DISCOVERY : 900 NUMBERS
It was arguably one of Richard Gere’s best lines in “Pretty Woman.”
“Where did you find her,” someone asked.
“976-BABE,” Gere smirked.
Funny on film, not so funny in fact. The tawdry image of 976--breathless women stroking lonely, faceless libidos at the opposite end of a telephone line--was creating way too much static among potential business users. So while 976 took the low road, along came the 900 system to take the higher road.
The 900 numbers are a high-power hybrid offspring of 976. Whereas its predecessor was only capable of a single recorded message, the 900 service can dispense several recorded messages from a single number. Callers with a touch-tone phone listen to a menu of choices on the main number and then select the desired extensions, one at a time.
It is the 900 number’s ability to let parties talk to one another, though, that really separates the tool from the toy. As a business means, the possibilities for doctors, lawyers, accountants, engineers, poll takers, et al are endless.
“There is a general agreement that the (900) business is coming of age,” said Sandy Hale, the marketing communications manager for Pacific Bell. “It’s another way to talk to your customers.”
A prime example is Tele-Lawyer. Since the Huntington Beach-based legal advice firm inaugurated its first lines last year, there has been a steady stream of calls from both business and private interests. Eight attorneys, each with a minimum of 10 years experience, answer questions ranging from business issues about labor, taxes, obtaining a resale license and “should I incorporate” to private concerns about real estate, divorce, bankruptcy, wills, landlord-tenant disputes and immigration--all at a cost of $3 per minute, far less than a visit to an attorney’s office.
“People are starved for information, and 900 is the most convenient, cost-effective way to obtain it,” said Michael A. Cane, president of Tele-Lawyer.
The flip side of the practical business applications is the entertainment value. Callers can meet and “date” in the privacy of their own homes, find out about horoscopes, what’s new with those New Kids on the Block, how well Jose Canseco swings, if 2 Live Crew should be allowed to be as nasty as they wanna be, if Chantal Marshall will finally realize she blew it when she sent the super-fine love of her life, Eric Royal, to prison, or if Erica will ditch boring Travis and go back to his super-hunk brother, Jackson Montgomery.
Even the Rams have joined the act. Their 2-month-old line has menu categories that fans can access to listen to updated information about game results, statistics, merchandising or interviews.
“It’s brand new. We wanted to provide it as a service,” said Pete Donovan, director of sales and promotions for the Rams. “For instance, for fans who can’t wait for the morning paper or for the news broadcasts, 60 minutes after each game they can find out how many yards Cleveland Gary rushed for or how many completed passes Jim Everett had.”
The 900 numbers are the latest rage. They listen to your opinions and want to hear about your troubles. They can be an inexpensive lawyer or a frugal tax accountant; the perfect yenta , or the ultimate in safe sex.
Whatever the need, 900 numbers are a great way to interact.
TALK IS CHEAP Here’s a sample of 900 lines--some Orange County specific, some not--that are available: Company: Tele-Lawyer umber: (900) 776-7000 Description of Service: Legal advice Cost (per minute): $3 Company: Rams Line Number: (900) RAM LINE Description of Service: Ram interviews, game results and statistics Cost (per minute): 95 cents Company: Surf Line Number: (900) 844-SURF Description of Service: Surfing information and ski reports Cost (per minute): 85 cents for the first minute; 15 cents each additional 30 seconds Company: Scratch Line Number: (900) 370-2333 Description of Service: Los Alamitos Race Track pre-race analysis, etc. Cost (per minute): 95 cents Company: ABC Soap Talk Number: (900) 850-8000 Description of Service: Updates on ABC’s daytime dramas Cost (per minute): 60 cents for the first minute; 45 cents for each additional minute Company: NBC Soap Line Number: (900) 650-4622 Description of Service: Updates on NBC’s daytime dramas Cost (per minute): $1 for the first minute; 45 cents for each additional minute Company: New Kids on the Block Number: (900) 909-5543 Description of Service: Tidbits on what the Kids are up to Cost (per minute): $2 for the first minute; 45 cents for each additional minute Company: Money Hot Line Number: (900) 454-3000 Description of Service: Quotes on specific stocks, highs and lows Cost (per minute): 95 cents Company: Macintosh Help Line Number: (900) 226-6002 Description of Service: Consultations on systems and/or software problems Cost (per minute): $5 Company: Dial Sports Number: (900) 300-1313 Description of Service: Sports information and scores Cost (per minute): 75 cents Company: Horoscope Line Number: (900) 370-2662 Description of Service: Detailed daily horoscopes by Sydney Omarr Cost (per minute): $1 Source: AT&T;, Pacific Bell
