Question 1

What if the specific number I want isn't available?

Accepted Answer

Less than 1% of all the possible vanity numbers are actually available. The number you’re picturing has probably been held for decades, or won’t be issued for decades. That’s the bad news.

The good news: the right number for your business is almost never the most generic one you can think of. You don’t have ATTORNEY.com or think you need it for a great website. Generic equals expensive, generic equals everybody else.

When Lyft couldn’t get LIFT they went with Lyft, and the brand turned out to be ten times more valuable because it was theirs. The same is true for phone numbers. Search by category instead of by specific term and you’ll see options you never thought of.

Question 2

Can I get a number that's in use?

Accepted Answer

There are tons of good numbers that are not available, just like there are good domain names that aren’t available. There isn’t a way to get something that’s unavailable. Bill isn’t really a bounty hunter, going out and trying to make something available when it’s not; he’s more like a real estate agent helping you find the best available property. Here’s every way to still get a number someone else has.

Question 3

Can I buy it from them?

Accepted Answer

Usually not. It’s married to a customer of that phone company, and they won’t give out who it is. Rather than chase it, tap Prefix to see close versions that are available now. The green ones are $49.

Question 4

I called the number and it says disconnected. Is it available?

Accepted Answer

Calling a number is kind of like typing a domain name into your browser and figuring that if it didn’t go to a website, it must be available. There are a lot of reasons why a phone number might be active in the database but not ringing to somebody from your area when you call it.

Question 5

Who owns this number? Can you tell me so I can contact them?

Accepted Answer

You can use the lookup tool on our website to see the phone company responsible for any number that’s in use, but they aren’t the customer. There really is no database of the owners, and no phone company is allowed to give out customer data. Phone companies use the customer name and address as part of the security for transfers. More at who owns this toll free number?

Question 6

Is that company the owner?

Accepted Answer

Not usually. It’s the phone company that manages the number for whoever uses it. Tap the name to see that company on our sister site, Resporgs.com. Phone companies won’t give out a customer’s name.

Question 7

Reserved? Can I still get it?

Accepted Answer

Not right now. A phone company has it on hold for one of its customers. Holds can lapse, but nobody can get it while it’s held. Tap Prefix on its row to see close versions that are available now.

Question 8

What will the history tell me?

Accepted Answer

Who has held the number, month by month, going back several years, and when it changed hands or went through a disconnect. If it’s sat with the same company for years, don’t wait on it.

Question 9

Why can't I find an available 800 number?

Accepted Answer

You won’t find any 800 numbers in the available pool. There really haven’t been any 800 numbers in the available pool for a decade or more. They get taken within seconds when they come out. The purple Premium columns do have some true 800 numbers for a one time price, on the premium numbers page.

Question 10

What does Stuck in Limbo mean?

Accepted Answer

That’s one of nearly 16,000 833s left over from the 833 auction, which are on an indefinite hold. Bill thinks someone will eventually wake up and make them available, and he’ll try to help you be in the right place at the right time. But in the meantime you’ll probably have to be more creative.

Question 11

How will I know if it frees up?

Accepted Answer

Tap Notify, add your first name and email, and click the link we email you. Every month, when the new national data comes out, we check it and email you if its status changes. You can watch up to 8 numbers free.

Question 12

Can you watch my own number?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Search your number, tap Notify on its row, and we’ll check it every month when the new national data comes out and email you if its status changes. A forgotten credit card shouldn’t cost you your number.

When It Isn't Available