Until recently, if you wanted to buy a log cabin you probably would have to drive great distances to the mountains or places where log cabins were sold.
Or if you wanted a fresh-cut Christmas tree, you might have to trek to the countryside.
Now, though, you can be the ultimate consumer with just the push of your phone buttons. And the best news is that the calls are free.
AT&T has collected most of the national toll-free 800 numbers for consumers into the AT&T Toll-free 800 Directory. The telephone book lists more than 66,000 toll-free numbers that can be called to buy everything from candy and cosmetics to luggage and log cabins.
”It`s a national phone book. It makes America a national marketplace no matter where you live,” said Allison Engel, an author and journalist serving as AT&T spokeswoman for the directory.
”It`s really possible to eat your way across the country using toll-free numbers,” Engel said. ”It expands the whole idea of what you can give as a gift. It`s not just candy and flowers. You can send champagne, a live lobster from Maine, a 6-foot Christmas tree, a bicycle-anything.”
A number of the companies listed in the directory are small ”mom-and-pop” businesses that are able to offer their services or wares nationwide through the 800 numbers, Engel said. Plenty of unusual goods or services can be found.Crimestoppers, too
And there is a category of hot-line telephone numbers for groups such as Crimestoppers, the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation and Parents Anonymous. There even are some toll-free government lines, separated by states. ”If you want to complain about something, you certainly don`t want to pay for the phone call,” Engel said.
The use of toll-free numbers has soared since AT&T first established them 21 years ago. Last year more than 6 billion calls were made with 800 numbers, according to AT&T, more than double the number of calls made the year before. The consumer directory, which is $9.95 plus shipping costs, can be ordered, of course, through an 800 number. Call (800) 426-8686. As with all 800 numbers, don`t forget to dial 1 first, Engel said. –
