'Anyone know anything about setting up freephone numbers?
Discussion
I want to give some of my better customers a free mobile phone to call my cabs on...
Was thinking of dropping one into local restaurants, bars and stuff but have the sim and the phone locked so they can only ring one number. Ie; our taxi number. Then we pay the monthly bill.
Is there any way to get a cheap handset on a really low tariff? I've heard of 'fixed dialling' but would want to ensure that the service couldn't be unlocked and abused.
Cheers
Edit: Just asked the mods to rename the thread (thanks guys).
Realised that I'm looking for a way to pay for incoming calls to a certain number. I just want the call to appear free to the caller, who will probably be using a mobile phone. I've been googling for ages and drawing an absolute blank
Was thinking of dropping one into local restaurants, bars and stuff but have the sim and the phone locked so they can only ring one number. Ie; our taxi number. Then we pay the monthly bill.
Is there any way to get a cheap handset on a really low tariff? I've heard of 'fixed dialling' but would want to ensure that the service couldn't be unlocked and abused.
Cheers
Edit: Just asked the mods to rename the thread (thanks guys).
Realised that I'm looking for a way to pay for incoming calls to a certain number. I just want the call to appear free to the caller, who will probably be using a mobile phone. I've been googling for ages and drawing an absolute blank
Edited by KingRichard on Friday 18th July 20:03
Why don't you just set up an 0800 number to encourage/reward people to call you? Very easy and quick to set up. We use:
http://www.twplc.co.uk/
Just get some business cards printed up with the number on and ask if you can put these in your local restaurants etc. to drum up more business.
Fixed calling from mobiles is certainly possible but what would happen if the mobile was stolen or broken. More hassle than it's worth in my honest opinion.
http://www.twplc.co.uk/
Just get some business cards printed up with the number on and ask if you can put these in your local restaurants etc. to drum up more business.
Fixed calling from mobiles is certainly possible but what would happen if the mobile was stolen or broken. More hassle than it's worth in my honest opinion.
rossjlee said:
Why don't you just set up an 0800 number to encourage/reward people to call you? Very easy and quick to set up. We use:
http://www.twplc.co.uk/
Just get some business cards printed up with the number on and ask if you can put these in your local restaurants etc. to drum up more business.
Fixed calling from mobiles is certainly possible but what would happen if the mobile was stolen or broken. More hassle than it's worth in my honest opinion.
Well originally I wanted to give them all radios. Trouble with an 0800 number is that the calls are charged at standard rate from most mobile phones. Seeing as it's door staff that book a lot of the cars, I'd quite like it to be a totally cost free solution for them.http://www.twplc.co.uk/
Just get some business cards printed up with the number on and ask if you can put these in your local restaurants etc. to drum up more business.
Fixed calling from mobiles is certainly possible but what would happen if the mobile was stolen or broken. More hassle than it's worth in my honest opinion.
Sorry, I'm with you now. Radios are the obvious choice although range is a factor. These Motorola ones will go up to 6.5 miles.
http://www.motorola.com/governmentandenterprise/we...
No idea on cost as we only deal with their mobile computers and barcode scanners. Probably a fair bit more expensive than a Nokia on Orange PAYG!
http://www.motorola.com/governmentandenterprise/we...
No idea on cost as we only deal with their mobile computers and barcode scanners. Probably a fair bit more expensive than a Nokia on Orange PAYG!
rossjlee said:
Sorry, I'm with you now. Radios are the obvious choice although range is a factor. These Motorola ones will go up to 6.5 miles.
http://www.motorola.com/governmentandenterprise/we...
No idea on cost as we only deal with their mobile computers and barcode scanners. Probably a fair bit more expensive than a Nokia on Orange PAYG!
We need VHF to go the distance (our base station is around 7 miles from the majority of the bars etc.) It's gonna be £3-400 per radio, and we look after about 40 doors http://www.motorola.com/governmentandenterprise/we...
No idea on cost as we only deal with their mobile computers and barcode scanners. Probably a fair bit more expensive than a Nokia on Orange PAYG!
So mobiles or freephone numbers look the way to go.
I don't mind shelling out for a freephone number as long as I can actually make it free for the caller
Great idea though... just make sure it's saved into all the phones
Mobile to 0800 would cost money so no advantage over your normal landline.
Not sure about the phone system you use but we have incorporated a couple of fixed cellular terminals at work. These take a couple of sim cards and allow you to route your calls over the mobile network.
The advantage here is that we can use the 'free calls between sharers' so we can call our engineers for free.
If you had a PBX at your office you could then give out contract handsets to the clubs and they could call you for free. Obviously there would be a cost for the mobile contract and line rental etc.
Not sure about the phone system you use but we have incorporated a couple of fixed cellular terminals at work. These take a couple of sim cards and allow you to route your calls over the mobile network.
The advantage here is that we can use the 'free calls between sharers' so we can call our engineers for free.
If you had a PBX at your office you could then give out contract handsets to the clubs and they could call you for free. Obviously there would be a cost for the mobile contract and line rental etc.
rossjlee said:
Mobile to 0800 would cost money so no advantage over your normal landline.
Not sure about the phone system you use but we have incorporated a couple of fixed cellular terminals at work. These take a couple of sim cards and allow you to route your calls over the mobile network.
The advantage here is that we can use the 'free calls between sharers' so we can call our engineers for free.
