toll free number marketing

Hello,
I am about to identify the remaining marketing tecniques and order supplies. I need to order bandit signs, cards, etc. and want to get a toll free number to list on the signs. I notice there are several different companies who offer 800 or 866 numbers that have voicemail systems attached. Can anyone reccomend one of the services that you have had a good experience with? They seem to have low initial cost and monthly fee, but maybe they really get you with the price per minute. Thanks for your help, Mike

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:31AM

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Jan 13 '08, 10:28 PM

I wrote this on another forum and being lazy I cut and pasted it here but I think it applies...

Dont buy an 800 number for the sake of buying one... Make certain that it is either a Vanity number or easy to remember number... I have several, the three best ones are 1-877-877-1010 1-877-UGLY-TOO and 1-888-EZ-AVOID... If I had a normal number say 1-866-0987-3575 I would be making the viewer remember 10 digits over 7 digits..

Also when you buy your number also try and buy your local area code... example I have 1-661-877-1010 also...

Good Luck

Michael Quarles

PS here is ATT lookup.. http://businessesales.att.com/products_services/tollfreeproduct_cataloglookup.jhtml

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:31AM

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Jan 13 '08, 10:57 PM

Thanks Michael,

All of what you said makes sense. Is there a certain cokpany that provides the toll free/voicemail packages that you would recommend?

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:31AM

Tom Wood

Residential Real Estate Broker · St. Louis, Missouri

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Jan 14 '08, 05:46 AM

I like and use ring central www.ringcentral.com They give you the ability to route incoming calls to multiple places and are very reasonably priced.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 04:31AM

Jason Hanson

Real Estate Coach · Oakton, Virginia

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May 02 '08, 10:47 PM

I use www.ringcentral.com and www.freedomvoice.com I have been pleased with both.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:08AM

Tim W.

Real Estate Investor · Indiana, Indiana

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May 03 '08, 02:45 AM

Originally posted by "Michael_Quarles"

Also when you buy your number also try and buy your local area code... example I have 1-661-877-1010 also...

I was about to post this when I saw that Mike had it. I agree 100%. I have had more success with local area codes than I ever did with a standard 800 number. Note: I didn't have vanity numbers so I can't speak to that.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:09AM

Joshua Dorkin

BiggerPockets Founder · Denver, Colorado

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May 05 '08, 01:53 AM

I like www.gotvmail.com

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:09AM

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Jason Hanson

Real Estate Coach · Oakton, Virginia

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May 12 '08, 01:51 AM

I agree with everyone that a local number seems to do a much better job. I have a local number on my bandit signs and only use my 800 number when mailing to out of state owners.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:11AM

Terry Royce

Real Estate Investor · Baltimore, Maryland

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May 19 '08, 06:50 AM

are these types of numbers effective also in " cloaking" your identity when using bandit signs?

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:13AM

Jason F

Real Estate Investor · Gainesville, FL

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May 19 '08, 07:20 AM

I agree with getting a 800 number, even if you don't have a vanity number. What if you send a letter to someone who doesn't want to pay long distance? That could be the difference between them calling you and someone else. Why would you take that chance on such an inexpensive tool.

I have one through ringcentral as well. When I signed up a couple of years ago it was pretty basic, now there is a lot of added features.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:13AM

Greg Willson

· Ormond Beach, Alabama

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May 23 '08, 05:54 PM

1-877-InfoLine is who we use... reasonably priced, easy to remember.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:14AM

Eric Badgley

Real Estate Consultant · Bellingham , WA

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Jun 01 '08, 09:34 AM

The best one that I know off is www.ringcentral.com check it out. You get a toll free fax, phone line, extensions all for one price. Cost about as much as my fax.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:16AM

Terry Royce

Real Estate Investor · Baltimore, Maryland

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Jul 10 '08, 07:44 AM

There were no " vanity" local numbers available that I could reserve.

There is a number 888-***-BUYZ that I want to reserve the stars spell out my business initials. I feel that the Z on the end of BUY sends an unprofessional image. Does anyone else have any input on this?

Its the only 800 number I could get that is all Letters that makes sense.

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:29AM

Jim Sharp

Real Estate Investor · Colorado Springs, Colorado

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Jul 11 '08, 11:02 AM

I love Gotvmail.com.

Check them out... I've got the reasons I chose them over the over companies I've had. Do a search on my personal website for gotvmail. I wrote an article.

Good luck

Edited: 06/26/2010 at 05:30AM