1. A system, the system comprising: a first logic unit to provide a list of service providers to a user, indicating the availability of that provider; a second logic unit to receive the user's selection of a service provider; a third logic unit to attempt to establish a real-time communications connection between the user and a selected service provider; and a fourth logic unit to search a database of service providers for an alternate service provider based on a pre-established set of criteria and to offer the user an option of connecting with an alternate service provider.