If you had a PBX at your office you could then give out contract handsets to the clubs and they could call you for free. Obviously there would be a cost for the mobile contract and line rental etc.
We have that set up for our work mobiles. Ie: Directors and management get free calls between mobile and office. Trouble is, buying someone a mobile handset and putting them on a tariff is a bigger risk than dishing out a number for anyone to use...Not sure about the phone system you use but we have incorporated a couple of fixed cellular terminals at work. These take a couple of sim cards and allow you to route your calls over the mobile network.
The advantage here is that we can use the 'free calls between sharers' so we can call our engineers for free.
If you had a PBX at your office you could then give out contract handsets to the clubs and they could call you for free. Obviously there would be a cost for the mobile contract and line rental etc.
Mobile handsets in the office could work but I guess the calls would still cost something. I almost need reverse charges calling...
Plotloss said:
Surely the vast majority of people have free minutes on their mobiles?
This sounds like an awful lot of arsing about for very little gain if I'm honest.
Not for calls to landlines though surely.This sounds like an awful lot of arsing about for very little gain if I'm honest.
Problem is, that I pay a commission on each job booked (typically to the security firm) but all that happens is the guys give out our cards but don't ACTUALLY call a cab for the customer as they leave the premises.
We've just installed a freephone at one of the nightclubs, as it was cost effective to have an open line and pay for the installation/call charges etc.
For the smaller bars I'd love to make booking a cab as easy as possible, and if I can prevent the door staff having to ring our number from their own phones - there's not anything in it for them other than their boss asking them to do it.
Cheers
All calls to 07 or 01 numbers are free for most people from mobiles arent they?
Perhaps 10% discount on an delivery/collection if the collection portion is booked at the same time?
Something like that. I dont think there is a major hurdle in people booking cabs as such, its not an overly complex process.
Or perhaps for restaurants, strike a deal that they call you when the bill goes to the table?
Perhaps 10% discount on an delivery/collection if the collection portion is booked at the same time?
Something like that. I dont think there is a major hurdle in people booking cabs as such, its not an overly complex process.
Or perhaps for restaurants, strike a deal that they call you when the bill goes to the table?
Plotloss said:
All calls to 07 or 01 numbers are free for most people from mobiles arent they?
Perhaps 10% discount on an delivery/collection if the collection portion is booked at the same time?
Something like that. I dont think there is a major hurdle in people booking cabs as such, its not an overly complex process.
Or perhaps for restaurants, strike a deal that they call you when the bill goes to the table?
I do the bill thing with a couple of restaurants but it only really works with the nicer ones... most places/staff don't give a fPerhaps 10% discount on an delivery/collection if the collection portion is booked at the same time?
Something like that. I dont think there is a major hurdle in people booking cabs as such, its not an overly complex process.
Or perhaps for restaurants, strike a deal that they call you when the bill goes to the table?
k how their customers get home.The only way is to pay for the calls
That being the case I cant see how you're going to do it.
If you use a freephone number, these are specifically excluded from free minutes on mobiles so that will incur more of a charge than the landlines, which will only eat up free minutes.
If you give them a phone, then it will either be abused or someone will have it when someone else needs it.
SMS and then call back?
If you use a freephone number, these are specifically excluded from free minutes on mobiles so that will incur more of a charge than the landlines, which will only eat up free minutes.
If you give them a phone, then it will either be abused or someone will have it when someone else needs it.
SMS and then call back?
Plotloss said:
That being the case I cant see how you're going to do it.
If you use a freephone number, these are specifically excluded from free minutes on mobiles so that will incur more of a charge than the landlines, which will only eat up free minutes.
If you give them a phone, then it will either be abused or someone will have it when someone else needs it.
SMS and then call back?
I suppose I could get them to hand out vouchers (10% discount from the **** Pub), then give the punter a proper card once in the car...If you use a freephone number, these are specifically excluded from free minutes on mobiles so that will incur more of a charge than the landlines, which will only eat up free minutes.
If you give them a phone, then it will either be abused or someone will have it when someone else needs it.
SMS and then call back?
That would generate the calls, and also enable us to see where the bookings were coming from...
Plotloss said:
How many punters would you need to pay for a man to co-ordinate all of this at the venue for you like the proper clubs do?
You'd only need him there for 30 minutes before an an hour or so after kicking out time...
No it's a trickle effect mate... ok there is a rush at kicking out time, but I'll have this covered at the bigger venues soon enough (law needs to be changed but it's no big deal... going in from a passenger safety angle with the licensing authority).You'd only need him there for 30 minutes before an an hour or so after kicking out time...
To put one guy on the door of every venue would be a ball ache and cost a fortune. With some venues you might only get a couple of fares, whereas some on busy nights you might get as many as 30 or 40. Where do you put the resources?
The radio's would have been perfect but they are mega mega money. It's a shame we can't just have an extra channel on the current radio's. They all use cheaper walkie talkies.
Unless there was a way to boost their signal in town
~googling~
www.youpoc.net
Seems right up your street.
The JCB phone has it, just get a few of them.
Bobs your aunties live in lover.
Seems right up your street.
The JCB phone has it, just get a few of them.
Bobs your aunties live in lover.
Plotloss said:
www.youpoc.net
Seems right up your street.
The JCB phone has it, just get a few of them.
Bobs your aunties live in lover.
Well done Matt, I've just emailed their sales address Seems right up your street.
The JCB phone has it, just get a few of them.
Bobs your aunties live in lover.
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