[Doug Holloway]

Hi Guys

I notice from adding details to websites that quite a few CC's use 0800 numbers.

How do you find them, do they encourage price shoppers/time wasters ?

I currently have 2 ghost numbers and am not sure whether to increase this or go 0800.

Cheers

Doug

[Doctor Carpet (Ret'd)]

Doug

My Altrincham number has paid huge dividends although it is a ghost number.

Personally I think people prefer to look for a geographic local number (less far for the cleaner to come, therefore lower price; nearer if there is a problem and return visit required; etc etc)

IN thier heart of hearts I'm sure most people realise that they will ultimately be paying for the fact that they have phoned an 0800 number.

Roger

[richy27]

i think a lot depends on your geographical location . in a big city i think an 0800 num  is a good idea where for example my area where we have a high proportion of the older generation there still is a big emphasis on staying local so this is where local area numbers come in.

depends on your target audience i think

[Ian Gourlay]

I purchased one last year for out of area advertising

Complete waste of time

[Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus)]

Got a job last week about 10 miles outside my area, the client specifically told me that after doing an internet search - mine was the only area code she came across, all the rest were 0800 numbers and a lot of them were based in North London, so they were obviously subbing the work.


Steve

[Mike Halliday]

I have a 0800 number, when I used it I always added 2 sentences

1) because we care we pay for you call

2) your local carpet cleaner 25 ings lane Dunswell

these 2 sentences  overcame any problems associated with 0800 numbers.

[Shaun_Ashmore]

Mike is right you have to make it work, you can't beat local numbers but if a customer is going to look for a local number they will look for the std and the first 2 numbers of the local number.

Shaun

[Ian Gourlay]

I tried Free Credit Crunch Number

Just noticed its the only number I have on my Web site

Will have to think about that.

[Michel Roberts]

Hi, everyone (WB Doug)

Just to re introduce myself, so you know who I am as I have not posted much on any of these forums for some time now though I did used to a lot at one time.

I am a carpet fitter based in West London, been fitting since '73 a founder member of the NICF  and I do maybe one CC job a fortnight.


Shaun

I think your point about the first two digits after the area code is a very good one and I remember you making it before when this issue came up

How do you find out what areas the first two numbers after the area code cover. When I go to somewhere like magic numbers or one of the other std number re-sellers it is easy to look on the list and find the area code for say Guilford, but this code covers quite a large area with smaller towns within it. but I can find no way of seeing how to relate the first two numbers after the area code to the towns within that area.

I have had a freephone number for about 20 years now but I am thinking about going over to std numbers.

Freephone telephone numbers can now be a positive disadvantage as many people use their mobiles with included minutes to call people like us. From a mobile on most contracts or payg you will get a recorded message saying something like ' this is a premium rate call' or some thing like that.

Anyone thinking of getting a freephone number should first try calling someone else from their own mobile

Cheers Michel

[Mike Halliday]

if a vodaphone mobile calls an 0800 number  they will get this message....

"please note this call will be charged at your standard network rate, please hang up if you do not wish to continue"

[Gordonnis]

Got a phone call today offering an 0800 number for life 17and a half hours per month with free call divert to 2 mobiles for a one of fee ov £175   is there a catch!!!!!!!!!!!!