The Advisor

800/888 TELEPHONE NUMBERS -
EVERYTHING YOU ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW
by NetSavings

WHAT IS AN 800 NUMBER? 888 NUMBER?
800 and 888 numbers are numbers that can be dialed by anyone and the recipient pays for the call. This is referred to as "toll free," because they are free to the user and the owner of the number must pay for the minute's used and any monthly recurring fees.

WHAT IS AN 888 NUMBER AND IS IT INTERCHANGEABLE WITH 800 NUMBERS?
Note that many 800 numbers are gone, so that 888 (also toll free) numbers were added. It is estimated that as many as 99.5% of the 800 numbers are taken. The 888 is the new toll free prefix, opened on March 1, 1996 which will be used in conjunction with the 800 toll free prefix. 888/800 are not necessarily interchangeable. Unless a business reserves both the 800 and 888 equivalent of their toll free number, calling an 888 number will functionally work the same, but will not necessarily connect you with the same party as the equivalent 800 number; i.e., 1-800-LANDSCAPE and 1-888-LANDSCAPE can reach two different companies.

I AM A BUSINESS, HOW CAN I BENEFIT FROM AN 800/888 NUMBER?

• It is easier and more cost effective than looking for change or using a calling card, when you have to call the office (or to call home).
• You can have an 800/888 number ring in the East Coast office in the morning and the west coast office in the afternoon.
• Businesses will frequently put an 800/888 number on a fax line, so sales representatives can place orders from the field, saving money for your company. · An 800/888 is a cost-effective way for your workers in the field can call in without using a cell phone or a calling card, saving money for your company.
•  We have an option where the person calling your 800 number can be "recognized" and forwarded without human intervention. An example of this is for a multi-location bank. If some calls the 800 number from the South side of town, they will be routed to the bank nearest the caller. Or if a person is calling to place an order from California, the 800 call will be routed to the Los Angeles office, and not to the Chicago office, to minimize shipping costs.
• Many people are aware of how an 800/888 number can be used to increase business orders; increasing revenue for your company.
• You can run different ads on the Internet, newspapers, etc., each with a different 800 number and see which add draws the most.
• You can create an 800 number to ring to your ISP so you can dial a toll free number from the road.

I AM A RESIDENTIAL USER, HOW CAN I BENEFIT FROM AN 800/888 NUMBER?

• You can have an 800/888 number so your college student can call home. It is more cost effective than the dorm long distance carrier, and your child can call you from anywhere.
• You can call your spouse and tell them you are running late, or ask, "Honey, I stopped at the grocery store, do you need anything else?" If you talk for 30 or 60 seconds it costs 6-12 cents-a pretty good deal!! Try finding a pay phone or cell phone that is this inexpensive. In fact, even at 11.9 CPM, it is less expensive than most normal "outbound calls."
• When you are on vacation, or just away from your home, you can call your 800/888 number to access your answering machine or your voice mail. · If you are just starting a home based business, it may help you appear larger and more established than you are.
• It is easier and more cost effective than looking for change or using a calling card, when you have to call home.
• I placed an 800 number on our home phone so that our second grader could call us at anytime, from anywhere (school, grandma's for now; the mall, or a dorm room for later). I wrote the number in indelible ink in her backpack so she would have it available at all times.
• You can run different ads on the Internet, each with a different 800 number and see which add draws the most.
• You can create an 800 number to ring to your ISP so you can dial a toll free number from the road.
• As an added bonus, even your mother-in-law can call you on your 800/888 number.

WHAT IS THE PROBABILITY THAT I WILL GET AN 800 NUMBER?
If you are ordering a new toll free number, there is a low probability that you will receive an 800 number and a high probability that you will receive an 888 number. Toll-free numbers have become such indispensable business tools that the Industry Numbering Committee predicts all 7.6 million 800 numbers were likely assigned or in use by the spring of 1996, so 888 numbers were created.

Another interesting occurrence is that those with 800 numbers are requesting the same 888 number; i.e., 1-800-Flowers getting 1-888-Flowers. So many of the 888 numbers are already reserved or taken.

WHY YOU DON'T WANT A TRUE "800" NUMBER?
I have had many people tell me they will only accept a toll free number that is 800, not 888. Frequently, about one-two months later, I receive a call saying they want an 888 number now. Why? 800 numbers have been around for a while, and if you receive one, chances are the Frank's Transmission had it first, then Bugs B Gone, then Vinnie's Pizza, and now you. If you receive an 800 number, it is highly probable that you will receive calls from people, which you will pay for, that still think they are calling Frank's Transmission.

