Here are some free and useful phone numbers that I am always glad are in my cell phone.
1-800-FREE-411 – Free 411 Directory assistance. Why pay 99 cents a call? They can even text message you the phone number of the business you’re looking for, so you don’t need to scramble for a pen. Details here.
1-800-GOOG-411 – Free 411 Directory assistance from Google. Uses voice recognition, and connects you for free.
1-888-DO-FRUCALL – Wondering if the price you see in a store is fair? Just call FruCall and type in the UPC bar code number, and it will tell you the best price online. Details here.
1-800-555-TELL – Looking for local movie showtimes? Sports news? Driving directions? Stock quotes? Try TellMe. I use this a lot to kill time when waiting around for friends.
Store them in your cell phones now, or you’ll be sorry. 🙂 Please add your own in the comments!
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Google has a free 411 service as well:
http://labs.google.com/goog411/
If you like 1-800-FREE-411 you will surely like the new service from Google. Google just recently released this service in beta at 1-800-GOOG-411. Based on early reviews its supposed to be much better than the 1-800-FREE-411 service. Check out further details at
http://labs.google.com/goog411/
The product is completely automated and there is no way to talk to a human for additional or clarifying information.
1-800-GOOG-411
That’s Google’s new 411 service. It’s similar to the others. All voice activated, no spelling needed. Plus you can search by category, which is a nice feature that uses Google Local search when you don’t know the exact place you want. No ads to listen to either! I’ve been using it alot and its very handy.
The number you listed for Tellme seems to be incorrect, it’s 800-555-TELL not 888-555-TELL.
Don’t forget google’s new service. 1-800-GOOG-411
What about 1-800-GOOG-411 (1-800-466-4411).
Google’s free 411.
Note: Currently considered “experimental”
Google also has a free 411 service that just came out which really rocks. I believe it is 1-800-Goog -411. It will send details about your search to your cell via SMS.
Apparently I missed the memo on GOOG411 🙂
I realize this post is geared towards “Voice” calls, if one can call an automated service voice, but you can also search google via SMS by sending your query to 46645 (GOOGL).
That DO FRUCALL line sounds cool.
Jonathan,
This is unrelated to this post but I have been checking out your blog lately after hearing about it on Marketplace Money. I like what you read!
So, when you are done with those 0% balance credit cards, do you close them? I’ve heard the reasons for NOT closing unused accounts, but are there reasons that it would be beneficial TO close an account (obviously not my oldest ones, just some that I don’t need/use). I found one article that said not to close them to improve a FICO score, but cryptically added “but you may want to close them for other reasons”, with no explanation.
I know you aren’t an “official” expert, but it seems you do good research! Just looking for an opinion. If you have discussed this elsewhere I apologize, but I did do a quick search and came up empty handed. Thanks!
Does anyone know if google offers anything like this? HA. Thanks Jonathan. I had never heard of any of these, even googles, but I am sure I will use them now.
I hadn’t heard of Google 411 until I read these comments. I just added the number to my cell phone.
I was going to make a smart aleck comment about trying Google 411 but I guess that’s well covered by now. 🙂
I don’t know why anyone would use a paid 411 service. If they do, I’d guess they also like to bleed out of their eyeballs and sit on razor blades too!
The Tellme number (800-555-TELL) also has business search. I prefer the Tellme search to Google’s, the voice is higher quality and the results are better. For example, I just looked up Home Depot in Sunnyvale, CA. Google gave me the result, but I couldn’t understand the street name (Kifer) or the address at all. Tellme was intelligible, and also returned the 800 number along with the local number.
You can also do SMS searches with Tellme by texting the query to TELLM (i.e. “home depot sunnyvale”). You get back an SMS with the results. It’s pretty good, I prefer using SMS rather than voice because it stores the result in my inbox, and it’s less annoying than speech recognition on the phone. You also get back a URL to a map in case you want it (my phone display is too small to make this useful).
As always—I LEARN something NEW everytime I click on Moneyblog! Thankk you for the tips. I will be sure to pass on this info to my readers! All 3 of them. LOL
p.s. HeeHee at Hazzard 🙂
I like Tellme the best since it does all of the things you mentioned plus directory assistance thus rendering the other two numbers in your phone book (Goog411 and Free411) unnecessary.
The unique thing about Goog411 is that it actually connects you to the requested number while the other two just give you details.
The unique thing about Free411 is the live operator support which can be very valuable if English is not your native language.
Coincidently, I just did a comparison of Goog411, Free411, and Tellme on my blog last night. Check it out if interested
The numbers are in my cell. I don’t want to be sorry 🙂 Thanks.
I text message Google ALL the time to get phone numbers. You send sms to 46654 (GOOGL) with the listing and an approximate zipcode and it will message you back with the closest results. It’s quick and easy and cheaper than a phone call (during peak minutes at least).
Thanks for the tips on other services!
David Rocci
1-800-taxi-cab. that’s one I have found useful living in the city
Also, check out 800-411-SAVE
All you have to do is listen to a short ad.
Love the tip! I’ve got to go learn where I can save more money!
Just when I think I have squeezed the most out of my budget!
I just checked the website after being on a small vacation. Has anyone though about using a service like Skype to connect to Google 411? Skype connects to 1-800-numbers free of charge and Google 411 connects you to the business you request. Seems like a good way to use the benefits of Skype and google together to save on that hefty .02 cents a minute. Hey, every penny counts…
It’s nice to have all these #’s, but it is a little confusing to know exactly which is the best to use. Any reccommendations?
I’ve used FREE411 and GOOG411 recently. Haven’t tried 411SAVE and probably won’t bother as the others worked fine. As Yan said –
“The unique thing about Goog411 is that it actually connects you to the requested number while the other two just give you details.
The unique thing about Free411 is the live operator support which can be very valuable if English is not your native language.”
Of all the free 411 services available, I like 1800-411-SAVE. It’s operator assisted and you can look up business and government offices and your friends’ number if they are listed.
does anyone know of a 1800 411 service that is a Residential service and that can be used on skype, Ive tryed call411 and goog411 and free411 411save 555tell 411metro and still won’t connect
We’ve developed a new toll free service for the traveler:
1-800-In-A-City
1-800-462-2489
This number provides instant access to multiple travel services along with Free 411.
try 1-800-just-dial for free 411