#32: A new 411 service opens

A few weeks ago I met Andre Vanier, CEO of 1-800-411-SAVE (my friend Ajay, the guy with the cool geek car, introduced us). I was intrigued by his new business and he’s on the phone with me announcing his new service that turns on tonight at midnight.

It’s a 411 service. You know, you call his number as directory assistance. Boring, right? Well, as he educated me about how the phone companies make money off of this service, it got a lot less boring to me.

411 is a legal monopoly of the carriers, he says. The carriers are regulated by states. They charge $.40 to $.70 per 411 call in some states. In most states, he says, the carriers are unregulated on 411 and charge $1.25 each 411 call. Yeah, you might get some calls for free, but not always.

The situation is even worse with cell phones. Up to $1.75 on cell phones each call with no freebies on many carriers.

We are considerably cheaper, he says. 1-800-411-SAVE is  a free call.

His service is using the same database that the carriers use to provide 411 information. This service is using the latest data the big phone companies use (they are forced to share that data with other phone carriers), while many of the Internet-based services are using much older and less complete databases.

What’s the business model? 1-800-411-SAVE pays for the cost of the 411 call. The model is to recover the cost from advertisers. Not just any advertisers but specifically advertisers that fit into the overall concept of “save.”

“It was no accident that we picked the phone number 1-800-411-SAVE,” he says. What they found is that the idea is bigger than just saving the money on the phone call, but is also about saving on offers from great brands. They believe that people will use the service to get specials from retailers and other service offerers.

It is launching in the San Francisco Bay Area tonight. Working to get user feedback. Dramatically expanding this to the Bay Area. They are looking to get consumer reactions to what they like and don’t like. If you live elsewhere there’s still a way to participate.

Anyway, I do not receive any revenue or other considerations from this service (if I ever do, I’ll disclose that). It’s just a business I learned about over breakfast one day and wanted to share it with you.

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41 thoughts on “#32: A new 411 service opens

  1. How does this compare against 1-800-FREE-411. They seem to have the same business model (free service – makes me listen to targeted ads)

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  2. How does this compare against 1-800-FREE-411. They seem to have the same business model (free service – makes me listen to targeted ads)

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  3. Geee, thanks for the infommerical, altho your Web 2.0 Miss Blodgett won’t be proud. Also when I tried FREE, they don’t GIVE you the phone number, they just ‘hook’ you to the number, making you listen to a commercial all the while, and doing misdirectional sponsor tricks, call for Pizza Hut, but wouldn’t you like Domino’s instead…blah blah blah. Good I guess, but then overcoming online databases and making that number sticky are going to be a hard case to make.

    Not sure if SAVE is same way. But sure seems ripe for a fallout. You will need to spend millions making 411-SAVE or FREE-411 well-known. Already I am confused, FREE or SAVE? My guess? 1-800-411-DEAD.

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  4. Geee, thanks for the infommerical, altho your Web 2.0 Miss Blodgett won’t be proud. Also when I tried FREE, they don’t GIVE you the phone number, they just ‘hook’ you to the number, making you listen to a commercial all the while, and doing misdirectional sponsor tricks, call for Pizza Hut, but wouldn’t you like Domino’s instead…blah blah blah. Good I guess, but then overcoming online databases and making that number sticky are going to be a hard case to make.

    Not sure if SAVE is same way. But sure seems ripe for a fallout. You will need to spend millions making 411-SAVE or FREE-411 well-known. Already I am confused, FREE or SAVE? My guess? 1-800-411-DEAD.

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  5. I agree completely with Christopher. This idea will be a dead duck in a couple of years. Text messaging GOOGL will kill it.

    Funny thing though. I tried calling 1-800-411-SAVE twice just now. The first time I got some kind of porno operator. I tried again and got a message telling me that from my area code I’d have to pay $1.00 to use the service. I’m in San Jose – in the Bay Area. Doesn’t sound like much of a deal to me!

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  6. I agree completely with Christopher. This idea will be a dead duck in a couple of years. Text messaging GOOGL will kill it.

    Funny thing though. I tried calling 1-800-411-SAVE twice just now. The first time I got some kind of porno operator. I tried again and got a message telling me that from my area code I’d have to pay $1.00 to use the service. I’m in San Jose – in the Bay Area. Doesn’t sound like much of a deal to me!

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  7. I only got a ‘Bay Area only’ kick off (Sacramento is on the dark side of the Moon for what all the Techie Hippies in Frisco people think). 😉 But a friend on IM dead-central San Fran, near Pine’ish, said he got some costs $1 something, he was ticked. I guess I might owe him a buck. SAVE? It’s the 411 dollar store? What? Well that was a great first impression.

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  8. I only got a ‘Bay Area only’ kick off (Sacramento is on the dark side of the Moon for what all the Techie Hippies in Frisco people think). 😉 But a friend on IM dead-central San Fran, near Pine’ish, said he got some costs $1 something, he was ticked. I guess I might owe him a buck. SAVE? It’s the 411 dollar store? What? Well that was a great first impression.

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  9. I tried calling in and also got the $1 prompt. Funny thing about the prompt is they claim they can directly bill your phone bill, like a 900 number would? Is that even possible?

