Free 411 Calls? You Bet

Wed Jan 17, 2007 5:07PM EST

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Tired of paying $1.50 or $2 for every directory assistance phone call? Then don't. There truly is such a thing as free directory assistance, though it may cost you a little in time and patience. Jot this down:

1-800-FREE411.

A Boston-based company called Jingle Networks offers this free alternative to expensive 411 calls via your cell phone or land line. How and why do they do what they do for free? Just as radio and TV shows are supported by advertising, the directory assistance service is sponsored by companies advertising with the service. So, yes, that means you may hear a short, audio ad when requesting a phone number, but not every time.

When I tried it out, the automated system got the name I was requesting wrong, but a live operator quickly came on the line and found the phone number. I heard (and ignored) an ad for a credit card before I got my number, but it didn't drone on too long. Generally, you'll hear ads related to businesses you're requesting to contact and will be given the opportunity to connect to the advertised business. But an ad here and there seems worth saving $1.50 a pop.

The company vows on its web site that it does not give out cell phone numbers or other private information.

I tried another free directory assistance number I've come across, 1-800-411METRO, but this time got a message saying, "All circuits are busy. Please try your call again later."

You can also find numbers on the 1-800-FREE411 web site, but if you're near a computer, there are other free online directories, including Switchboard and Yahoo! Yellow Pages.

So far, I haven't found anything better than 1-800-FREE411 for when I'm on the road. Have you?

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Comments on Free 411 Calls? You Bet

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  • 26 Posted by w124degrees on Thu Sep 3, 2009 10:38PM EDT Report Abuse

    If I need a number enough to phone 411, I'll pay the $2.

  • 27 Posted by hectorito4 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:17PM EDT Report Abuse

    since I'm always on the move, and I don't have time to look for a "big color pages book" for a number, I spent over 25 dlls alone in 411 services. This is the real deal, 2 minutes of time saves me 1.25. Thank You for the great news!

  • 28 Posted by mjebond on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:22PM EDT Report Abuse

    Finally! I hate using 411 on my cell... costs too much. I usually end up calling someone who is in front of a computer to look something up for me. Thanks!

  • 30 Posted by kallijolucky on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:46PM EDT Report Abuse

    Instead of using 411 on my cell phone I text to 46645 (GOOGL). It's a service from Google and if you text them the name of the person/business along with the city and state it'll text you back the address(es) and phone number(s). If you have unlimited texting or if you don't mind using up a couple of your texts...it's a great option.

  • 31 Posted by imnah_alston on Thu Sep 3, 2009 4:23PM EDT Report Abuse

    Free 411 is the best 800 service out there. I have been using it since the summer. Keep up the work 800 free 411. Imnah High Point, NC

  • 32 Posted by effes21 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:52PM EDT Report Abuse

    I know it works ive usd it. only i couldnt connect to 1880free411, it was 1888free411.

  • 34 Posted by luqman78664 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:00PM EDT Report Abuse

    Everybody already knows about this service! Yahoo is soooo late in everthing! OMG

  • 35 Posted by bsluvsms on Thu Sep 3, 2009 3:14PM EDT Report Abuse

    I have been using free 411 for months, and I love it. It has saved me alot of money. The ads arent that long and I responded to a couple of them.

  • 36 Posted by sellosbilbao on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:12PM EDT Report Abuse

    good I normally pay about 15 extra a month just in 411 calls

  • 37 Posted by sang337 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 9:03PM EDT Report Abuse

    a good way to find numbers is to text message google (46645)

  • 39 Posted by anjavomeisentor on Thu Sep 3, 2009 2:55PM EDT Report Abuse

    good to know for land-lines! And for cell phones, just text a message to 'googl' and put in the information you have for the number you need...and you will recieve a text message in a few seconds with your requested number!

  • 42 Posted by mrqqq01 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:28PM EDT Report Abuse

    Great Information. I am going to try it out and then pass on the information to all of my friends.

  • 43 Posted by noahthomas.media on Thu Sep 3, 2009 7:40PM EDT Report Abuse

    My name is Noah Thomas; I am writer in Houston, TX. I tried it and it works wonderfully. The only drawback is a 10 second commercial, which offered a great vacation package! :) They even offer to text it to your celly and informed me that normal rates may apply. On the road, when it's difficult to grab a pen 'cause we're on the phone, drinking coffee and driving, it's a great option! Peace, Noah

  • 44 Posted by lilsnapdragon70 on Thu Sep 3, 2009 6:51PM EDT Report Abuse

    Thank you! I use 411 quite a bit, so I definitely think it's worth sitting through an ad or two to save some money. Plus, it's just the principle of it. It already costs an arm and a leg to have a cell phone or even a regular phone at home, then they have to charge us for this too? I'm programming this number into my phone as soon as I'm done typing. Then I won't have to call 411 to get it! :-)

  • 45 Posted by slmrogers on Thu Jan 18, 2007 6:13PM EST Report Abuse

    I have their number saved in my phone, and it saved me $10 last month. Random credit card offers seem useless, but I got a deal on my pizza order last time by 'pressing 1' when I heard an ad from a local delivery guy.

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