May 9, 2006 2:32 pm US/Eastern
Free 411 From Your Cell Phone
by Sara Underwood
(CBS4)
As most consumers will tell you, using your cell phone to call 411 can ring up a hefty bill. Some people will do just about anything to avoid the charges. "I'd have to call my mom and say, 'Mom, could you call and get the number and call me back' which would be cheaper than $1.25", one cell phone user told us.
But there is a new option. It's free directory assistance even from your cell phone.
Telecommunications consultant, Adam Wazal, says this is good news for consumers, "Five years ago consumers spent $6 billion on directory assistance. Now it's more like 3 billion."
How do these free 411 companies make money? From advertisements. When you request a number, you may have to hear a short commercial about a company related to the number want. For example, if you ask for the number of a pizza parlor, you could hear an ad about Dominoes.
We asked some shoppers at a local mall to try one service, 1-800-FREE-411 which is based in Massachusetts. The response was overwhelmingly favorable, "I think it's great if you can do that free" and "Finally, they won't be charging us an arm and a leg to call 411."
Most of the free 411 services also work on your home phone or pay phones.
There are some negatives. You may be told that all circuits are busy and to try again later. And while the call does not cost anything, you will be using up minutes if you call during your peak hours.
Here are some free 411 services:
Free411.com 1800411Save.com 411Metro.com
(© MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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