1 post tagged “telephone”

A long time ago you could call 411 and ask for the time without being charged. I used to do it all the time when I would be out with my friends and had a curfew but no watch to check what time it was.

Now if you do that you will get charged $0.75 to $2.00 ... ridiculous!

So because of that I have gone ahead and found 3 companies that are working against the 411 charges to offer you the service for FREE again ... of course there is a catch ... there is ALWAYS catch!

1-800-411-METRO
I tried three times about five minutes apart and I kept getting a "All Circuits busy!" I couldn't even get thru to make a request on a listing. What's up with that!!! I can't say YES to No-Cost 411 if there is not 411 to get thru to!

1-800-411-SAVE
When I called I got a recording stating "This call maybe recorded for quality assurance" which was kinda funny but hey if they want to work out the kinks I am guessing that is one good way to do it! I was asked for City and state by a automated voice which just directed me to a real person that asked me the same thing but in a very choppy voice when I responded to her she couldn't hear me to well but that might have been the echoing that I was getting. Weird echo too but she finally understood me after repeating myself just once. The listing was correct and I got an advertisement just before the phone number was given to me. The Advertisement was short but was no way related to what I asked for which was Domino's Pizza. Once the ad was complete I got the number the voice was a bit fast but I was able to repeat it by pressing a # on the phone when I did that a reminder for the ad would come up no more then 2 seconds of my time for that reminder ad. The number seemed like it would be repeated as much as I would like I kinda lost interest after the second or third time, but after each time I requested the repeat it would give me that reminder.

1-800-FREE-411
These guys I believe were the first ones on the block to start something like this. So I wasn't surprised that they had the system down pretty good. Already I could tell they had improved the system when an automated voice came on telling me how to use the system and what I would expect. I didn't mind that since it was short and hey if I never used the system that would be something of great use. After the instructions were down I was asked by an automated voice for city and sate(while the recording of the instructions were given it told me that it would try to do it automated and if it didn't work it would direct me to a real person) The automated voice didn't understand the both times it asked so it directed me to someone that could ... a REAL person :) . Very clear call the person understood me right off the bat and sent me to the number that I requested. I got the Ad first though which just like 1-800-411-SAVE it was not even closely related to what I asked for, which again was Domino's Pizza. After the ad it gave me the phone number and it was given to me super slow ... no one could miss this number but if I did miss the number I could request it one more time. It did remind me of the ad like the other service but it didn't allow me to repeat the number more then once.

I tried 1-800-411-METRO one last time but I still got the all circuits are busy recording. Oh well I tried.

So which one is the best? In my honest opinion it would have to be 1-800-FREE-411. Just because they clearly state what is going to happen before it happens, the call is clear(no echo or choppy voice), and the phone number is given to you at a pace that is perfect for writing down in one shot. They also have a listing search on their website which the other 2 do not have ... just a tiny plus to the service. I would have to say the second of my three choices would have to be 1-800-411-SAVE which was alright but it wasn't a service I would call back and use unless I had to for some reason. 1-800-411-METRO ... well ... I couldn't even get thru with them so there is not even a point to talk about that service except that they need to get their act together!

I hope this helps you out and saves you some money ... if it does then spread the word and let people know about the one you picked or maybe just point them to this post ;) .