nauru wrote:When I try to dial us 1800 number I get the message that the number isn't available from my calling area. Anyone know a workaround for this? Thanks.
TheHardy wrote:nauru wrote:When I try to dial us 1800 number I get the message that the number isn't available from my calling area. Anyone know a workaround for this? Thanks.
Several suggestions ...
Owners of 800-ish numbers can set a regional block on their numbers. This is because they pay for the incoming calls. They can set it to only accept incoming calls from US area codes, or from regional area codes .... so if you are trying to call a West Coast number, they can restrict that only people west of the Rockies can dial it from certain area codes.
Before I post ways around this, please feel free to PM me the 800 number you are trying to call, as well as the company name, and I will look into this too and see what I can find for you.
a) try calling from a different area code -- as above, regional call blocking/routing. I cannot call a TORONTO-based 800 number from my Vancouver-based FPL #, but I can from my friends' Newmarket-based one.
b) For US-based numbers specifically, you can use a little trick I found, using Vonage V-access numbers. While their main purpose is to allow Vonage customers to call each other without charge, they also route to 800-ish numbers. This trick works VERY VERY well for calling region-restricted 800 numbers which are only available to US customers.
If you need to find V-access numbers for your area, please don't hesitate to reply with your location, and I will provide them for you!
Bloodsong wrote:+1
Excellent idea with the V-access numbers Hardy.
Also check with SipBroker to see if the company you are trying to call has a SipBroker account. You can pull a local access number from their website, call it, and then punch in the companies SipBroker extension.
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