Sick of paying for 411

[jriles]

What could be more undemocratic than paying for directory assistance. is anyone else sick of this? i refuse to use it because i refuse to pay a dollar or more to ask the phone company for one of their customers phone numbers.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

1. The worst thing is, you pay for it even when they can't find the effing number!

I've had them come up empty-handed, then found the phone number myself using a search engine. :(

[jriles]

2. I agree

but i'm also tired of having to go to my computer to look up a number. and how about if i'm on the street. couple times i've come close to doing it. but no. i refuse.

i don't have the yellow pages at home either. i mean, i could but don't want a big ugly book laying around. i have a function on my phone to look up businesses but it's hit or miss. most of the time they aren't listed. and what about residential numbers? no dice there.
it's just bull. the phone companies are raking it in without ever giving up the occasional freebie.
that sheat should be free.

[fizzgig]

3. i don't use 411 anymore

1.800.FREE.411 has become one of my best friends, they don't connect you but you'll get the number

[jobycom]

4. I didn't know people still used 411. I just look everything up on the Internet

If I'm not by a computer, the phone call can wait.

[Nicole]

5. They still have 411?

I haven't used it in years.

[jriles]

6. An alternative I didn't know about

I stopped using it because I had to pay for it, not because it wasn't useful. I'd use it all the time if it was free.
I did a bit of searching last and came across the free411 compamy someone mentioned. Haven't used their service yet but I'll give it a try. Never thought there'd be someone providing a substitute to phone companies directory assistance. I thought we were stuck.

[Deja Q]

7. Especially when it's automated and then add 75 cents for them to dial it for you

:eyes:
(it used to be free for them to automatically dial...)

[hippywife]

8. I haven't used 411 in eons.

I either use my computer or the phone book. If you don't want a big old phone book laying around, put it in a drawer.

[jriles]

9. phonebooks kill trees

I tried the 1-800-free411 number. it worked. i ordered some chinese food from a place down the street and then got my parent's phone number (although I already have it) just to see if it worked. it did. they have both an automated service and a live operator.
Nice call kagehime. I'm indebted. next time i come across a problem-solving new service, I'll look you up.

[jus_the_facts]

10. Yes they do...but you have to pay EXTRA to keep your number OUT of it...

...that's just ass backwards to me!! :wtf: