Should You Go For 0800 or FREE Phone Numbers?

I remember when I first got into my first MLM home business, we were told to go and get an 0800 number. Having got this, I felt pretty cool, a proper official business owner. 0800 numbers can be used effectively for a 'direct response' advertisement, but aside from that it may have the adverse affect.If like me you have a home business opportunity, then more or likely your sponsor will have at some point recommended you go get yourself an 0800 number for our advertising. Now, I can see some benefit to having an 0800 number. For instance if you are in one part of the country, then having an 0800 number can mask your whereabouts, also for the fact that some people may be put off by ringing a number in Birmingham, when they are London based for example.A FREE phone number can undermine the seriousness of your business opportunity and encourages a lot of unqualified timewasters to phone you, this I know from experience. 'It's a free number, so why not got ahead and see what it is all about'Actually, when you come down to analysing it, having an 0800 number has no real benefit. Have you seen a lawyer use an 0800 number? Or a Dentist? They don't seem to be losing business because of not having one. Instead they use a normal landline telephone number and also have in place a number of methods to screen people, such as having a receptionist, or a phone screening option. If someone wants a dentist or lawyer, they will find the time to phone them no matter what.In some cases having that elusive 0800 number can work against you, precisely because the client or caller cannot tell which part of the country you are, and if they are looking for a particular local based person, they may not be tempted to use the 0800 numbers, and search for local numbers instead.So, that said ditch the 0800 number and use a landline number instead, people will believe your are more credible, more approachable, and it doesn't matter where you are, if you have sold them YOU and they want to partner up with YOU, they will give you a ring any way.