Im looking at purchasing a 1300 number for my upcoming business.Does anyone have any experience with these? do you recomend them? What should i look for in deals?
If you are looking to do it in the cheapest way then go to your phone company and ask for a 1300 # - there should be no set up cost. The ongoing monthly rental is usually $10 - $20.
If you have money to spend and want a number you can use as a 'phone word' i.e 1300 CALL ME - then go to www.smartnumbers.com.au - the government site that auctions the best numbers with a reserve of $500.
Unfortunately most of the best numbers were snapped up early on Smartnumbers by companies that then lease the number to businesses for hundreds or thousands of dollars a month. A rort. Especially when I saw that one of the most prolific buyers of smartnumbers was bankrolled by Telstra. Anyway that's a personal gripe
But the fastest and easiest way it to speak to your phone company. Telstra's standard business rate tends to be about 40% higher than what some of the other telcos offer, so I'd suggest getting a few quotes to compare.
Yes 1300 or 1800 numbers are a useful feature which many customers like as they can call you free of charge or for the cost of a local call.
You will find Telstra and Optus are quite expensive for 1300/1800 numbers and also seem to take quite sometime to setup everything.
Also something to consider is where you will redirect the number to as the redirection costs can be very different for a call number compared with a STD number or mobile.
The best thing I find with 1300 / 1800 numbers is that you can have them diverted to any number you like. Meaning that if you move, you wont have to re-print / change all your stationery / advertising / have your phone diverted etc.
You can also have the 1300 number divert to several land line / mobile numbers allowing more clients to get through to you.
We used to have problems with our line being engaged with 4 incoming lines. However now we route the 1800 number to one single DID (Voice over IP) number with 20 channels and if for some reason that fails, it then tries other numbers.
It also gives you the perception of being a larger business and thus more credibility.
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If you dont need a special 1300 no. which makes a word, then you can get one through any telephne company really. I got my no. through gotalk and this is via voip. For me its a win win situation as its mega cheap via voip and I forward the number to my mobile.
Unfortunately most of the best numbers were snapped up early on Smartnumbers by companies that then lease the number to businesses for hundreds or thousands of dollars a month. A rort. Especially when I saw that one of the most prolific buyers of smartnumbers was bankrolled by Telstra. Anyway that's a personal gripe
But the fastest and easiest way it to speak to your phone company. Telstra's standard business rate tends to be about 40% higher than what some of the other telcos offer, so I'd suggest getting a few quotes to compare.
I'd be happy to help anyone further with setting up a 1300 number. Just mention flyingsolo and I'd be happy to give you a 10% discount for life. You can check us out here: 1300 numbers
All I would add is you may as well get a 1800 number. If you compare the cost to a 1300 number the difference in very small. Oh.. and Telstra is one of the most expensive, worst run, and poorest deliverer of customer service businesses in the world imo.
purchasing a 1300 number. any tips??? 
