Handoff from bot to seller on WhatsApp

A buyer asks for your till number. Timi quotes price perfectly — then sends another catalog paragraph while they are ready to pay. Momentum dies. The best handoffs happen in the same thread, same tone, with context already captured. The buyer never notices a "system switch" — just that a human picked up when it mattered.

For which buyers deserve handoff, see how to spot serious buyers — this guide covers how to join without friction. Pillar overview: qualify leads on WhatsApp.

Default: Timi handles the opening

Let Timi answer repeat noise:

• Price, size, colour, stock
• Delivery areas and fees
• Opening hours and payment methods
• "Still available?" after drops

This clears low-intent threads before your phone buzzes. You focus on threads moving toward payment.

Trigger handoff when

• Payment next — till, Paystack, paybill: Money on the line; accuracy matters
• Custom work — engraving, bespoke dimensions, catering for 200: Automation cannot commit
• Trust moments — refund, complaint, high-ticket: Needs empathy and authority
• Negotiation — bulk discount, trade-in, B2B quote: Relationship and margin call
• Deposit language — "nataka kulipa deposit leo": Close window is short

Timi can notify you on these signals or pause automatically — configure in Settings based on your vertical.

How to join without confusing the buyer

Weak handoff:

"Hello, this is the shop owner. How can I help?" (Buyer repeats everything.)

Strong handoff:

"Saw you need delivery to Karen today — total is KES 5,200 including assembly. Sending Paystack link now."

Buyer cares that you have their context, not which tool replied first.

Step-by-step: pause Timi on one chat

1. Open Feed → select the conversation
2. Click Pause Timi on that thread
3. Reply manually until sale closes or issue resolves
4. Re-enable Timi on that chat — or leave manual for VIP repeat buyers

Other chats keep auto-reply running. One negotiation does not stop the whole shop.

Sample handoff messages by vertical

Fashion (payment ready):

"Got it — 2× size M black, KES 7,000 + KES 200 delivery South B. Till 123456, name BOUTIQUE. Send screenshot when done."

Food (pin + payment):

"2 plates chicken rice to Westlands pin — total KES 1,100. Pay till 654321, kitchen starts when payment confirms."

Furniture (deposit):

"L-shape Oslo in grey — deposit KES 25,000 today, balance on delivery. Fabric sample in thread above. Confirm to lock slot."

Auto parts (pickup today):

"Brake pads for Fielder 2015 in stock — KES 4,500. Pickup Industrial Area till 5pm. Reply when you are 20 min away."

Adapt tone to your shop — keep facts from thread, not generic scripts.

Configure triggers in Settings

Common handoff triggers to enable:

• Keywords: till, paybill, Paystack, deposit, complaint
• Purchase intent flags from Feed
• Ticket size threshold (e.g. hand off quotes over KES 50,000)

Review weekly — too early wastes your time; too late loses sales.

Example: auto parts in Industrial Area

Buyer asks if brake pads fit Toyota Fielder 2015. Timi confirms SKU and price. Buyer asks "can I pick up now?" — handoff to you to confirm shelf stock and send location pin. Timi never guesses physical inventory you have not pasted in context.

Example: furniture deposit

Timi quoted range and lead time. Buyer sends wall photo + "deposit leo?" — handoff immediately for deposit terms and fabric choice. Automation kept you in comparison set; human closes KES 80k sale.

Team of two: who owns handoff

If two people monitor Feed, agree rules: seller A owns payment handoffs, seller B owns complaints — or use simple "whoever sees flag first" with Feed notes so buyers never get double replies.

Common mistakes

• Timi keeps catalog spamming after buyer asked till number
• Manager announcement instead of contextual continuation
• Never handing off on custom orders — buyer loses trust
• Handing off every hi — you burn out; use intent signals
• Forgetting to re-enable or leave paused — confused double replies next day

FAQ

Will buyers know Timi replied first? Most notice fast, clear answers. Handoff feels like same shop.

Can I hand back to Timi after I close? Yes — re-enable auto-reply on that chat.

What if Timi hands off too early? Adjust triggers; improve catalog completeness first.

VIP regulars? Leave Timi paused permanently on their thread if personal touch matters.

Complaints? Pause Timi immediately — empathy beats automation.

Team of two sellers? Agree who owns handoff chats in Feed notes — avoid both replying.