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There are toll-free numbers now available in four different area codes. Everyone knows that 1-800 is a toll-free call, and in recent years three more area codes have been added that are toll-free, these are 888, 866, 877. Most people are familar with them now and know they are toll-free as well.
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Getting a toll-free number in the 800 area code can still be done, but it will most likely be more expensive than one of the others and there are not as many 'vanity' numbers available in the 800 area code. The 800 area code numbers may also incur a higher monthly billing rate.
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Go to the Telcan toll-free service page on the internet, see resources below. In the lower right you can do a vanity number search for your desired number. It may be difficult to find a number you like, in which case you may shorten the vanity part and use the '*' as a wildcard. For example, I did a search for (8**)CPA-****. The search automatically moves the wildcards around, some of the numbers I got back are: 1-866-43C-PA72, 1-866-411-9CPA.
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Once you have found a number you are happy with proceed through the online ordering process. You will need the name and address to associate with your account and new toll-free phone number as well as the Ring-to phone number for the toll-free phone number to ring when someone calls it.
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Telcan offers two types of billing for the toll-free service. You can use a credit card with a weekly credit limit or get setup as a prepaid client. The most convenient way is to use a credit card.
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With the credit card option Telcan will authorize you predefined weekly limit from the credit card every week. At the end of the week you will be charge the for the weeks usage and a new authorization will be put on for the weekly limit. It only appears on the credit card once a month though.
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With Telcan the rates are very favorable. 866, 866 and 888 numbers are only $2/month with a $2 one time setup fee. 800 numbers are $5/month with a $5 one time setup fee. Their rates for vanity numbers are $14.99/month and a setup fee of $14.99. Their minute rate within the US is 4.5 cents per minute an minimum call lenght of 30 seconds, after which it is billed at 6 second intervals. So a wrong number or a hang up will result in a 30 second call.
