Progressive Wednesday

I remembered yesterday, when I was on the road and needed to know the digits of a local drug store, that there was a way to find out said info.

Instead of using the typical (and costly) information services available through land-lines and cell phones you can just dial 800-FREE-411. (This translates to 800-373-3411.) What you’ll get is this:

• A free, voice-automated directory assistance.
• No need to fear telemarketers.

Typical 411 services range from $1.49 to as much as $3.49 per phone number. So how in the name of all that is holy and sacred is this new one gratuit? The whole thing works a little like a radio station. You end up listening to two incredibly brief audio advertisements. One comes before you ask for a listing, and the second comes right before you hear the listing. That’s it.

In the words of Jingle Networks, Inc.:

Our sponsors cover the service cost by playing short advertising messages (about 15 seconds) — ads usually based on your search request. Say you’re looking for a local pizza place. We might play you a special offer from Dominos. And we’ll even connect you for free. Of course, you can always just get the original number you requested. Best part is, a typical call to us lasts about the same amount of time as a paid 411 call.

For more of the F.A.Q. about 800-FREE-411, just click this sentence. Then add the sucker to your cell phone’s contact list or speed dial, baby. (By the way, lest we forget, it’s totally legit.)

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Editor’s Note, Part I: Just for the sake of full disclosure, we will add this: Google has launched a similar service. But we’re always trying to look out for new, privately held, start-up companies.

Editor’s Note, Part II: As with any other 800 number, your phone number is made available to the party you are trying to reach even if you have an unlisted number or even if you have a Caller ID Block on. This is just the way that toll free numbers work. FREE 411 is a legit business, and they don’t do anything that isn’t forced on them by federal law (the aforementioned is part of a governmental regulation). If you’re concerned about releasing your phone number to businesses, we recommend registering with the Do Not Call Registry. Also, keep in mind that some telemarketing is already illegal to make to a cell phone of any kind. Last thing: we’ve used FREE 411 a great deal, and we’ve never had a single problem.