Does lack of an 800 Telephone number deter ordering from parts houses?

[DICK SPADARO]

Hi guys this is like a survey. I'd appreciate some input.

Most of us in business have an 800 style number to help generate business but the question is now becoming to what extent is it a help or liability. Since the expansion of cellular phone use it appears that most people now use their cell phones to make calls and most people have unlimited calling plans or even bundled unlimited packaged plans combined with internet use.

Whether you know it or not if you use your cell phone to make a call on an 800 number you are billing the owner of the 800 number for the call that is being placed on your unlimited call account for the time duration. Your call may use up some of your minutes but the 800 owner pays for accepting it, so you pay in minutes, 800 owner pays in cash like a little double dip.

This was brought up by another business associate when we were discussing expenses incurred in doing business as an area that needed to be addressed. Since the cost of an 800 number is factored into the cost of goods sold would it be better to eliminate the free phone number to help cut down a business expense and use this as a way to control price inflation on products meaning a potential of less inflation on parts prices. Or do you need the toll free number to be the significant motivational factor for you to purchase from a vendor?

What is your take on this? 800#Important to have or no, 800# not that important.

Thanks for your thoughts, DS