Jeff, this one looks very interesting to me. This gives people access without giving them my personal numbers!

UPDATE: As I was reading this again for any errors I might have left in the text, I realized... hmmm what if someone clicks the call me button at right now at 12:20am? So, I logged back in and sure enough there is a solution for those time when you DON'T want to be found.

It's the QuickRule box located in the top right corner of the account main page. Click on that button and a control panel slides down from the top of the browser. It allows you to send all phone calls to voicemail or set a temporary forwarding number. Nice.

Jeff, thanks for always giving us heads up on the great technology out there.   I'm checking this out as well.

Jeff,

Thanks for the post. Is there really ever a time when you don't want to talk? LOL! Thanks for another gem!

William, did you actually just crack a smile?  I've seen you all over the Rain and have even commented on what a gentleman you are but I've never seen you "LOL"  Way to go Jeff!

Maggie,

Jeff has that unassuming demeanor that gets under the skin and causes you to do things you otherwise wouldn't or maybe its in his eyes! Where's TLW when you need her?

William, you're actually quite funny.  Let's see if we can get TLW in on this.  Thanks for being a sport.

Sorry for derailing your post Jeff!

Sounds cool, but I'm not as popular as you so I don't need this...yet!!  And I will beware of the #4 button when we talk so I can't be blackmailed!  ;)

Sweet dude. I use a similar service that is paid ($10/month). I like this one also so i signed up and grabbed a number. will use for some different marketing. thanks! :)

William, we missed each other when I was in NJ last week!

Maggie, you don't need TLW to hijack one of my posts... you're doing fine all by yourself. She'd be proud!  :)

Rochell, I would never record someone without their knowing it. OK, maybe that's not true. I would never record someone without their knowing it and then use it to blackmail them... OK, well maybe that's not true either. :) 

Nick, sometimes free is not better than paid, but in this case free is pretty darn good! What is the name of the service you are paying for? 

Alll... I just found this on their website:

"GrandCentral is commited to helping those in need stay connected by offering individuals a local phone number and voicemail box for life. Through our Project CARE initiative, GrandCentral is providing, free of charge, a local phone number and voicemail box to members of the homeless community in San Francisco. We hope to extend this program nationwide as we build out our services."

Listen To Some Stories Here 

Combine a great product with a great way to use the product to help others and you have my attention!

This sounds like an awesome tech toy.  I'm off to check it out.  Thanks!

Jim & Maria, so far I'm digging it. I can see some real potential for this as a way to post testimonials. Since it records your messages to mp3 and makes every message available in an embed format for posting, it's perfect.

Hi Jeff. in this case, I would say the free is doing just fine. They each have some features that the other service doesn't, i think. I record all calls through that line, and everyone is notified of that when they call. Its sure does cut down on the telemarketers :)    the service doubles as a Fax also. its via Phoneboxetc.com, but i dont think they have the ability for all the states. This GrandCentral is a good one. I may convert entirely over eventually.

Nick, let us know if you run into any hiccups. So far, I'm liking all of their features. The ability to transfer from my cell phone to my office phone without losing the connection at the touch of the "*" key is nice.

I love all these things you are pointing out.  I went to look at this one and (as with all things) people think that Boise is the only city in Idaho.  Bummer.  Since we are 8 hours north of Boise in a much more beautiful city ;), I'm out of luck at the moment.

I have it bookmarked though - thanks! 

Hi Jeff,

It sounds great.  It would work out well for me because I do not get cell phone service at my home and therefore, cannot even forward my cell to my home number, but... Grandcentral does not service my town.

I emailed them; maybe they'll add us.

Fran

Fran and Christina... sorry to hear they are not in your area yet. I'm going to email them right now to increase the load of requests for both of your areas.

Too bad they don't have my area code. Ironic, that they have my son's rural area code but not our metro one. I've passed the information on for him to sign up. Thanks for the research and testing.

I love your title for this post!  I am working on trying to create "read-generating" titles like that.  It definitely made me click and read!

Thanks for the post.

You are a man with a wealth of knowledge.   I am not trying to "fluff" you but, being still a semi-newbie, I feel very lucky to have you as a member and contributor here on this format.

Thanks again for the information.

this is awesome Jeff.

in less then 60 seconds, I signed up, and have a "click to call" button on one of my Zionsville and Anson Real Estate blogs.

I need to see if I can make the "call" button smaller, it doesn't work well with my formatting...

this sounds like a great option for the Jeff Belonger Hot Seat or any other interview process

as an mp3, can you download it?  so I could put it on my iPod or listen to it on my iPaq?

Julie Ferenzi has a good "radio" voice

btw... The Goal is a great book... I did a post on it. Very approachable as it reads like fiction

Jeff,

Are you still using this service? How has it continued to work for you? If you could let me know before I sign up for it I would apprecate it.

Thanks

Steve, I still use it and love it. It is the main number I now give out in my email communications. It rings both my cell and office at the same time, so it's perfect. And... the voice messages are delivered to me via email. 

I just signed up.  I've been on a waiting list since July when Joe and Rudy visited Ohio on Blog Tour USA.  I had obviously ignored their March post about Grand Central.  Jeff, Maggie etc. are you all still using Grand Central?

Maureen... my grand central number is the only one I typically give out now. It works great!