Suggestions on how to get a local number through PagePlus?
(sorry if this is in the wrong place)
I signed up a month ago, and am very happy except for this one thing...
I choose not to port my old number to PP because I'd moved and it's no longer a local number, hoping I could get a local number through PP. The number I was given was close... but still long distance for everybody in my area. The number is actually local for a small town about 1/2 hr west of me.
I called a couple days after signing up, but since I was in the talk n text plan, I couldn't change till the end a month was up.
Today I called back to switch, and after confirming I wanted to switch my number, was told there were no local numbers available. Not only that... but since I had "already started the switching process" the number I had started out with was now unavailable too.
So... I have a new random number... but would really like to get a local number eventually...
I've got Google Voice, and luckily gave everyone that number when I switched, otherwise this would be an unbearable mess. Sadly Google voice doesn't have any local numbers here either.
I just find it hard to believe that (according to the PP customer service) there's no way to check for available numbers without HAVING to change my current number. I don't want to change my number every day hoping a local number will be available. That's basically what I was told... to try again another day.
Do you have a specific area code that is acceptable or do you need a specific exchange within an area code?
I believe that Verizon may have access to more numbers than PPC, you might be able to get aprepaid number thru Verizon and then port the number to PPC.
I've got Google Voice, and luckily gave everyone that number when I switched, otherwise this would be an unbearable mess. Sadly Google voice doesn't have any local numbers here either.
I just find it hard to believe that (according to the PP customer service) there's no way to check for available numbers without HAVING to change my current number. I don't want to change my number every day hoping a local number will be available. That's basically what I was told... to try again another day.
Yeah, I don't know of any way to check Page Plus' system. We can just change the number and hope for the best. Hopefully UncleAndy's idea will work. It's been done before, and as long as nothing has changed in the past year, it should work for you.
Chances are pretty good that you can get a local number on your phone, but maybe not directly from Page Plus. Before I suggest ways to get a number, a little more information from you would be helpful.
Do you have a landline phone with your local telco? If so, does your local phone company offer "ringmaster" or a "distinctive ring" service at a reasonable rate?
Where do you live (now--zip code or city/state is enough information)?
What are the first six digits of a local phone number (such as a restaurant, store, hotel, or your landline if you have one) in your city/town? (Choose a number from which you'd want to be able to make a "local call" TO your page plus phone.)
Edit to add: As others are writing here, my suggestion involves getting the number you want and porting it. The information you provide will help determine what options are available in terms of where to get that number from.
It looks like you can get one from VZW prepaid. It would be a Decorah number (563-419-xxxx). The downside of getting a number from VZW prepaid is that you'd have to purchase a handset from them (or secondhand) that you then would not be able to use on Page Plus.
You might find a less expensive option if you look into a PAYGO VoIP provider (callcentric.com or voip.ms)--both can get Decorah numbers, after a one or two days backorder. Once the number is assigned to you and your account is set up, though, you can likely have it forward to your current cell number (each call would be charged some cents/min--price would depend on provider and plan chosen) until the port is processed. In asking about 'ringmaster' service, I was going to suggest that you order it from your telco (a second number that, when called, rings your landline with a distinctive ring pattern so you know which number was dialed) and then port that number to Page Plus. Since you have basic service, though, ordering that service by itself would probably cost at least $5-10/mo plus a one-time fee of $15-20--not worth it.
For future reference, if you ever want to see what numbers are "local calls" to any other number, there is a fantastic website called local calling guide that has all sorts of information about telephone numbers. Here's a link to their info on the 563-370 numbers: http://www.localcallingguide.com/lca...s=0&nextdays=0 Click on "Decorah" in the table to see the wide array of metropolitan areas you can call without incurring long distance charges...
You can request an area code and exchange when requesting a number, we get the numbers the same way Verizon does. If its available it assigns it else it will find a number that is close.. Every day there are additions and delitions in numbers so it fluxuates... I tried to get a 419343 number for my personal phone on Monday and all it kept giving me was 567 numbers.. today I tried and bam got a 419343 number.. so it depends on the stock of numbers...
Here is a thought... do they have a local prepaid carier where you are? Get their service for 1 month (maybe you know someone with a phone u can use) and just port ur new local number to PP - get best of both... Local number u ported from the local company and coverage of PP ;-) (have had a few customers do this as everytime they tried to get a local number (through verizon and PP) kept getting a number that was longdistance to them)
I had similar issues a while back. I live in Chillicothe, OH and ported my wife and I in just fine. But any customers I tried to activate wound up with numbers from nearby Circleville. I called a local dealer who gave me the prefix that Page Plus numbers were assigned. I then got on the phone with Page Plus and discovered they had an option when assigning numbers that dealers do not. I was given a Point of Contact within Page Plus who got back with me after a few days and told me it had been resolved. Now when I ask for a number in my zip code it gives me the right exchange. I suggest you call Page Plus and discuss the issue and ask for some assistance from someone other than a CSR. It's obviously a little over their head.
I had similar issues a while back. I live in Chillicothe, OH and ported my wife and I in just fine. But any customers I tried to activate wound up with numbers from nearby Circleville. I called a local dealer who gave me the prefix that Page Plus numbers were assigned. I then got on the phone with Page Plus and discovered they had an option when assigning numbers that dealers do not. I was given a Point of Contact within Page Plus who got back with me after a few days and told me it had been resolved. Now when I ask for a number in my zip code it gives me the right exchange. I suggest you call Page Plus and discuss the issue and ask for some assistance from someone other than a CSR. It's obviously a little over their head.
Its not over their heads.. we can choose a city, zip code or by areacode and prefix ie 419343 but if there are no numbers it defaults to closest city/number. Most CSR's know what they are doing but with the volume of calls and the quality of the callers some may be reluctant to go that extra mile unless your a dealer and are nice when you first start the call... ive had dealers that call in completley rude and they dont get the same quality of service.. if your rude at the start.. you are going to get 1 issue resolved even if u only have 2 things... now call in and be nice and u will get everything done in that one call.. its all about how nicely you start the conversation.. I will go out of my way and help manually program a phone if the caller has been generally nice and hasnt cussed me out in the call... do i manually program every call... not usually but most times ill sit on the call with the caller until its programmed correctly... *i know this a rant ish sorry for taking this moment to rant*
But anyhow .. most CSR's know what they are doing.. it just depends... if your having issues getting numbers by all means ask for further assistance.. but all of the people at page plus use the same screens to get a number.. if there is one we will get it otherwise maybe wait a day or two for a few numbers to be recycled and re-used...
FYI... I'm going with the callcentric.com option, still waiting for my local number to be assigned, but for < $10 I'll have a Decorah number that I can port to PP.
In what I'm sure is a huge shock to everyone... messing with Verizon was going to be an expensive pain.
I was in the same boat when I first got PP. Number being a half hour away. I filled out a trouble ticket explaining the problem and they gave me a local number and I didn't lose my balance. Maybe I was lucky.
I just set up several Google Voice accounts and requested specific area codes for each one. Definitely try to get a local number with Google Voice. Not exactly sure at which step it is, but you'll get the chance to request the area code you want for your Google Voice number.
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Originally Posted by pointNumberOne
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