Comments on: Free Long Distance Calls via Google Maps http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2007/02/21/free-long-distance-calls-via-google-maps/ personal finance tips, tricks, and commentary Sat, 21 Nov 2009 18:35:25 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=abc hourly 1 By: MEoip http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2007/02/21/free-long-distance-calls-via-google-maps/comment-page-1/#comment-114047 MEoip Sun, 30 Dec 2007 16:04:35 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2007/02/21/free-long-distance-calls-via-google-maps/#comment-114047 Google did discontinue the click to call feature but don't fear there are other ways. Google bought a company called GrandCentral. It's a phone number for life concept, if you call my number both my house and cellphone ring. I have an online phone book with all the numbers I call (businesses, friends, family, etc). The best part, I have a local landline because I have DSL Internet. I pay something like $6 for the line (it has 0 outgoing calls but unlimited incoming) using GrandCentral in the same way the click to call map feature was used. I can make unlimited local and long distance phone calls. This comes out to be about a $45 + tax dollar value in my area all for $6 + tax. I have a few invites I can give away if folks are interested. You'll need to get me an email address Google did discontinue the click to call feature but don’t fear there are other ways. Google bought a company called GrandCentral. It’s a phone number for life concept, if you call my number both my house and cellphone ring. I have an online phone book with all the numbers I call (businesses, friends, family, etc).
The best part, I have a local landline because I have DSL Internet. I pay something like $6 for the line (it has 0 outgoing calls but unlimited incoming) using GrandCentral in the same way the click to call map feature was used. I can make unlimited local and long distance phone calls. This comes out to be about a $45 + tax dollar value in my area all for $6 + tax.
I have a few invites I can give away if folks are interested. You’ll need to get me an email address

]]> By: bonnie http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2007/02/21/free-long-distance-calls-via-google-maps/comment-page-1/#comment-78476 bonnie Tue, 17 Jul 2007 19:36:39 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2007/02/21/free-long-distance-calls-via-google-maps/#comment-78476 I notice that I was the last one to comment on this topic a couple of months ago. I had been using Google occasionally for long distance calls to businesses, and I see now that they must have discontinued this feature. The "call" icon isn't there anymore. nickel (or anyone else), do you know anything about it? I will miss it! I notice that I was the last one to comment on this topic a couple of months ago. I had been using Google occasionally for long distance calls to businesses, and I see now that they must have discontinued this feature. The “call” icon isn’t there anymore. nickel (or anyone else), do you know anything about it? I will miss it!

]]> By: bonnie http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2007/02/21/free-long-distance-calls-via-google-maps/comment-page-1/#comment-77847 bonnie Thu, 24 May 2007 15:07:38 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2007/02/21/free-long-distance-calls-via-google-maps/#comment-77847 Moe -- Start by going to Google Maps (maps.google.com) In the search box, type in a business name and click on "Search Maps." (This only works for businesses, and not residential addresses, as nickel pointed out.) This should bring up a list of choices with phone numbers. Find the number you want to call, and next to the phone number you should see "call." Click on "call" and it brings up a place to enter your own phone number. Enter your number and click on "connect for free." It only takes a few seconds until your phone will ring. Pick it up and you'll hear a computer voice say "connecting" and pretty soon the phone starts ringing at the place you are calling. They will answer the phone as though you had placed the call directly to them, even though Google dialed it. (And paid for it!) I've noticed that when my phone rings, if I wait long enough for the Caller ID to register before I pick up, Caller ID shows the place I am calling, as though that business called me. It really is a free long distance call. I hope this helps -- give it a try! As Zach mentioned, I also haven't spread this around too much because I don't want Google to discontinue it. By the way, Zach, how does one list a business with Google? I actually have a business, but I don't know how to list it. Moe — Start by going to Google Maps (maps.google.com) In the search box, type in a business name and click on “Search Maps.” (This only works for businesses, and not residential addresses, as nickel pointed out.) This should bring up a list of choices with phone numbers. Find the number you want to call, and next to the phone number you should see “call.” Click on “call” and it brings up a place to enter your own phone number. Enter your number and click on “connect for free.” It only takes a few seconds until your phone will ring. Pick it up and you’ll hear a computer voice say “connecting” and pretty soon the phone starts ringing at the place you are calling. They will answer the phone as though you had placed the call directly to them, even though Google dialed it. (And paid for it!) I’ve noticed that when my phone rings, if I wait long enough for the Caller ID to register before I pick up, Caller ID shows the place I am calling, as though that business called me. It really is a free long distance call. I hope this helps — give it a try!

As Zach mentioned, I also haven’t spread this around too much because I don’t want Google to discontinue it.

By the way, Zach, how does one list a business with Google? I actually have a business, but I don’t know how to list it.

