Posted by Glenn Strickler on 1/5/07 10:36pm
Msg #169531

Changing Phone Numbers

When I searched, I noticed no one has posted on this subject soooooo ......

One of the first rules of marketing this business that I heard was never to change your phone number.

I would be interested in hearing from those who have, what the problems or effect it has had concerning your business .....

Reply by TitleGalCA on 1/5/07 11:02pm
Msg #169538

Re: Changing Phone Numbers - I did

But first, Glenn...I don't do alot of SS work, none, in fact. When I changed my number I contacted everyone both via email and phone, so they could add the new number.

It is not easy, that's for sure but sometimes necessary. The key is to contact EVERYONE that might call you - so it's a lot of work. Changing it on the NR profile is the easy part. For your best clients, a personal contact is best.

Reply by Kate/CA on 1/5/07 11:15pm
Msg #169545

I moved from one area to another 200 miles away. Since we use cell phones there was no problem, every time one company would call for a signing, I would give my new information. Then I would suggest another notary in the old area who might be able to do the signing for them. Occasionally I would get a call on my home line, I had all my calls referred for 6 months to my new number. As soon as they asked me to do a signing in the old area I knew they were on remote call forwarding to my new number. Gave all the new information again. Didn't take long and I was back up to my income I was getting before I moved.

When I changed cell phones, I kept my old one for 6 months and did the same thing. Soon the old cell was barely ringing, then I cancelled it. Not quite sure which number you are thinking of changing but hope this helps.

Reply by Michelle/AL on 1/5/07 11:16pm
Msg #169546

I'm in the middle of changing numbers.

It's a pain and it's been costly for me. For the last 30 days I've been updating directories & websites. I've emailed SS's that call me on a regular basis. My old cell phone iis still active but is set up to forward all calls to my new #. I try to make sure every caller knows my new number but sometime I forget to do it. (I'm so focused getting specifics about the assignment.) This weekend I will discontinue forwarding calls and simply record a message giving callers the new #. I'll pull the plug on the old cell phone at the end of this month. I felt I needed to change my phone number because the old one has an out-of-state area code and I was concerned that my non-loan customers might have second thoughts about calling me. I want to them to know that I'm a local business.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 1/5/07 11:56pm
Msg #169566

Good info. Thanks all for your suggestions. I think I have a

IPlan now. It's my cell number, but it is my primary contact. Normally, I would take my number with me, but I am having a dispute with my cell company and that may not be possible. I should know here in a couple of weeks. I like the idea of gradually working out of one number to the other. I had not thought of that. I think that's what I 'll do if I can't solve the dispute to my satisfaction ...

Reply by Ernest__CT on 1/6/07 8:07am
Msg #169578

It's important to remember that now numbers are ...

... portable! You could "own" your number. If you want to switch your number from one cell service ("carrier", in regulatory lingo) to another service you should be able to do so. Contact your state's Department of Consumer Protection or Department of Public Utility Control, and / or the Federal Communications Commission.

Reply by Glenn Strickler on 1/6/07 2:43pm
Msg #169665

Re: It's important to remember that now numbers are ...

Well, not when you don't want to pay an early termination fee when you have extended a contract to get a new free cell phone ........