Back To The Free Voicemail Debacle

[trinnies_mom]

Ok, yesterday we established that PrivatePhone's free service will be disconnected in December 2007. I have been searching for other free services and thought I found a good one: Laserphone. Problem is this........I just signed up and they gave me a number and account but I realized that the number is not in my area code. This means that when I call to retrieve my messages, I will have to dial a (206) area code which is long distance for me. That means........it will cost me money everytime I retrieve my messages! So....unless you already live in Seattle, this service will cost you.

So!!! I started this thread in an attempt to find a voicemail service that is truly free (one that will give me a phone number in my area code). Can anyone help? Been looking on the web all morning and cant find anything. Post your ideas in this thread if you think you have the answer!

Thanks!
Kelly

[Madd4Money]

Ok, I've posted in other threads that www.aim.com also has a free voicemail service.  Now, when I signed up they did  not have any numbers in my area so I took the next biggest city.  There was NO CHARGE to listen to voicemail, since you sign in to your account and retrieve your voicemails on the computer....no dialing in to get them.  Problem was - when I did some offers and put in the different area code, the offer bounced back and said that the number did not match the area I lived in.....so 6 of one/half dozen of the other - private phone gave me a local number and I'm sorry to see it go.   

[trinnies_mom]

Thanks Madd4Money---I will have to try that!!

[Madd4Money]

Thanks Madd4Money---I will have to try that!!

No problem!  Glad to help.  If I come across any other free ones, I'll post them.   

[cathyallen]

Thanks for the update.  I guessed I missed the posts yesterday about private phone numbers being disconnected in December.         I hate that, I loved that service.   I will try aim.coom

[trinnies_mom]

Ok, I've posted in other threads that www.aim.com also has a free voicemail service.  Now, when I signed up they did  not have any numbers in my area so I took the next biggest city.  There was NO CHARGE to listen to voicemail, since you sign in to your account and retrieve your voicemails on the computer....no dialing in to get them.  Problem was - when I did some offers and put in the different area code, the offer bounced back and said that the number did not match the area I lived in.....so 6 of one/half dozen of the other - private phone gave me a local number and I'm sorry to see it go.   

Do you have to have AOL service to do this though? I have DSL. Can I still sign up?

[cheff1983]

if you dont want to pay to call the number i think you can still use skype to call the number for free. I haven't used skype in a while but i know you could make calls to anyone in the states for free. That solves having to pay the long distance but still does not solve having a local number for some of the offers.

[Madd4Money]

Ok, I've posted in other threads that www.aim.com also has a free voicemail service.  Now, when I signed up they did  not have any numbers in my area so I took the next biggest city.  There was NO CHARGE to listen to voicemail, since you sign in to your account and retrieve your voicemails on the computer....no dialing in to get them.  Problem was - when I did some offers and put in the different area code, the offer bounced back and said that the number did not match the area I lived in.....so 6 of one/half dozen of the other - private phone gave me a local number and I'm sorry to see it go.   

Do you have to have AOL service to do this though? I have DSL. Can I still sign up?

No you don't have to have AOL to get the AIM voicemail and yes, you can sign up with DSL.   

[trinnies_mom]

Wonderful! This works for me! I just signed up and got a phone number (in my area code), so everything should be cool beans from here on out! Lets hope they dont discontinue their free phone service a month after I sign up!

[Madd4Money]

Ok just an update on the free voicemails.  Another member posted elsewhere about GrandCentral.  I checked it out and unfortunately they are not accepting new members at this time.  Here is the message I received:

Your Reservation Has Been Confirmed

Thank you for your interest in GrandCentral. We will let you know as soon as we open up our service to more users. At that time you will be able to choose the specific phone number that you would like to use. We will make all possible efforts to ensure there are numbers in the area code or city you have selected, but there may be some areas where we won't have coverage. We'll do our best.

The GrandCentral Team

I would suggest, though, that anyone that is using privatephone right now, might want to at least sign up at GrandCentral to reserve a spot! 

[priceb]

Grand Central is invite only.  Search for "grand central invites" to find them.  I have been using the service for quite a while and really like it.  Espeically the fact that you can forward your calls to your real phone.

[Madd4Money]

Grand Central is invite only.  Search for "grand central invites" to find them.  I have been using the service for quite a while and really like it.  Espeically the fact that you can forward your calls to your real phone.

GrandCentral is currently a private beta service, which means you must receive an invite from GrandCentral or a GrandCentral user to sign up. Let us know where you would like a number in the form below and we will invite you as soon as the service is publicly available.

You can still sign up in the meantime!! 

[mountaindewman12345]

try aim phoneline

[oldbuddy]

I went through all this when I joined a few days ago and as soon as I get back from vacation (I'm gone all next week) I'm going with eVoice if nothing better comes along. It's $4.95 a month, but at least a paid service will provide better stability and support in my opinion.

[BlondeDragon]

Perhaps the only truly free voicemail, without hassles or downtimes, no real phone or computer needed, no hidden costs, is to hell with technology and use your own voice to yell over yonder and whomever can give ya a holler back.