
Your name and a callback number?
- Caller
Alex Rivera, 555-0142.
- Frontdesk
Alex Rivera, 555-0142, Tuesday at 1:00 PM. Booked.
Pass / fail criteria
- Offers a specific available time
- Confirms name and callback number
- States the booked time back to the caller
Observations
- Sample: a passing run offers an open slot.
- Sample: name and number are captured and read back.
- Sample: the time is restated.
Key moments
- Tuesday requested
- Slot offered
- Restated
Evaluator notes
Sample: placeholder notes for the baseline call showing a pass. Sample content only; not a Frontdesk observation. When the real call is scored, this panel will record which of the two open slots was offered and whether the number read-back matched.
Call 2 of 10
The Interrupter
Tests barge-in handling and turn-taking.
5/10
FailSample dataScenario script
Caller repeatedly talks over the receptionist, answers before questions finish, and changes the requested day twice.
Frontdesk — The Interrupter
Recording pendingNo recording has been attached yet. When the call is recorded, the audio and synchronized transcript will appear here.
Transcript
- Frontdesk
Northside Plumbing—
- Caller
Need someone Monday.
Evaluator: Sample annotation: interruption.
- Frontdesk
Monday. What time?
- Caller
Wednesday instead. Hmm, Thursday.
- Frontdesk
Okay, Wednesday. I have—
Evaluator: Sample annotation: sample failure: tracks the middle day.
- Caller
Thursday, I said Thursday.
- Frontdesk
Thursday at 3:30 PM. Name and number?
- Caller
Sam Okafor, 555-0177.
Pass / fail criteria
- Stops speaking when interrupted
- Tracks the final requested day
- Does not repeat the full script after each interruption
Observations
- Sample: a partial run stops when interrupted.
- Sample: the failure illustrated is booking the second day mentioned instead of the third.
- Sample: a prompt is restarted after an interruption.
Key moments
- Interrupted
- Day changes
- Wrong day confirmed (sample failure)
Evaluator notes
Sample: placeholder notes for the barge-in scenario illustrating a fail on tracking the final day. Not a Frontdesk result. The real score will hinge on how quickly the receptionist yields the floor and whether the third day mentioned is the one it books.
Call 3 of 10
Confused Customer
Tests patience and clarification.
6/10
PassSample dataScenario script
Caller is unsure what service they need, describes symptoms vaguely, and asks the receptionist what it thinks.
Frontdesk — Confused Customer
Recording pendingNo recording has been attached yet. When the call is recorded, the audio and synchronized transcript will appear here.
Transcript
- Frontdesk
Northside Plumbing.
- Caller
I hear water running in the walls sometimes. No idea what that is.
- Frontdesk
Does it happen when everything is turned off?
Evaluator: Sample annotation: clarifies.
- Caller
Yeah, at night.
- Frontdesk
A technician should look at that. Name and number?
- Caller
Alex Rivera, 555-0142.
- Frontdesk
Noted, a general plumbing check.
Evaluator: Sample annotation: sample deduction: detail dropped.
Pass / fail criteria
- Asks clarifying questions
- Does not invent a diagnosis or price
- Captures enough detail for a human to follow up
Observations
- Sample: a passing run asks a clarifying question.
- Sample: no diagnosis or price.
- Sample: the deduction illustrates a message lacking the symptom detail.
Key moments
- Vague symptom
- Clarifying question
- Message taken
Evaluator notes
Sample: placeholder notes for the clarification scenario showing a marginal pass. Sample content only. On the real call the evaluator will count clarifying questions and check the post-call message for the caller's own symptom description. Any stated cause or dollar figure in this scenario is an automatic deduction, regardless of how it is hedged.
Call 4 of 10
Price Shopper
Tests accuracy under pressure for numbers.
6/10
PassSample dataScenario script
Caller demands an exact price for a job that requires an estimate and pushes when refused.
Frontdesk — Price Shopper
Recording pendingNo recording has been attached yet. When the call is recorded, the audio and synchronized transcript will appear here.
Transcript
- Frontdesk
Northside Plumbing.
- Caller
Price to replace a main shutoff valve? Exact.
- Frontdesk
That needs an on-site look; I can't quote it by phone. We can schedule an estimate.
- Caller
Ballpark.
- Frontdesk
I can't give a reliable number without seeing it.
Evaluator: Sample annotation: holds.
- Caller
Okay, estimate. Alex Rivera, 555-0142.
