How to Get Free Directory Assistance

Call Directory Assistance for free

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It often seems that the price of Directory Assistance is through the roof. Most people pay $1, $2 or more just to have a computerized recording tell them a telephone number. Many people feel that the cost is unjustified, particularly when they consider that the very same telephone company will often profit from the call to the number being given out. If only there was a way to use directory assistance without paying for it. Brace yourself--there is. Once thought to be an urban myth, free directory assistance is very real. Here's how to get free directory assistance:

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Telephone
Pen and paper to make note of the number

Step1

Dial 800-FREE-411 (800-373-3411). Yes, it's really that simple.

Step2

Listen to a brief advertisement. These advertisements usually range from 5 to 10 seconds and are how the company is able to provide this service for free.

Step3

Follow the voice prompts to provide the information required to look up the telephone number you are looking for.

Step4

Write down the number you are given. It's really that easy and, best of all, it's free.

Tips & Warnings

If calling from a cell phone, minutes may still be deducted from your plan if your service provider deducts time for toll free numbers. However, this is still much better than paying them $1 or more for directory assistance.

Who Can Help:

Photo/Video Credit

meyshanworld, Flickr Creative Commons License

Comments

phil2009 said

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on 7/23/2008 Just dialed the 800-411-SAVE number twice - WOW - awesome response time - great voices - very polite and courteous – LOVED IT!

BlueOx said

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on 5/25/2008 Thanks for the tip gdawg. I'll try to remember this number to give it a try the next time I need directory assistance. I'm not sure I would really say free411 is "horrible". I have used it many times and usually get my number without problem. I will say though, there was one or two times when the system couldn't understand what I was saying, and was asking me to spell, and then couldn't understand that. I eventually got the number, but probably would have been better off to just pay the $1 for traditional directory assistance. Overall, it has been a good service though.

gdawg1970 said

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on 5/25/2008 Free411 used to have live agents backing up its horrible automation system. I found another free service with agents and no automation. 1-800-411-SAVE.

simplesimon said

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on 4/28/2008 I use free411 myself. My real estate networks with with a lot of residential clients, so it’s more useful than the google alternative. Interestingly, they’re running a plane ticket give away this April. A couple days left to call in and qualify. My office spent enough of their time dialing this am.

I read something about accessing directions with their service too. Hope it comes to my areas soon since every summer I seem to burn up a gps in the middle of no where.

Glynnis

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