Question

Topic: Advertising/PR

800 Number Magic?

Posted by Anonymous on 4/25/2006 at 6:55 PM ET 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
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by michael on 4/25/2006 at 7:52 PM Member
    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 on 4/26/2006 at 1:17 AM Member
    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 on 4/26/2006 at 1:36 AM Member
    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 on 4/26/2006 at 10:30 AM Member
    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.
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