Business phone system for used merchandise stores in Maine

The used merchandise store industry in Maine

Maine had 151 used merchandise stores in 2023, according to Census County Business Patterns (NAICS 453310, Used Merchandise Stores). They employed 995 people in mid-March and reported $23.4 million in annual payroll. That is the 35th highest count among the 51 states and DC with published figures. Used merchandise stores make up 0.35% of the 43,345 business establishments in the state.

Per 100,000 residents (2024 estimate) Maine has 10.7 used merchandise stores, 87.8% above the national rate of 5.7. The average establishment has 6.6 employees against 11.4 nationally. Payroll per employee is $23,505, 4.2% below the U.S. figure of $24,523.

Used merchandise stores by metro area in Maine

Census published used merchandise store counts for 4 metro or micropolitan areas that include part of Maine. The largest is Portland, ME, with 73 establishments. Single-state metro and micropolitan areas account for 68% of the statewide total; the rest are outside any published area or in areas Census suppressed.

Team sizes at used merchandise stores in Maine

66.2% of Maine's used merchandise stores with employees had fewer than five people in March 2023, compared with 43.2% nationally. 82.8% had fewer than ten. At that size the phone is shared, so routing (who rings, when, and what happens after hours) matters more than the number of desk phones.

Calls a used merchandise store in Maine 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 Maine as much as anywhere.

A few of the calls that come in to used merchandise stores in Maine:

• The store calls a consignor about payout.
• A customer calls about donation drop-off hours.
• A customer calls about pickup service.

Business texting for used merchandise stores

Stores text consignor updates.

Texting from a local number in Maine requires carrier registration (10DLC), a one-time $49 fee on Callata.

What a phone system costs a used merchandise store in Maine

Used merchandise stores in Maine average 6.6 employees, so the comparison uses a 7-person team. On a per-user plan that headcount sets the bill: $174.65 a month on Ooma Office Pro or $210.00 on RingCentral RingEX Core at list price (checked September 28, 2026). Callata comes to $139.00 a month for 7 users ($99 a month with 5 users included, then $20 per additional user), below both.

Over a year, that is $852 less than RingCentral for a used merchandise store in Maine of that size. Annual contracts lower some competitors' prices, so compare the plan you would actually sign.

Area codes in Maine

Maine has 1 geographic area code in service according to NANPA. Callata includes up to 3 local numbers, so a used merchandise store can hold a number in more than one of them.

How Callata works for used merchandise stores in Maine

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 Maine 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.