The Toll
Free Truth
Customer service starts with selfless service.
1.800; 1.866, the charge for using a toll-free number is paid by the
called party (the toll-free subscriber) instead of the customer.
By Jared Hess
Statistically consumers are more likely to
pick up the phone and call the company if the number listed is
toll-free. What does a toll free number tell potential
clientele? It represents a superior level of ambition, growth
and professionalism which in turn promotes confidence and
loyalty.
Toll-free numbers are becoming more readily available and
increasingly common as businesses witness proven success amongst
their competitors in the areas of customer service and
telemarketing.
When toll free numbers were created back in the late 40’s they
were created to allow people to call businesses that were not
local without being charged the long distance charge. When first
introduced AT&T utilized the 800 number in place of the area
code. Today we now use 800, 888, 877, 866, and now 855. In order
for them to work as intended all toll free numbers do not
themselves produce a dial tone, they need to be forwarded to a
local land line.
The Federal Communications Commission explains the
inter-workings of toll-free numbers as being “assigned on a
first-come, first-served basis by entities referred to as
“Responsible Organizations or RespOrgs or other toll-free
service providers. These entities, which may or may not be
telephone companies, have access to the SMS/800 database, which
contains information regarding the status of all toll-free
numbers.”
Call Tracking companies have entered the telephony industry as
responsible organizations that have access to the database. Toll
Free numbers were some of the first numbers used as a tracking
number. They were a natural fit as all tracking numbers used
today are numbers that don’t create their own dial tone and need
to be forwarded to a local number, even if the numbers
themselves appear local. When the number is ported into these
companies software platforms they work just as they would with
any other phone company but it is in the call is forwarded from
the toll free number to the land line that these tracking
companies can get their information as well as recording the
call.
The FCC also requires that a subscriber can “port” his or her
number to a new provider when changing service providers. When
porting a number to and from different carriers be aware of who
will end up owning the number once the transfer is completed.
Some companies will maintain ownership and charge a port in or
port out fee.
ACI Call Tracking has a system that has been tried and tested.
We are continually studying the market and listening to our
customers in hopes of creating a system is that is easy to use
and leading the way in new development. Take the time and study
the differences between call tracking companies and we are
confident you will see what makes us stand out among all the
rest.
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