[colley614]

Just wondered what you guys think of them. I'm looking at trying to attract more commercial work and just wondered if this would look more professional than a mobile number on my stationary. I don't really give my house number out because I have youngsters about and its usually very noisy.

[dave0123]

on your stationary?


if you mean stuff like invoices then i wouldnt bother with it as you have the job allready 

[colley614]

Hi mate,

I was thinking about on leaflets, in phonebooks and stuff.

[daveappleby]

i have got an 0845 number, it was free but i have decided against using it as imo it looks too un-professional.

i have bought a internet phone for £25 and you get to choose the area code you wish to use

[cbcs]

i have got an 0845 number, it was free but i have decided against using it as imo it looks too un-professional.

i have bought a internet phone for £25 and you get to choose the area code you wish to use

More info please?

[Pittmonkey]

I use Vonage not a 0845 but excellent 2nd phone line for biz use.

http://www.vonage.co.uk/index.php

Wayne

[windowwashers]

i have got an 0845 number, it was free but i have decided against using it as imo it looks too un-professional.

i have bought a internet phone for £25 and you get to choose the area code you wish to use

I cannot understand how you can think it looks unprofessional every big business has them if they looked unproffesional they would not use them they speand a lot of money on things like this for a reason(point made), my only gripe with 0845 numbers it costs when calling from a mobile (people get free call on them and this is charged) thats the only down side really, if you give a mobile and an 0845 thats fine, or an 0800 number.

you can but area codes numbers for £4.99 online routed to mobile not sure on the costs per call.

Ian

[colley614]

Ian,

Do you have anymore info on your last mate, that is interesting. I have had ideas spinning around in my head but can't really come up with anything concrete. I was about 5 minutes away from having a BT 0845 today but then decided against it because it looks like you are hiding something if you trade in a small area using an 0845.
 

[dave0123]

what area's are u working in these days colley? what van u have keep trying to look out for you but not sure what ur driving these days.


are u going to advertise in yp again? or is it a total waste of money like mine was when i first started  :

[daveappleby]

i have got an 0845 number, it was free but i have decided against using it as imo it looks too un-professional.

i have bought a internet phone for £25 and you get to choose the area code you wish to use

I cannot understand how you can think it looks unprofessional every big business has them if they looked unproffesional they would not use them they speand a lot of money on things like this for a reason(point made), my only gripe with 0845 numbers it costs when calling from a mobile (people get free call on them and this is charged) thats the only down side really, if you give a mobile and an 0845 thats fine, or an 0800 number.

you can but area codes numbers for £4.99 online routed to mobile not sure on the costs per call.

Ian

as someone else as quoted it looks like you are trying to hide something if you operate in a small area....thus...looking un-professional! giving out a local area code when you work in that area looks better IMO. 0845 numbers have there place and if they work for a bigger company then thats cool(point made)

[Paul Coleman]

I have an 0845 number.  I got it as I might be moving in a couple of years and didn't want the hassle of re-advertising a new number.  All I will have to do is point the 0845 number to the new number.  I use the number on everything including YP ads, stationery and van signage - plus my mobile number too as has been suggested.  I could have got it free but I wanted a memorable one so paid £200 for it.  The only problem I have had with it is that it bears some similarity to the number used by Devon and Cornwall police which has led to some pretty odd phone calls - not always at a decent hour either.  I tend to switch my phone off at night now.
The 0845 number costs me about £1 or so a month as I have to pay a bit for incoming calls.

I had one a few weeks ago complaining that someone's driveway was blocked by another vehicle.  I just told her to ram it out of the way and disconnected the call.  I wasn't impersonating as I never said I was a copper.
Someone else phoned me at 4 AM wanting to report something about a knife.  If it was that urgent it should be 999 or couldn't it wait till morning.
I usually just disconnect them now without comment as I can't be bothered to keep giving out the police number.

Still, that's only an occasional problem because of the particular number that I chose.  I find that 0845 is fine for my business use.

[windowwashers]

Ian,

Do you have anymore info on your last mate, that is interesting. I have had ideas spinning around in my head but can't really come up with anything concrete. I was about 5 minutes away from having a BT 0845 today but then decided against it because it looks like you are hiding something if you trade in a small area using an 0845.
 

I think it is personal perference as to it is hiding something, I personally dont think that.

An 0845 is not better than a local code if you only work within that code area (I dont) I also do not have an 0845 number nor an 0800 but I am seriously considering getting one as I think it is losing me business to people local in the areas I work in that are not with the same code 01234 not a fact more a feeling.

I may ask a few of but customers over the next month to see what they say, most ring my mobile and not office number anyway.

Ian

[Spursboy1972]

I have an 0800 number. Costs £5 per month. Obviously there are additional call charges. I have only just got it so will have to see how it pans out!