Have you wondered why companies can have 800 numbers and you can’t? Well, now, you can! Today, there are many services that provide 800 numbers for the common folk—not just big business firms. These firms use these numbers because they are toll free, meaning that a customer won’t have to pay a per-minute fee.
Why would you want your own toll free number? Well, a person may want a toll free number if they have a small business and need to stay in contact with business partners or clientele. Customers will call more often if there is no charge to them. You may also want to stay in contact with out of state relatives.
Before you consider getting personal 800 numbers, you should know a few things about the process. The toll free number codes consist of numbers beginning with 800, 866, 877, and 888. In most cases, you cannot choose the actual number that you want. The number will be designated by the service.
Many services implore you to apply for a toll free number on its website. If you indeed apply online, the new number could take effect immediately. Of course, if you apply in person, it may take a few days.
Some services don’t even bill you a standard monthly fee, they only charge you for the calls that you receive, which may only be a few cents a minute. One drawback of using 800 numbers or toll free numbers is the fact that it will cost significantly higher to place phone calls on a payphone than from a regular phone. So, be sure to tell everyone to call from a regular phone instead. Another downside is the fact that fees for setting up the number may be expensive. You should also be sure that this is exactly what you want since many services will not refund these set-up fees.
If you decide to use an 800 number, you won’t have to get a new phone line for your new number. You can simply have the number routed to your existing phone line. This will save you lots of money and hassle. You can also get more than one 800 number because if you are indeed starting a business, you may want more than one phone number at your disposal.
The services will usually provide an online billing option, which will allow you to see how much each call costs. If you are unhappy with the terms, some services will allow you to end your contract without trouble. But, if you try to switch to another toll free service, you may be charged a fee.
In order to find these services, begin your search on the web. Once you’ve found attractive offers, rummage through the website. Make a B-line for its “FAQ” web page. If the offer seems plausible, hold onto that website. Before you sign up, ask other people who have signed up for similar services about where they got their toll free number.
Finding the right service takes patience, but once your company is doing big business, you’ll be glad that you took the time to do some research.
By Michelle Presbury