WHAT OTHER INFORMATION DO I NEED TO KNOW?
You should ask the following questions:

• Are there any term contracts required? Most of our carriers do not require a term.
• Are there any recurring monthly fees for customers? Many carriers charge $5-20 to maintain your 800/888 numbers. Some carriers are FREE of this charge.
• What are the minimum second increments? Some carriers still charge in 60-second increments, you should seek carriers with six second increments.

I AM UNDER CONTRACT WITH MY LONG DISTANCE CARRIER, DO I HAVE TO USE THEM FOR MY 800/888 SERVICE?
No. A carrier may offer great outbound rates and awful inbound rates. Many companies split out their outbound and inbound 800/888 service due to these pricing differences. The savings can be substantial.

WHAT IS A VANITY 800/888 NUMBER?
 A vanity number is a number which, when used in conjunction with the letters on the touch tone key pad, spell a word or phrase. The phrase can be anything from your name to the name of your business (1-800-NETSAVINGS). It can describe your business in general or as specifically as you would like. It can inform your customers of your service or product (1-800-FREE 800). It could be a well-known term, a cliché or a popular saying (I-800-JUST DO IT). It could be a name of a city, state, or country (1-800-SAN DIEGO). It could be an easy to remember number for your child-student (1-800-I LOVE YOU).

HOW DO I GET A VANITY NUMBER?
A helpful suggestion if you don't currently have an 800/888 service and want a vanity (custom) number: Call the 800 or 888 number before you request it. See if it is in use. Many carriers charge a "search or retention" fee to check for 800/888 numbers. Some even apply the fee if the number you request is not available. These fees typically range from $5-50 per 800/888 number. Find a company that does not charge a search fee.

HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO GET YOUR 800 NUMBER UP AND RUNNING?
 If you have an existing 800 number it typically takes 5-10 business days to switch service to a new carrier. If you are requesting a new 800 number, add a couple of days to this.

WHY DO 800/888 COST PER MINUTES RATES VARY BY STATE?
Carriers file rates with each state for instate calling. These rates vary widely: for instance in Maine I have seen plans from 14.3 CPM to 42.0 CPM. In California, rates vary from 5.5 CPM to 19.9 CPM. (Shop around!!) This is a very important factor in controlling your costs. You may need an 800 number for a specific state, say Florida. The 800/888 interstate rate may be 10.9 CPM, but the instate rate could be 20.0 CPM. Be sure to investigate both the interstate and intrastate rates before accepting a carrier. In some states, such as California, carriers may offer even lower rates for LATA (calls from within your area code) calls. This can be a significant expense for a company with a very local 800/888 number such as a real estate company or restaurant.

SOME COMPANIES CAN PROVIDE A "FREE" 800/888 NUMBER. WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY "FREE" 800/888 NUMBER?
Almost all of the major carriers charge a monthly recurring fee for "managing and maintaining" your 800 number. The fee varies between $5 and $20 per month, per line. A few companies offer 800 numbers FREE of any monthly fee or start-up fees. You will still incur a per minute charge, but only when you use it.

ARE THERE ANY MONTHLY CHARGES AT ALL FOR YOUR "FREE" 800/888 NUMBER?
No, unless you want a listing in the national 800 directory. This runs typically $20 per month. The general rule of thumb, only list if you expect people to call and get your number. Don't list fax machines, secondary 800 numbers or home 800 numbers, it is not worth the $20. Even large companies like Coca-Cola don't list all their 800 numbers in the directory. They list the main number and give out the fax, service, etc., number on a case by case basis.

DO I NEED A SEPARATE (EXTRA) LINE FOR AN 800/888 NUMBER?
No, the 800/888 number "rings to" any existing number you have, whether your home number, the fax at work, etc. Think about which line in your office you are going to have it "ring to." If you have multiple 800 numbers you can have them all ring to the same "ring to" number or to specific line to track response.

I AM READY TO GET AN 800/888 NUMBER, WHAT DO I DO?
For the vast majority of users, a vanity number is not required, but if you need one, be sure to determine if you will incur a search fee. Also, think about which line in your office you are going to have it "ring to." If you have multiple 800/888 numbers you can have them all ring to the same "ring to" number or to specific line to track response.

(For a variety of telephone services including long distance plans, free 800 numbers, free calling cards, international calling plans, callback services and dedicated rates contact NetSavings at 888-565-1005 or mailto:NetSavings@net-savings.net or visit their website at http://www.Net-Savings.net.)

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