    I tried going to their website but it was misformatted on my web browser, and I couldn’t find the web registration page at all.

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  10. I tried calling in and also got the $1 prompt. Funny thing about the prompt is they claim they can directly bill your phone bill, like a 900 number would? Is that even possible?

    I tried going to their website but it was misformatted on my web browser, and I couldn’t find the web registration page at all.

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  11. I tried calling in and also got the $1 prompt. Funny thing about the prompt is they claim they can directly bill your phone bill, like a 900 number would? Is that even possible??

    I tried going to their website but it was misformatted on my web browser, and I couldn’t find the web registration page at all.

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  12. I tried calling in and also got the $1 prompt. Funny thing about the prompt is they claim they can directly bill your phone bill, like a 900 number would? Is that even possible??

    I tried going to their website but it was misformatted on my web browser, and I couldn’t find the web registration page at all.

    Like

  13. Saw the posts and wanted to clarify a couple things.

    The beta launch covers the SF Bay Area 408, 415, 510, 650 and 925 area codes. We are allowing a
    limited number of folks who live elsewhere to participate in the beta if they’ll give us feedback.

    We actually do give you the number you are looking for, even if you choose to check out the sponsor.
    And, you speak immediately to a live agent rather than a speech system.

    A message about paying one dollar (or paying anything for that matter) doesn’t exist in our repertoire. If you aren’t part of the beta, you’ll hear our standard message telling you that our free service is not yet available in your area.

    Cheers,
    Andre Vanier

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  14. Saw the posts and wanted to clarify a couple things.

    The beta launch covers the SF Bay Area 408, 415, 510, 650 and 925 area codes. We are allowing a
    limited number of folks who live elsewhere to participate in the beta if they’ll give us feedback.

    We actually do give you the number you are looking for, even if you choose to check out the sponsor.
    And, you speak immediately to a live agent rather than a speech system.

    A message about paying one dollar (or paying anything for that matter) doesn’t exist in our repertoire. If you aren’t part of the beta, you’ll hear our standard message telling you that our free service is not yet available in your area.

    Cheers,
    Andre Vanier

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  15. Doesn’t exist in our repertoire? Calling us liars? While I can’t speak from personal experience, I have 3 people on IM (who are kinda ticked at me for making them call) and then one on this message board that says different. So what gives? Glitch? The Case of the Mysterious Dollar? Set Nancy Drew on it! 🙂

    Anyways, snooze, I haven’t used regular 411 in nearly a decade, won’t here either.

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  16. Doesn’t exist in our repertoire? Calling us liars? While I can’t speak from personal experience, I have 3 people on IM (who are kinda ticked at me for making them call) and then one on this message board that says different. So what gives? Glitch? The Case of the Mysterious Dollar? Set Nancy Drew on it! 🙂

    Anyways, snooze, I haven’t used regular 411 in nearly a decade, won’t here either.

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  17. It worked fine for me (i.e., no $1 message) calling from my 415 phone. The operator found my listing, but I wasn’t connected to it…just dead air. I’m not sure how they’ll make money at this if they have to staff all of their calls. Seems to me you’d want to put a voice recognition system in there. But, of course I work for a company that does voice recognition systems for 411…

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  18. It worked fine for me (i.e., no $1 message) calling from my 415 phone. The operator found my listing, but I wasn’t connected to it…just dead air. I’m not sure how they’ll make money at this if they have to staff all of their calls. Seems to me you’d want to put a voice recognition system in there. But, of course I work for a company that does voice recognition systems for 411…

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  19. Another venture-backed silicon valley startup:
    ******************************
    1-800-411-METRO >> by Infreeda
    ******************************
    has launched a pilot for FREE directory assistance. This service is nationwide…right now. Voice-based search (aka “411”) is the way people conduct “local search” when they are mobile >> this is the user behavior. Google SMS, will take time to change American user behavior. American’s are a very voice-centric culture, seems like these new free “411” services are a smart way to get quick adoption by saving the consumer a quick buck-fifty. Save $1.50 to listen to 10sec ad, sign me up!

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  20. Another venture-backed silicon valley startup:
    ******************************
    1-800-411-METRO >> by Infreeda
    ******************************
    has launched a pilot for FREE directory assistance. This service is nationwide…right now. Voice-based search (aka “411”) is the way people conduct “local search” when they are mobile >> this is the user behavior. Google SMS, will take time to change American user behavior. American’s are a very voice-centric culture, seems like these new free “411” services are a smart way to get quick adoption by saving the consumer a quick buck-fifty. Save $1.50 to listen to 10sec ad, sign me up!

    Like

  21. 800-411-SAVE is back and better than ever! For callers that have used the service in the past like myself…I’m thrilled to have it back! For those of you trying to find the best free DA service which is live operator supported, 1-800-411-SAVE is my choice.

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  22. 800-411-SAVE is back and better than ever! For callers that have used the service in the past like myself…I’m thrilled to have it back! For those of you trying to find the best free DA service which is live operator supported, 1-800-411-SAVE is my choice.