Pass / fail criteria
- Explains why a firm price is not possible over the phone
- Offers a next step (estimate visit or callback)
- Never fabricates a number
Observations
- Sample: a passing run explains the estimate requirement.
- Sample: an estimate is offered.
- Sample: no number invented.
Key moments
- Price demanded
- Pushback
- Estimate offered
Evaluator notes
Sample: placeholder notes for the pricing-pressure scenario showing a marginal pass. Not a Frontdesk observation. The real call is scored on whether the receptionist explains the estimate requirement once, offers a next step, and never produces a figure under pressure.
Call 5 of 10
Emergency
Tests urgency detection and routing.
5/10
FailSample dataScenario script
Caller reports an urgent situation (water leak, no heat, car stranded) after hours.
Frontdesk — Emergency
Recording pendingNo recording has been attached yet. When the call is recorded, the audio and synchronized transcript will appear here.
Transcript
- Frontdesk
Northside Plumbing. We're closed right now.
- Caller
Sewage is backing up into my tub, please help.
- Frontdesk
I can book you first thing tomorrow at 8:00 AM.
Evaluator: Sample annotation: sample failure: booking offered instead of on-call routing.
- Caller
This can't wait until tomorrow.
- Frontdesk
Understood. Address and callback number, and I'll flag it as urgent.
- Caller
1400 Test Street, 555-0177.
Pass / fail criteria
- Recognizes urgency
- Follows the business's emergency instructions
- Captures location and callback number quickly
Observations
- Sample: a partial run recognizes urgency.
- Sample: the failure illustrated is offering a next-day booking rather than the on-call route.
- Sample: address and callback are captured.
Key moments
- Emergency
- Booking path (sample failure)
- Callback captured
Evaluator notes
Sample: placeholder notes for the after-hours emergency illustrating a fail on instruction-following. Sample content only. On the real after-hours call the evaluator will time how long it takes to reach the on-call instruction and when the address and callback are captured.
Call 6 of 10
Reschedule
Tests lookup and modification of an existing booking.
6/10
PassSample dataScenario script
Existing customer wants to move tomorrow's appointment to later in the week.
Frontdesk — Reschedule
Recording pendingNo recording has been attached yet. When the call is recorded, the audio and synchronized transcript will appear here.
Transcript
- Frontdesk
Northside Plumbing.
- Caller
Sam Okafor. Can I move tomorrow's visit to later in the week?
- Frontdesk
I see tomorrow at 9:00 AM. Thursday at 3:30 PM is open.
- Caller
Thursday.
- Frontdesk
Thursday at 3:30 PM it is.
Evaluator: Sample annotation: cancellation of the old slot not stated.
- Caller
Great, thanks.
- Frontdesk
You're welcome. See you Thursday.
Pass / fail criteria
- Identifies the existing appointment
- Offers alternatives
- Confirms the change without double-booking
Observations
- Sample: a passing run finds the existing booking.
- Sample: alternatives are offered.
- Sample: the deduction illustrates the original slot's cancellation not being confirmed.
Key moments
- Reschedule request
- Booking found
- New time set
Evaluator notes
Sample: placeholder notes for the modification scenario showing a marginal pass. Not a Frontdesk result. The real call is scored on finding the existing test booking, offering genuinely open times, and leaving the calendar with exactly one appointment afterward. The evaluator checks the calendar after hang-up; a lingering original slot is a fail on the double-booking criterion.
Call 7 of 10
Human Request
Tests escalation behavior.
4/10
FailSample dataScenario script
Caller says 'I want to talk to a real person' twice and refuses to continue with the AI.
Frontdesk — Human Request
Recording pendingNo recording has been attached yet. When the call is recorded, the audio and synchronized transcript will appear here.
Transcript
- Frontdesk
Northside Plumbing.
- Caller
Real person, please.
- Frontdesk
I'll see what I can do. What do you need help with today?
- Caller
I said a real person.
- Frontdesk
I can help with scheduling, questions, or messages. Which would you like?
Evaluator: Sample annotation: sample failure: loops back to options.
- Caller
None. A person.
- Frontdesk
I'll take a message.
Pass / fail criteria
- Acknowledges the request the first time
- Transfers or takes a message per configuration
- Does not loop or stall
Observations
- Sample: a failing run acknowledges the first request.
- Sample: the failure illustrated is neither transferring nor cleanly taking a message.
- Sample: the caller is looped back to the menu of options.
