[mdesi]

Hi all,

When you were deciding to start a number for expectant mother contacts which did you choose?

I read that 1-800 numbers were better b/c everyone knows that they are free. However, people have been using 1-888 numbers for almost 20 years now, so does it make a big difference?

Melissa

[CourtneynCarl]

Are you advertising nationally, or just focusing on local adoption? We considered a 800 or 888 number, but in the end we just got an additional local number on a cell phone. Since the majority of people have cells, we decided that the possiblility of it being a long distance call was not much of an issue. We weighed the advantge of having a cell that I could carry 24 hours aday and be able to answer it personally (versus VM or machine), and the chance that someone did not have a cell - and decided to gamble on the mobile phone. In the end, we were matched with someone who is in a different area code, living in a shelter, who can only contact us through her mobile phone. I really think that the fact that she can call me anytime and I can answer her - really helps her feel better.

Just my 2cents. I know it is overwhelming all of the decisions that need to be made!

Courtney