]]> By: Moe Zalmana http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2007/02/21/free-long-distance-calls-via-google-maps/comment-page-1/#comment-77725 Moe Zalmana Sun, 13 May 2007 20:20:57 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2007/02/21/free-long-distance-calls-via-google-maps/#comment-77725 hello, can someone please explain to me how you do this? I don't seem to understand... where do you go, what do you type in? hello,

can someone please explain to me how you do this? I don’t seem to understand… where do you go, what do you type in?

]]> By: Alexandra http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2007/02/21/free-long-distance-calls-via-google-maps/comment-page-1/#comment-68792 Alexandra Wed, 28 Feb 2007 14:24:29 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2007/02/21/free-long-distance-calls-via-google-maps/#comment-68792 Great tip, thanks! Great tip, thanks!

]]> By: Crediteria.com http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2007/02/21/free-long-distance-calls-via-google-maps/comment-page-1/#comment-68410 Crediteria.com Wed, 21 Feb 2007 23:08:24 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2007/02/21/free-long-distance-calls-via-google-maps/#comment-68410 Thanks for reminding me to pay attention! I saw that and set that in the back of my mind and promptly forgot it. I have also noticed the latest version of Skype is doing the same type of thing. It is certainly fun to watch the 'net grow and evolve! Thanks for reminding me to pay attention!

I saw that and set that in the back of my mind and promptly forgot it.

I have also noticed the latest version of Skype is doing the same type of thing.

It is certainly fun to watch the ‘net grow and evolve!

]]> By: Amy http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2007/02/21/free-long-distance-calls-via-google-maps/comment-page-1/#comment-68405 Amy Wed, 21 Feb 2007 20:48:04 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2007/02/21/free-long-distance-calls-via-google-maps/#comment-68405 Wow, I was not aware that they offered that! Thank you so much for sharing this tip! Wow, I was not aware that they offered that! Thank you so much for sharing this tip!

]]> By: Kelly http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2007/02/21/free-long-distance-calls-via-google-maps/comment-page-1/#comment-68399 Kelly Wed, 21 Feb 2007 16:44:37 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2007/02/21/free-long-distance-calls-via-google-maps/#comment-68399 That's a really cool trick! Thanks for sharing! Don't we all just love google! I have been trying anything to reduce my phone bill. Lately I've been using onesuite calling service to save money on my long distance. This trick will help when calling businesses. Thanks again! That’s a really cool trick! Thanks for sharing! Don’t we all just love google! I have been trying anything to reduce my phone bill. Lately I’ve been using onesuite calling service to save money on my long distance. This trick will help when calling businesses.
Thanks again!

]]> By: Blaine Moore http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2007/02/21/free-long-distance-calls-via-google-maps/comment-page-1/#comment-68396 Blaine Moore Wed, 21 Feb 2007 15:28:28 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2007/02/21/free-long-distance-calls-via-google-maps/#comment-68396 That's funny, Zach! Nice trick. This could be useful if I ever get close to using my minutes, though, since I have free incoming calls on my mobile and that would count as an incoming call. That’s funny, Zach! Nice trick.

This could be useful if I ever get close to using my minutes, though, since I have free incoming calls on my mobile and that would count as an incoming call.

]]> By: Zach http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2007/02/21/free-long-distance-calls-via-google-maps/comment-page-1/#comment-68395 Zach Wed, 21 Feb 2007 15:20:32 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2007/02/21/free-long-distance-calls-via-google-maps/#comment-68395 "Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to work for residential listings . . . " . . . which is why I've registered myself with Google as a business. Now I find my "business" on the map, and enter the number I want to call instead of my phone number. It rings them first with my name in the caller I.D., then connects us. Free call. I don't really want to spread this around for fear people will abuse it and Google will catch on, but it's fun to feel smarter than Google. (Is that possible? Surely not.) The only downside is being listed in their directory. I called myself a photographer, so if anyone calls and wants to pay me to take some pictures, I'll gladly comply. “Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem to work for residential listings . . . ”

. . . which is why I’ve registered myself with Google as a business. Now I find my “business” on the map, and enter the number I want to call instead of my phone number. It rings them first with my name in the caller I.D., then connects us. Free call.

I don’t really want to spread this around for fear people will abuse it and Google will catch on, but it’s fun to feel smarter than Google. (Is that possible? Surely not.)

The only downside is being listed in their directory. I called myself a photographer, so if anyone calls and wants to pay me to take some pictures, I’ll gladly comply.

]]> By: Seth http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2007/02/21/free-long-distance-calls-via-google-maps/comment-page-1/#comment-68389 Seth Wed, 21 Feb 2007 14:54:30 +0000 http://www.fivecentnickel.com/2007/02/21/free-long-distance-calls-via-google-maps/#comment-68389 Very interesting.. I'd never noticed that before. Thanks for sharing. Very interesting.. I’d never noticed that before. Thanks for sharing.

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