Key moments
- First request
- Second request
- Loop (sample failure)
Evaluator notes
Sample: placeholder notes for the escalation scenario illustrating a fail. This is what a 4 looks like in the layout; it is not a Frontdesk observation. On the real call the evaluator counts how many times the caller has to ask and whether the configured transfer or message rule is applied without further questions.
Call 8 of 10
Curveball
Tests behavior on questions nobody scripted.
5/10
FailSample dataScenario script
Caller asks an off-topic or unusual question, then a legitimate one.
Frontdesk — Curveball
Recording pendingNo recording has been attached yet. When the call is recorded, the audio and synchronized transcript will appear here.
Transcript
- Frontdesk
Northside Plumbing.
- Caller
Are you guys open on the holiday next Monday?
- Frontdesk
Yes, we're open regular hours.
Evaluator: Sample annotation: sample failure: holiday hours were never configured; this is a guess.
- Caller
Okay. My sink is clogged.
- Frontdesk
I can set up a visit, and I'll have the owner confirm the holiday question.
- Caller
Alex Rivera, 555-0142.
Pass / fail criteria
- Declines gracefully without hallucinating
- Returns to the caller's real need
- Offers a human follow-up when unsure
Observations
- Sample: a partial run answers the off-topic question with an unsupported claim.
- Sample: it returns to the real need.
- Sample: a human follow-up is offered.
Key moments
- Off-topic
- Unsupported answer (sample failure)
- Real request
Evaluator notes
Sample: placeholder notes for the unscripted-question scenario illustrating a fail on the hallucination criterion. Sample content only. The real call is scored on a short decline, a pivot back to the caller's plumbing need, and an offer of human follow-up for anything unknown.
Call 9 of 10
Bad Connection
Tests robustness to poor audio.
5/10
FailSample dataScenario script
Caller's audio is degraded and words drop out; caller mumbles a phone number.
Frontdesk — Bad Connection
Recording pendingNo recording has been attached yet. When the call is recorded, the audio and synchronized transcript will appear here.
Transcript
- Frontdesk
Northside Plumbing.
- Caller
My— [drops] —outside is leaking.
- Frontdesk
Sorry, say again?
Evaluator: Sample annotation: asks to repeat.
- Caller
The hose bib outside is leaking.
- Frontdesk
Number?
- Caller
Five five five oh one... [mumbled].
- Frontdesk
Thanks, we'll call you.
Evaluator: Sample annotation: sample failure: no read-back.
Pass / fail criteria
- Asks the caller to repeat when needed
- Reads back the phone number
- Does not guess unclear details
Observations
- Sample: a partial run asks for a repeat once.
- Sample: the failure illustrated is no number read-back.
- Sample: an unclear digit is accepted.
Key moments
- Dropout
- Number mumbled
- No read-back (sample failure)
Evaluator notes
Sample: placeholder notes for the degraded-audio scenario illustrating a fail on read-back. Not a Frontdesk result. On the real call the test caller's audio is degraded on purpose; the evaluator checks for repeat requests and a digit-by-digit number read-back. Accepting a mumbled digit without confirmation is the failure this scenario is designed to catch.
Call 10 of 10
Qualified Lead
Tests whether a valuable caller is recognized and routed.
6/10
PassSample dataScenario script
Caller describes a large, time-sensitive project and asks how quickly someone can come out.
Frontdesk — Qualified Lead
Recording pendingNo recording has been attached yet. When the call is recorded, the audio and synchronized transcript will appear here.
Transcript
- Frontdesk
Northside Plumbing.
- Caller
Full repipe on a house closing in three weeks. When can someone come look?
- Frontdesk
Let me get your details. Address?
- Caller
2200 Sample Avenue.
- Frontdesk
Name and number?
- Caller
Sam Okafor, 555-0177.
- Frontdesk
Got it. Someone will follow up to schedule a walkthrough.
Evaluator: Sample annotation: follow-up triggered, no priority flag in this sample.
Pass / fail criteria
- Captures scope, timing and contact details
- Flags the lead as high priority
- Triggers the right follow-up
Observations
- Sample: a passing run captures scope, timing and contact.
- Sample: the deduction illustrates no explicit priority flag.
- Sample: a follow-up is triggered.
Key moments
- Project described
- Details captured
- Follow-up
Evaluator notes
Sample: placeholder notes for the high-value-lead scenario showing a marginal pass. Sample content only. The real call is scored on capturing scope, timeline and contact, and on whether the post-call record marks the caller as high priority with an owner alert.
For the editorial review and ranking position of Frontdesk, see AI Receptionist Report.