Calling 4-1-1 for Free

An average call to 411 from any phone will cost anywhere from 1 to 2 dollars. But there is a simple and easy way to get past this.

There are a couple easy services out there that you can call for free.

 #1: Google 411 (aka Google Voice Local Search). The number for this service is 1-800-GOOG-411 or 1-800-466-4411. It was released as an official Google service in September 2007. The service uses voice recognition. Upon calling you will be told that the call will be recorded for better future results. Then it will ask you the city and state you would like to search in. Then it will ask you for a business name or category. From there it will give you a list of businesses matching the criteria. Once you select the business you will get a couple options, first you will get the option to be connected directly to the business, if you want more options you save details. Once you’ve done this is will as if you want to have the info sent as a text message, or you can have the address and phone number said out loud. There is absolutely no charge, it’s toll-free, and you don’t even have to listen to an advertisement before you get the information.

#2: The next is 1-800-FREE-411. This also a toll-free service, but you must listen to two advertisements, one at the beginning of the call and one after you make your request. This service also uses voice recognition. After the first advertisement they give you the options of business, government, residential, and directions. Then you make the request, you tell them the city and state it is in, then say the name or category of the business. You then get anothe advertisement. After they will give you the businesses they found with your specifications. You choose the business, then you get the options. You can select send a text message, hear the information, or get directions. If you choose directions, they will ask you the city and state you are in, then the nearest intersection or the address your at. Then they will send you a text message with the phone number and driving directions.

GOOG-411 seems to be the better if you are just looking for a business and just want simple information. But if you want to get directions and information on government or residential numbers your gonna have to use FREE-411. FREE-411 will take a little longer do to the advertisements and more options, but it is wrth the time if you need directions.

My conclusion is never call regular 411, it is a complete waste of money. There are two great free options.