Phone redirect

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I moved 2 and a half years ago and had to pay for a new number and a redirect. I left it on for over 2 years and cancelled it a couple of months ago, only to find that someone rang on my mobile and told me they tried ringing my old number, but it didn't work.

I assumed that having a redirect for over 2 years would have been long enough, but this chap used us in 2007.

I would have thought that people could find you on the internet and/or Yellow Pages/Phonebook.

Thoughts?

[mikeee]

"Redirect" is what buggered me, it doesn't redirect. You get a pre-recorded message saying that the number has changed and to re-dail 0118 xxx xxxx.
Apparently the way to do it is, keep the old number and pay your qaurterly bill, point it to the new number and pay for that leg of the call.

[Danno13]

Sounds like a right pain really, I've kept the same number since about 2005 and it's followed me to Bristol, then back home, then to my own house when I moved out.

For anyone starting a business (or setting up a seperate business line) now, it makes sense to buy a geographical number (or an 08XX if you really want) that you can point anywhere you like, so it doesn't matter where you move to in the future.

I'm pretty sure you can port a BT number to most VOIP services too, then just setup a redirect to your new number, so that would be an option too.

[Corabar Entertainment]

Do you have a database of all your customers?

Might be worth doing a mailchimp mailout saying you changed numbers 2 years ago, but the re-direct has now ended, and in case anyone missed it, here's the new number.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

"Redirect" is what buggered me, it doesn't redirect. You get a pre-recorded message saying that the number has changed and to re-dail 0118 xxx xxxx.
Apparently the way to do it is, keep the old number and pay your qaurterly bill, point it to the new number and pay for that leg of the call.

You can do either, but the latter is more expensive. A lot more expensive I seem to recall.

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Do you have a database of all your customers?



No. :(

[DiscoMagic]

I use a 0843 number from http://www.switchboardfree.co.uk/index.asp - great guys and it doesn't cost me a penny (unless I route it to the mobile and even then it only costs 11p per minute).

So I know when I move house I won't have a problem :)

[Ecstatic Events]

My thoughts are - He found you in the end.

I have already bought a Non Geographical (0845) number that will follow me forever and save me the hassle of numbers changes etc.

As for you not having a database, I will definitely invest in some sort of CRM tool during this year. Imagine all the business you could pro-actively drum up with mailshots etc. Especially if you are working with Hotels/Wedding Venues/Christmas Venues etc.

[Vectis]

I use a 0843 number from http://www.switchboardfree.co.uk/index.asp - great guys and it doesn't cost me a penny (unless I route it to the mobile and even then it only costs 11p per minute).

So I know when I move house I won't have a problem :)

That's all fine and dandy but I've seen far too many of these "everything for free" upstarts go to the wall over the years.

A good idea all the same, but I'd urge anyone heading down this route for the purposes of number longevity to go with one of the 'big boys' even if more expensive.

If you're just after a cheap redirect and don't care about the number then fill your boots!

[Paul S]

If you don't mind a contract with Orange, you can get a locally integrated number (LIN) that is a geographic number instead of a normal 07 mobile number. You do pay a monthly charge for the type of number, which are tiered into bronze, silver and gold levels, the higher being a more memorable number (and more expensive). As your customers telephone provider sees a normal 01 type number they will be billed as if they are calling a landline.

[JTRS]

Whilst in just about any other business I would agree that 2 years of redirect would be more than enough time for your customers to contact you, I guess it's different for DJs, in as much as you might not be needed for a good few years because they haven't had a party in that time.

I suppose when you think about it, it depends on what party you did last for them as to when you might be needed again, eg

18th birthday party, won't be long till they have their 21st or possibly engagement.

Engagement won't be long till they have their wedding

But when you are doing a 30th or a 40th then it's 10 years until their next big birthday, yes I know they might have partners but you get the jist.

Just my thoughts

JTRS

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

Whilst in just about any other business I would agree that 2 years of redirect would be more than enough time for your customers to contact you, I guess it's different for DJs, in as much as you might not be needed for a good few years because they haven't had a party in that time.

I suppose when you think about it, it depends on what party you did last for them as to when you might be needed again, eg

18th birthday party, won't be long till they have their 21st or possibly engagement.

Engagement won't be long till they have their wedding

But when you are doing a 30th or a 40th then it's 10 years until their next big birthday, yes I know they might have partners but you get the jist.

Just my thoughts

JTRS

Whilst that may be true, I think most people have the ability to Google for a client and therefore get the number. Funnily enough, I took am enquiry from another listing directory yesterday and it's still my old phone number, but she managed to find the new one.

[Corabar Entertainment]

Probably of no use to you now Darren, since you don't still have the old telephone number, but this may be useful to someone else if they are moving.

http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=76af0e2bd8c7089b5d46dcf39&id=2847375f2f&e=bc127371d8


Are you about to lose your existing phone numbers?

At alphaTALK we understand the importance of retaining your existing telephone number(s), which may have been the lifeline to your business for many years. Imagine if you are faced with the prospect of losing it in the event of office relocation.

We experienced this problem ourselves, when recently relocated less than a mile from our previous premises, and were unable to keep our main number. This was due to the new office being located within a different BT exchange. This affects many companies up and down the country quite often.

What are your options?

Your options could be to get a new number which may result in older customers losing contact with you, record a number announcement for customers, or pay BT for an expensive Remote Call Forwarding option. Our recommendation is to do what we did. We ported our main number away from our then provider and onto our alphaTALK system (converting it to a ‘virtual number’) and thus were able to divert it to any landline or mobile of our choice. The costs are negligible in comparison to the value you will derive by retaining the number.

What does it cost?

We can do this approximately within 21 days and for a one off fee of £95.00 (Plus VAT. The ongoing monthly charge will be £10.00 (Plus VAT) and each incoming call will be billed at £0.01p per minute.

If you would like to take advantage of this service either call us on 0800 007 6000 or visit http://www.alphatalk.com. For all orders received before 30thJune 2011, we will waive the admin fee of £95.00 (Plus VAT).

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

£10 a month and I was paying £30 a quarter for the message to say I have a new number, so not much difference.

Good find though.