Ask your question ... sign up today! It's FREE!
Advertising/PR     
 
This question has been closed, and points have been awarded.
800 Number Magic?
Posted By: erupp on 4/25/2006 5:55 PM (CST) 250 Points
We're a local residential plumbing business and just bought a nice new service van. We'll soon be adding some attractive signage.

We think having an 800 number is a good idea - for the van sign, website, etc. Better may be to have a pneumonic number. We found someone who will SELL us his...

1-877-PLUMBING.

Q1. Does experience show that this is worth the $500 he's asking? (We're bullish to grow the business, not just sit on our laurels.)

Q2. Is the 877 area code better/same/worse than the 800, 866, and 888 area codes?

Q3. Do you think we should we pay the ransom or do it for free with 1-800-473-9376 (out of the hat example) or "hybrid" 1-800-99-PLUMBING?

Thanks!

Eric

Posted by: W.M.M.A. Accepted Answer
4/25/2006 6:11 PM (CST)
Q1: Ask yourself, in the long run, is this important to your branding? I believe it is.

Q2: 800 was the best. But, I don't belive it makes a difference in today's market.

Q3: 1.800. 99.PLUMBING is a good number, but longer, and may be a bit more difficult to remember.

My vote: 877-PLUMBING
I can visualize the print ads and radio spots. Potential copy...
"...easy to remember, 877-PLUMBING...877-PLUMBING...
AT BOB'S PLUMBING...WE DO IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME...877-PLUMBING....CALL NOW, WE'RE ON THE WAY.

Hope I've been some help.
Randall
WMMA

It's your brand...what do you think?
 
Posted by: michael Member Response
4/25/2006 6:52 PM (CST)
If the 877 plumbing was so good, trust me he wouldn't sell it. Remember 800-flowers? Think ol' Jim would sell that?


Maybe 1-800-911-Plumbing. www.911plumb.net is available

Michael
 
Posted by: Nitin Kochhar Member Response
4/26/2006 12:17 AM (CST)
Hi,

Why dont you go for 888. Its looks attractive. You can use this for the van sign, website, etc. ALso one thing, have a consistency in the number on your external communication, the logo you will use for it, color combination - i mean the theme should go well.

1. Plumbing @ 888 - Service you better
2. Plumber available at 888

You can out your creative ideas and make attractive punchlines.

Hope this will help
 
Posted by: pghpromo Member Response
4/26/2006 12:36 AM (CST)
I'm thinking $500 is a drop in the bucket if you anticipate that using such a memorable phone number will generate sufficient ROI. If you buy it, just be sure you USE IT EVERYWHERE and PROMOTE IT HEAVILY to ensure good ROI. This is true whether you buy the 877 number or get your own 888, as per Nitin's response.

RE: Michael's concern above--Why does some guy want to sell you the 877 number at all? Is he, in fact, a plumber or merely a "squatter" just hoping to sell the number to someone like you? If he is a plumber, is he retiring from the business or does the number just not work for him because he has/had a lame marketing plan? Worth finding out more about the seller, since you are concerned about the price tag. You certainly don't want to buy a lemon--especially if it's a USED lemon with a bad rep.
 
Posted by: MissyV Member Response
4/26/2006 8:42 AM (CST)
I question the reputation of the number along with Michael and phillerk, so here's what I found doing a google search on 877-plumber:

877 is the trade number for plumbing - nice trivia question, but I'm not sure that it would mean anything to your customer-base (I didn't know that before searching)

see search result (found under pay grade 7): http://www.tylerisd.org/Personnel/Manualtradeslist.htm

877plumber.com is listed as being an expired domain name - which could be good or bad, depending on what type of company they were before you

see search result:
http://www.justdropped.com/drops/030506com.html

I would find out what the seller's motivation is for no longer using the number - is he retiring from the industry? why a price of $500?
 
Posted by: NuCoPro Member Response
4/26/2006 9:19 AM (CST)
I guess no one noticed that 877.PLUMBING has too many characters for a phone number (877.758.6246 (7).

I HATE pneumonic phone numbers as I don't use my phone number pad for text messaging and it's been a LONG time since phone numbers included letters. Therefore, I'm challenged with having to decode the message, which ticks me off. However, IF the company also lists the numeric equivalent, then I don't care if they are trying to reach those above 70 and below 20 with their message.

I would concentrate more on getting across a strong message revolving around trust and dependability. Believe me when I find a good tradesperson I not only "marry" them, but tell everyone I know about them. THAT'S what will get you business - not a "cute" phone number.
 
Posted by: JudyJudyJudy Member Response
4/26/2006 9:30 AM (CST)
If your a local plumbing business, why do you need an 800 number anyway? If your name is memorable, I'll look you up.
Just my first thoughts.
 


Get more answers ... ReTweet this!

Would you like to post a response?
Welcome to Know-How Exchange!
This is a collaborative community. We welcome everyone's participation.
All you need to do is login. Enter your account info in the box above (top right).
Not a member? Not a problem. Register here (it's FREE and EASY).




Know-How Exchange powered by MarketingProfs


Sponsored Links

Buy a Link Now

Just Released ... Download Today!
Just Released ... Download Today!
Look inside
User Name:
Password:
Remember Me
Forgot your password?

Top 25 KHE Experts
(Advertising/PR)
Jay Hamilton-Roth (48187)
W.M.M.A. (32488)
mgoodman (28357)
CarolBlaha (21401)
michael (19117)
PhilGrisolia=Results (13461)
Gary Bloomer (12060)
thinkmor (11658)
darcy.moen (10787)
stevea (10362)
Peter (henna gaijin) (10341)
NuCoPro (9474)
mbarber (8803)
telemoxie (8723)
Mushfique Manzoor (7932)
Puru Gupta (6790)
SteveByrneBranding (6690)
SRyan ;] (5966)
shghosh (5797)
Deremiah *CPE (5479)
Pepper Blue (5368)
ASVP/ChrisB (5291)
Tracey (5120)
Mikee (4878)
amandavega (4775)
Recently Posted Marketing Jobs
Senior Marketing Associate
Demand Generation Sr. Manager
Web Consultant
Director of Marketing & Community
Content Acquisition Manager
Marketing Manager
Senior Marketing Executive - ICIS Americas
Vice President, Marketing
[more jobs]

Join over 357,000 members ... SIGN UP!

My email address is and I'd like my password to be .

Already a member? Sign In!

My email address is , and my password is .


HACKER SAFE certified sites prevent over 99.9% of hacker crime.