Example of How People Automatically Go For the “800″ Toll-free Prefix

Associated Press – August 18, 2009 6:34 PM ET

CHICAGO
(AP) – General Motors says there’s not much it can do about a florist
in central Illinois now inundated with calls from people inquiring
about cash for clunkers.

The calls to Clinton’s Flower Corner began after GM advertised a
toll-free cash-for-clunkers number that’s nearly identical to the
store’s toll-free number.

Owner Judy Van Fossan says the around 150 calls a day threaten to damage business because regular customers can’t get through.

Only the prefixes of the numbers differ; GM’s is 877 and the shop’s
is 800. People are more familiar with the 800 prefix, so many meaning
to call GM mistakenly dial 800.

GM spokesman John McDonald says a lack of available 800 numbers
forces companies to use 877 equivalents. In the long run, McDonald
hopes the confusion will help the flower business by raising the
profile of the shop.

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