The principal feature of toll-free numbers is it allows callers to contact businesses and/or individuals without having to pay the call charges. The charges are instead paid by the called party.
Toll-free numbers are also called 800 numbers because they are numbers that start with three-digit codes - 800,
888, 877, 866 or 855. Area codes for toll-free numbers reserved for future expansion include 844, 833, 822, 880 through 887, and 889.
The principal feature of toll free numbers is it allows callers to contact businesses and/or individuals without having to pay the call charges. The charges are instead paid by the called party (the owner of toll-free number). The charges of the call to the called party is usually based on factors such as the number of incoming calls on that number, the cost of the trunk lines to the facility, and possibly a monthly flat rate service charge.
Toll-free numbers have become extremely popular amongst the business community as it has proved to be an effective marketing tool. Because toll-free service provides existing and potential customers the opportunity to contact a business without paying the phone charges, there is a meaningful increase in the incoming calls from the customers. Most businesses that offer a toll-free number have reportedly been able to enlarge their customer base as also improve their CRM (Customer Relationship Management).
Yet another benefit of a
toll free number is the ability of your business to sell your goods and services to those who live outside the area in which your business is located. Customers will not hesitate before contacting you - even several times - as the calls are free of charges for them.
Your toll-free number can be forwarded to your cell phone, pager, email address, and even you home phone. An added attraction of a toll free number is its portability. If you have to move your business for some reason, you can still be reached by your customers, without any interruption in the services that you provide - as your toll-free number will not change.
Due to its affordability, many small and mid-sized businesses are now having toll-free numbers and thus a level playing field with large businesses. Besides, toll free numbers attract customers to your business because they give it an air of professionalism. They also boost the customer's confidence in the security of financial transactions with your company.
Due to an overwhelming demand, toll-free numbers are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis by entities known as Responsible Organizations (RespOrgs) and other toll-free service providers. These entities have access to the SMS/800 database, which contains information regarding the status of all toll-free numbers. RespOrgs are certified by the SMS/800 database administrator that operates toll-free services. There are several hundred RespOrgs and toll-free service providers in the entire United States.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is the body that frames the rules and regulates toll-free numbers and the FCC's rules stipulate the criteria for determining the status of each toll-free number and prevents warehousing and hoarding of toll-free numbers. The FCC, however, is not engaged in the day-to-day assignment of toll-free numbers and it does not have direct access to the toll-free number database. FCC therefore cannot provide any information about the status of a toll-free number nor entertain a request for a toll-free number.
But, if you have a problem with a company providing toll-free numbers or service, first try to amicably resolve it with the provider company. If you are not able to resolve it despite your best efforts, then you can file a complaint with the FCC.
Toll-free directory offers assistance for some toll-free numbers and you can obtain the relevant information by calling 1-800-555-1212. But the fact is not all toll-free numbers are listed and it has only the numbers of subscribers that choose to list with them.
As toll-free numbers are becomingly commonplace, several businesses have opted for a "vanity" toll-free number. This is a toll-free telephone number that also spells a person's or company's name or spells a word or acronym that is chosen by the subscriber, such as 1-800-FLOWERS or 1-888-NEW-CARS. A vanity number, being a suggestive alpha-numeric number, is much easier to remember by the clients rather than a completely numerical phone number such as 1-866-348-7965.
