CallataGuidesBusiness phone system for used merchandise stores in Columbus, OH
Used merchandise stores in the Columbus, OH metro area: 137 establishments in 2023, the local area codes, and what phone service costs a 16-person team.
- Establishments
- 137CBP 2023
- Employees
- 2,181mid-March 2023
- Per 100k residents
- 6.2U.S. 5.7
- Rank
- 28th of 720areas by count
How many used merchandise stores are in Columbus, OH?
There were 137 used merchandise stores in the Columbus, OH metro area in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 453310, Used Merchandise Stores). They employed 2,181 people in mid-March and paid $43.7 million in annual payroll. By establishment count the area is 28th out of 720 areas with published figures for used merchandise stores.
Measured against its 2.2 million residents (2024 estimate), the area has 6.2 used merchandise stores per 100,000 people; the U.S. rate is 5.7, so Columbus, OH is 7.6% above the national figure. The average establishment here has 15.9 employees, compared with 11.4 nationally. Payroll per employee comes to $20,050, 18.2% below the national $24,523.
| Measure | Columbus, OH | Ohio | United States |
|---|---|---|---|
| Establishments | 137 | 737 | 19,466 |
| Mid-March employees | 2,181 | 10,252 | 222,478 |
| Annual payroll | $43,729,000 | $210,750,000 | $5,455,824,000 |
| Employees per establishment | 15.9 | 13.9 | 11.4 |
| Payroll per employee | $20,050 | $20,557 | $24,523 |
| Establishments per 100,000 residents | 6.2 | 6.2 | 5.7 |
Census County Business Patterns 2023 (mid-March employment; annual payroll). Employees and payroll flagged high-noise are shown but not used in the text. Residents: Census Vintage 2024 estimates.
Team sizes at used merchandise stores in Columbus, OH
Of the used merchandise stores in Columbus, OH that had employees in March 2023, 25.0% had fewer than five (the U.S. share is 43.2%). 45.6% had fewer than ten. Small teams usually share the phone: the person who answers is often also serving a customer or doing the job, which is when calls get missed.
| Employment size | Establishments | Share | U.S. share |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–4 employees | 34 | 25.0% | 43.2% |
| 5–9 employees | 28 | 20.6% | 21.8% |
| 10–19 employees | 33 | 24.3% | 17.1% |
| 20–49 employees | 35 | 25.7% | 14.3% |
| 50 or more employees | 6 | 4.4% | 3.6% |
Employment-size classes count establishments by mid-March 2023 employment. Establishments with no March employees are excluded from the size classes, so shares are of establishments with employees. Source: Census County Business Patterns 2023.
Calls a used merchandise store in Columbus, OH has to catch
Thrift, consignment and resale stores take calls about donations, consignment terms and stock. Consignors call to check on their items. That holds for used merchandise stores in Columbus, OH as much as anywhere.
A few of the calls that come in to used merchandise stores in Columbus, OH:
- A customer calls about a piece of furniture.
- The store calls a consignor about payout.
- A consignor calls to check on sales.
Business texting for used merchandise stores
Stores text consignor updates.
Texts sent from a local business number in Columbus, OH have to be registered with carriers first (10DLC); on Callata that is a one-time $49 fee, after which the whole team can text from the shared number.
Callata vs. per-seat pricing for used merchandise stores in Columbus, OH
The average used merchandise store in Columbus, OH has 15.9 employees, so a 16-person team is a reasonable benchmark. Priced per seat, 16 users would run $480.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $399.20 on Ooma Office Pro (month-to-month list prices, checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $319.00 a month for 16 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.
Over a year, that is $1,932 less than RingCentral for a used merchandise store in Columbus, OH of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.
| Provider (plan) | Pricing basis | Per month | Per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callata (Callata Office) | $99 incl. 5 users, $20 per extra user | $319.00 | $3,828.00 |
| Quo (Starter) | $19.00 per user | $304.00 | $3,648.00 |
| Nextiva (Core) | $23.00 per user | $368.00 | $4,416.00 |
| Ooma (Office Pro) | $24.95 per user | $399.20 | $4,790.40 |
| Dialpad (Standard) | $27.00 per user | $432.00 | $5,184.00 |
| RingCentral (RingEX Core) | $30.00 per user | $480.00 | $5,760.00 |
Competitor prices are each vendor's published month-to-month list price per user for its lowest plan that includes business calling and texting, checked September 28, 2026: Quo Starter $19, Nextiva Core $23, Ooma Office Pro $24.95 (Essentials excludes texting; one-time $29.95 activation not included), Dialpad Standard $27, RingCentral RingEX Core $30 ($20 billed annually). Prices exclude taxes and fees and may change; annual contracts lower some competitors' prices.
Getting a local number in Columbus, OH
NANPA records place the exchanges of the area's named cities and towns in 8 area codes. 614 has the most, with 707 of 1,164 exchanges (61%). A local number lets customers in Columbus, OH call without dialing out of area. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, and which numbers are open in an area code depends on carrier inventory when you choose.
| Area code | Exchanges | Time zone | In service since | Overlay with |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 614 | 707 | Eastern | 1947 | 380 |
| 740 | 223 | Eastern | 1997 | 220 |
| 380 | 128 | Eastern | 2016 | 614 |
| 220 | 42 | Eastern | 2015 | 740 |
| 937 | 31 | Eastern | 1996 | 326 |
| 567 | 13 | Eastern | 2002 | 419 |
| 419 | 12 | Eastern | 1947 | 567 |
| 330 | 8 | Eastern | 1996 | 234 |
Exchanges are NANPA-assigned central office codes (NPA-NXX) in the rate centers matched to the area's named places. Source: NANPA utilized code and NPA reports.
What used merchandise stores in Columbus, OH get with Callata
Callata is a business phone system priced at $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user. Callata Office includes up to 3 local business numbers, unlimited inbound calling, 1,500 pooled outbound US and Canada minutes per user each month, a browser softphone that can also ring your cell, voicemail with transcription, call recording with AI summaries, business-hours routing and E911 on every number.
Porting a number you already use in Columbus, OH is free, and business texting is available once the carrier registration (10DLC) is approved; the registration carries a one-time $49 fee. Which specific numbers are open in a given area code depends on carrier inventory at the time you sign up.
AI agents are optional: an AI receptionist or scheduler can pick up when the team is busy or closed, take a message, send a text or email, or transfer the call. They draw on prepaid AI minutes ($0.25/minute), disclose that they are AI, and outbound AI calls require prior consent and are limited to 8am–9pm.
Frequently asked questions
How many used merchandise stores are there in Columbus, OH?
Census County Business Patterns counted 137 used merchandise stores in the Columbus, OH metro area in 2023. They employed 2,181 people in mid-March.
What does a business phone system cost for a 16-person used merchandise store?
At month-to-month list prices checked September 28, 2026, 16 users cost $480.00 a month on RingCentral RingEX Core and $399.20 on Ooma Office Pro. On Callata, $99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user, the same team pays $319.00.
What area code should a used merchandise store in Columbus, OH use?
Area code 614 has the most assigned exchanges among the area's named places, followed by 740 and 380. If you already have a local number, you can port it to Callata for free.
Can an AI receptionist answer calls for a used merchandise store?
Yes. Callata's optional AI agents can answer when the team is busy or closed, take a message, text, email or transfer the call. They disclose that they are AI and are billed from prepaid AI minutes at $0.25 per minute.