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  23. You will be having lots of choices when it comes to free directory assistance. Sadly, not all of them were offering the services you expect them to have. Im so glad I tried 1-800-411-SAVE! From them I experienced ready to help live operators which gave me fast and accurate listings. The good news is that they dont just offer business listings, they also have residential ones.. Its really economical to have this kind of service during these days.. Check out this video then you’ll find out why. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLvUGXL4oCY

    Like

  24. You will be having lots of choices when it comes to free directory assistance. Sadly, not all of them were offering the services you expect them to have. Im so glad I tried 1-800-411-SAVE! From them I experienced ready to help live operators which gave me fast and accurate listings. The good news is that they dont just offer business listings, they also have residential ones.. Its really economical to have this kind of service during these days.. Check out this video then you’ll find out why. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLvUGXL4oCY

    Like

  25. I’ve been looking for a perfect 411 service that wouldnt hurt my pocket, and I recently discovered 1800411save..This for me is the best! With live friendly agents, accurate phone numbers and fast service, you wouldnt go wrong! Try it to believe it.

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  26. I’ve been looking for a perfect 411 service that wouldnt hurt my pocket, and I recently discovered 1800411save..This for me is the best! With live friendly agents, accurate phone numbers and fast service, you wouldnt go wrong! Try it to believe it.

    Like

  27. Personally, I like to use 1-800-411-SAVE as I hate those free DA services that trap you in an automated system. They’re ok with the easy stuff but I found another free service (800-411-SAVE) this weekend with real people answering the phone.  I guarantee you’ll prefer talking to people.

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  28. Personally, I like to use 1-800-411-SAVE as I hate those free DA services that trap you in an automated system. They’re ok with the easy stuff but I found another free service (800-411-SAVE) this weekend with real people answering the phone.  I guarantee you’ll prefer talking to people.

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  29. Learning about 1800 411 save is really a big surprise for me.Who would imagine that you can still get something valueable for no cost at all. And its a lot better coz a live and friendly operator is always available to provide me with the accurate information I needed..Try it friends! That’s absolutely FREE.

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  30. Learning about 1800 411 save is really a big surprise for me.Who would imagine that you can still get something valueable for no cost at all. And its a lot better coz a live and friendly operator is always available to provide me with the accurate information I needed..Try it friends! That’s absolutely FREE.

    Like

  31. I have been looking for ways to cut costs and last night they talked about using a free 411 service instead of dialing 411. Doing some surfing on the net has landed me here and looking at the comments it sounds as if a free service has been available for a long time. I wish I had known about this earlier!!! But in any case, I’m glad the services are available and FREE!! I’ve tried three services as a test to see which one I should store in my phone and found that both 1-800-Goog-411 & 1-800-FREE-411 were horrible!!!! I tried to simply look for my kid’s pediatrician and neither service was successful!! I was about ready to give up on this whole FREE business but decided to give 1-800-411-SAVE a try, SUCCESS!!!! 1-800-411-SAVE was amazing, I didn’t have to repeat myself 10 times for a machine and I talked with a real person. I am definitely sticking with 1-800-411-SAVE and will pass on the word to everyone I know; wish someone would have told me about it sooner!!

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  32. I have been looking for ways to cut costs and last night they talked about using a free 411 service instead of dialing 411. Doing some surfing on the net has landed me here and looking at the comments it sounds as if a free service has been available for a long time. I wish I had known about this earlier!!! But in any case, I’m glad the services are available and FREE!! I’ve tried three services as a test to see which one I should store in my phone and found that both 1-800-Goog-411 & 1-800-FREE-411 were horrible!!!! I tried to simply look for my kid’s pediatrician and neither service was successful!! I was about ready to give up on this whole FREE business but decided to give 1-800-411-SAVE a try, SUCCESS!!!! 1-800-411-SAVE was amazing, I didn’t have to repeat myself 10 times for a machine and I talked with a real person. I am definitely sticking with 1-800-411-SAVE and will pass on the word to everyone I know; wish someone would have told me about it sooner!!

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  33. I have nothing more to say than to agree with what karen, phil, and argee has to say about 1-800-411SAVE! they were all right! I tried it myself and it awesomely worked for me. This service would definitely save me money.

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  34. I have nothing more to say than to agree with what karen, phil, and argee has to say about 1-800-411SAVE! they were all right! I tried it myself and it awesomely worked for me. This service would definitely save me money.

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  35. Have you tried 1-800-infofast? 1-800-463-6327? They have live operators…NO ads.
    They connect you free and text you the information all free. I’ve tried them all and think this one is the very best. They have business and residential.

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  36. Have you tried 1-800-infofast? 1-800-463-6327? They have live operators…NO ads.
    They connect you free and text you the information all free. I’ve tried them all and think this one is the very best. They have business and residential.

    Like

  37. Does 1800infofast offer directions? Can they do a reverse number or address search?Do they have government listings? If they dont, I’ll stick to 411save since they have all these services. These services, personally, help me in different ways.

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  38. Does 1800infofast offer directions? Can they do a reverse number or address search?Do they have government listings? If they dont, I’ll stick to 411save since they have all these services. These services, personally, help me in different ways.

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