OT - Why do companies still have 800 Numbers?

djm

With long distance being free in this day and age why do compainies still have 800 numbers? It I call PCGS on their 800 number it cost me nothing but PCGS has to pay for the call. If I call PCGS on their 949 number I pay nothing for the call and PCGS pays nothing for the call. Just seems strange in these economic times companies would pay for something that is free.

ctf_error_coins

A very small expense for big companies.

Good marketing as well, hey you can call for free ..........

A company like PCGS has many older customers who have set mindsets ......

OPA

<< <i>With long distance being free in this day and age why do compainies still have 800 numbers? It I call PCGS on their 800 number it cost me nothing but PCGS has to pay for the call. If I call PCGS on their 949 number I pay nothing for the call and PCGS pays nothing for the call. Just seems strange in these economic times companies would pay for something that is free. >>



You'd be surprised as to how many consumers do not have unlimited long distance calling capabilities. Heck, even some of our Seniors, still use rotary phones.
Toll free numbers will be around for some time to come, along with CASH.

ianrussell

It's fairly cheap to have a 800 number. We have one because we do have some clients who don't have unlimited plans.

- Ian

guitarwes

<< <i>With long distance being free in this day and age.......Just seems strange in these economic times companies would pay for something that is free. >>



Free everywhere? Where is this? It's not free with our phone carriers and cell phones don't have good reception out here in the country.

LindeDad

<< <i>

<< <i>With long distance being free in this day and age.......Just seems strange in these economic times companies would pay for something that is free. >>



Free everywhere? Where is this? It's not free with our phone carriers and cell phones don't have good reception out here in the country. >>



In fact I'm far enough out that the DSL is slow as can be.

AUandAG

I have no way of making a long distance call unless it's a free 800 or such. My carrier charges 40 cents
a minute for long distance out of state and more for in state. I won't pay it, period.

I do not have a cell with free long distance. (I don't have a cell, period). So, that option is out too.

I like the 800 numbers!

Oh, yes, I'm a senior but DO NOT HAVE A ROTARY PHONE, I upgraded last year!

bob

SaorAlba

I am not a senior, and I do miss the rotary phone we had in our old house. Kid's couldn't figure out how to use it, and when the power went out it was the only phone that worked - it also has outlasted every phone made since it was made in the 1930's.

CoinRaritiesOnline

It's a memorable # and it is on every past invoice and price sticker we've sold over the last decade or more.

COALPORTER

I was really depressed when they quietly killed the P-O-P-C-O-R-N number !

RevDrBlimber

It's a lot easier to remember some 800 numbers than look up their local number. Payphones used to be an economical option for those having to pay for every long distance call, but those have been taken out at greater rates. Any one can get a basic cellphone at Walmart, etc., and pay $30 a month for 1000 minutes of service; not the best but cheap. With the increases in interactive and technologies riding on various complementary networks the prices continue to come down.

Elcontador

A lot depends on your plan re long distance charges. It costs me 5 cents a minute on the regular phone, I get 550 minutes free monthly on my cell. We have three phones in the house. I kept the rotary phone which was here when I bought the place. It still works.

Timbuk3

I still use it !!!

notwilight

I can't remember the last time I paid for long distance. My guess is that nobody should be paying any more but some people haven't realized that they need to change. --Jerry

ScarsdaleCoin

Its marketing.... as Bill Gates said.... until the computer is as easy to connect as the phone the phone will be the 1st choice for consumers!

RedTiger

<< <i>I can't remember the last time I paid for long distance. My guess is that nobody should be paying any more but some people haven't realized that they need to change. --Jerry >>



Maybe I am dense, but I don't understand the above. Are you using a cell plan? Then you are paying, there is a minimum you pay every month, and the long distance calls aren't itemized, but you are paying. Are you using Internet phone? Then you are paying for the Internet connection, and the phone ability is a bonus, but it is not free. Internet costs $20 on up a month, same with most cell plans with unlimited long distance, with most paying $30 on up. Many with data plans on smart phones are paying more like $70 a month. That's might seem a lot to pay for someone that might make one or two toll calls a month, and not free the way I would use the word. Sure, if someone is sure to use their phone a lot, then the additional call(s) may semantically be "free" in some sense, but not the way I would use the word. If someone is using a company phone or using someone else's Internet, that could be called free, perhaps.

RYK

<< <i>

<< <i>I can't remember the last time I paid for long distance. My guess is that nobody should be paying any more but some people haven't realized that they need to change. --Jerry >>



Maybe I am dense, but I don't understand the above. Are you using a cell plan? Then you are paying, there is a minimum you pay every month, and the long distance calls aren't itemized, but you are paying. Are you using Internet phone? Then you are paying for the Internet connection, and the phone ability is a bonus, but it is not free. Internet costs $20 on up a month, same with most cell plans with unlimited long distance, with most paying $30 on up. Many with data plans on smart phones are paying more like $70 a month. That's might seem a lot to pay for someone that might make one or two toll calls a month, and not free the way I would use the word. Sure, if someone is sure to use their phone a lot, then the additional call(s) may semantically be "free" in some sense, but not the way I would use the word. If someone is using a company phone or using someone else's Internet, that could be called free, perhaps. >>


I will rephrase it. It has been years since I have paid a la carte for long distance phone calls. I know in my area, there is $25/month phone service (land line) that includes unlimited long distance. Additionally, most cell phone services do not charge additionally for long distance.

2ndCharter

Free everywhere? Where is this? It's not free with our phone carriers and cell phones don't have good reception out here in the country.

Sorry to hear that - I thought since us folks in little old Upstate South Carolina had unlimited long distance, high speed internet, and great cell reception, I would have thought you guys in big old Georgia would have the same thing.

Zoins

It seems like the simple answer is because non-800 numbers are still not toll free for everyone.

At the same time, it's probably easier to remember an 800 area code than an unfamiliar geographic 3-digit area code.

Lakesammman

It's a memorable # and it is on every past invoice and price sticker we've sold over the last decade or more.

Best answer so far!

Zoins

<< <i>It's a memorable # and it is on every past invoice and price sticker we've sold over the last decade or more. >>



Just noticed that CRO coins travel in style

droopyd

<< <i>until the computer is as easy to connect as the phone the phone will be the 1st choice for consumers! >>



I hate the phone - either making or receiving calls - and would rather conduct all nonpersonal business via email. That way you have a trail of what was communicated.

keets

I will rephrase it.

re-phrase it however you want and it still comes out the same. certainly you're smart enough to understand no free lunch, right??

fishcooker

So customers do not pay to try and do business with you, that's why. Not every business buys cellphones and service plans for their employees.

oreville

I still have rotary dial on one of our phones. It is an ITT green phone.