// ai receptionist · retail shop
AI receptionist for your retail shop
Callers to a retail shop ring about stock enquiries, reserving to collect and ordering in. LineHQ's AI receptionist answers in your name within a couple of seconds, asks the questions you would ask, takes the name and number, and passes on a message a person can act on. It never quotes a price you have not given it, and a real emergency gets the right advice, not a sales pitch.
// the short answer
The AI receptionist is included on the Reception plan: 60 minutes included, about 30 answered calls, then prepaid minute bundles or 15p a minute. Pick the Retail shop starter pack on the Knowledge page and it knows your trade's questions before you have typed a word.
Last reviewed October 2026
Stock enquiries
Checking whether we have an item, a size or a colour. A person checks the shelf and rings back; nothing is promised on this call.
Reserving to collect
Putting an item aside to collect from the shop. A person confirms it is held and for how long.
Ordering in
Asking us to order something we do not have on the shelf. A person will say whether it can be ordered and when it would arrive.
Returns and exchanges
Bringing something back, with or without a receipt. The shop will explain what is possible.
// what it asks
The questions a retail shop would ask, asked for you
The starter pack gives the receptionist your trade's triage questions and the signs that a call is urgent. An urgent call gets the caller's name and number first and a promise that a person will ring back straight away.
They are asking whether something is in stock
It asks, one at a time: "What exactly is it, including the brand, size or colour if that matters?" "What is your name and the best number to reach you on?" "If we have it, would you like it put aside to collect?"
They want to reserve or order something
It asks, one at a time: "What is the item, and how many would you like?" "When could you collect it?" "What is your name and the best number to reach you on?"
They want to return or exchange something
It asks, one at a time: "What is the item, and roughly when did you buy it?" "Do you have the receipt, or did you pay by card?" "Is it faulty, or is it a change of mind?"
They are a supplier or sales caller
It asks, one at a time: "Which company are you from, and what is it about?" "What is the best number or email for the owner to get back to you?"
Frequently asked questions
A caller asks: "Do you have this in stock?"
The receptionist says: "A person will check the shelf and ring you back. Tell me exactly what you are after, including the size or colour, and the best number to reach you on."
A caller asks: "Can you put one aside for me?"
The receptionist says: "A person will check we have it and let you know it is held. Tell me what it is, your name and when you could collect."
A caller asks: "Can you order it in for me?"
The receptionist says: "Possibly. Tell me what it is and a person will say whether it can be ordered and roughly when it would arrive."
A caller asks: "Can I return something without a receipt?"
The receptionist says: "The shop will explain what is possible. Tell me what it is, roughly when you bought it and whether you paid by card."
A caller asks: "Do you deliver?"
The receptionist says: "A person will confirm whether delivery or posting is available for what you want. Tell me your postcode and what it is."
A caller asks: "Is there parking nearby?"
The receptionist says: "If the shop has told me about parking I will pass it on; otherwise a person will tell you the best place to park."
A caller asks: "Can I pay over the phone?"
The receptionist says: "Not on this call, I am sorry. A person will ring you back to arrange payment if the shop takes it that way."
A caller asks: "Do you sell gift vouchers?"
The receptionist says: "The shop will explain how to buy one and where it can be used. Leave your details and someone will ring you back."
What will it never do for a retail shop?
It never handles confirming an item is in stock on this call, taking a payment over the phone, reserving or ordering an item on this call and advice on which product to choose. Anything it cannot answer becomes a message with the caller's name and number.
How much does the AI receptionist cost?
It is included on the Reception plan: 60 minutes included, about 30 answered calls. After that you can buy a prepaid bundle of minutes or pay 15p a minute from calling credit. Scale includes 200 minutes, about 100 answered calls.
Ready when you are
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