GrandCentral Phone Service: No Invitation Code Needed
The virtual phone service GrandCentral has been invite-only beta for several months. But now the blog service Blogger (also owned by Google) is offering users free memberships. But hey, the special sign-up link works for everyone! 
Not really a loophole, since Blogger accounts are also free, but it does mean that it is now effectively open to everyone to wants to try it out.
To quickly summarize, GrandCentral offers you a free local US phone number from 47 states which can forward to any other US number. You also get free voicemail along with several other nifty features. I tried to explore the many possible uses of GrandCentral in this post. Here are a few of them:
- Have one permanent, central number for everything.
- Create an extra number for your side business, for any other reason you might think of.
- Avoid long distance charges, by getting a new number in a new area code.
- Combine with T-Mobile MyFaves or AllTel Circle for more free calling.
- Use it to allow people to call you via your website, without revealing your phone number.
Again, details are here. I’ve still been using GrandCentral as a separate business line. Although it doesn’t get used heavily, it does give me the ability to pre-screen calls to my business, or simply forward to a professional voicemail recording.
Find more in Deals & Offers, Entrepreneurial | 3/1/08, 9:02pm | Trackback
March 1st, 2008 at 9:15 pm
Hmm, I hope you’re not using it for commercial endeavors….
From the terms of service:
“The GrandCentral Services are for personal, non-commercial usage. GrandCentral reserves the right to immediately disconnect or modify a Subscriber’s Service if GrandCentral determines, in its sole discretion, that Subscriber’s use of the Service is, or at any time was, inconsistent with normal personal, non-commercial usage patterns.”
March 1st, 2008 at 9:30 pm
Thanks for the information. I just signed up one and it looks quite useful.
March 1st, 2008 at 9:55 pm
Thanks… after NetZero’s PrivatePhone died a month or so back I was looking for another service. This works great.
March 1st, 2008 at 11:20 pm
I’ve been using GrandCentral for about six months. It is ok but nothing fantastic by any means.
If you are in the need of a serious voicemail system (commercial), I highly recommend gotvmail.com.
Mike
March 2nd, 2008 at 6:30 am
A comment on using it for T-mobile / alltel.
From what I’ve read over @ howardforums, tmo is well aware of the GC numbers, and has specific verbiage in the contract for myfaves about not allowing you to use a myfaves number that can be called by something like 500 or more people.
You could try it, but they may end up charging you in the end for it.
March 2nd, 2008 at 6:53 am
I have switched over to using GC as my primary line. Magic Jack did not have a number in my area, so this was a perfect match. Plus I love the feature of ringing all my phones at once, so I never have to worry about missing a call again. Great service!
March 2nd, 2008 at 9:49 am
I have been using Grand Central for six months or so, and I can say that I am pleased with my use, as well as the “hacks” I have used.
March 2nd, 2008 at 11:53 am
I’ve been using Gizmo Project’s Area 775 free phone number (http://www.gizmoproject.com/area775.html). It works well, and gives me a free US phone number, including voicemail delivered to my email, etc. You get a Nevada area-code number (775), but that’s not a problem for me, and other than that, works great!
March 2nd, 2008 at 7:15 pm
Thanks for the info. I signed up and now have an extra phone number without the extra fees.
March 3rd, 2008 at 11:33 am
[…] came accross My Money Blog’s post about GrandCentral phone service by Google last night. It allows you to get a free phone number […]
March 3rd, 2008 at 12:07 pm
There are fees coming… I wouldn’t give out your GC number to too many people.
March 3rd, 2008 at 2:03 pm
Interesting. So you still have to have a phone plan and whatnot. Well, we don’t have a landline right now, but I’ll remember that. It could be helpful.
March 3rd, 2008 at 10:25 pm
I’ve been using it as well and it’s a fantastic service. Plus, its hard to beat free right : )
March 4th, 2008 at 6:43 am
Thanks for the info. I got a number from my old hometown, so family can call. Does anyone know how reliable these numbers are? I don’t want to give it out if the circuits get overcrowded, etc.
March 6th, 2008 at 8:25 am
[…] [linkedin.com/answers, mymoneyblog and Top 10 Telephone […]
March 17th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
I am so desperate for am invite. I tried through the site and I’ve been waiting and waiting. I’m moving in a week and I’m trying to get this set up so the folks in my original hometown can call me toll free. Wish me luck!
March 25th, 2008 at 6:58 pm
HI! Someone please send me an invite to GC?
My email is nick2u (a) gmail.com I need a number for business.
Thanks!
March 26th, 2008 at 12:39 pm
Could anyone send me an invitation? Thanks a lot.
djcioc@gmail.com
March 31st, 2008 at 4:44 pm
Can someone send me also the invitation? Thanks
mahesh.mattupalli@gmail.com
April 2nd, 2008 at 3:42 pm
If anyone can send me an invites I would be very grateful, I need a US number for my business. Thank you.
My email is ckutopia at hotmail.com
April 10th, 2008 at 8:29 am
I need an invite as well, please email me at vascularaccess2 (a) gmail.com
Thanks
April 10th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
I would love an invite too!
Thanks in advance
orivera58@gmail.com
April 11th, 2008 at 7:16 pm
I would be so appreciative of anyone who would send me an invite. I have heard great things about this, and I’d love to try it. Thank you in advance!
mattb19us@gmail.com
April 20th, 2008 at 2:56 pm
I would be so appreciative of anyone who would send me an invite. I have heard great things about this, and I’d love to try it. Thank you in advance!
writetheoffer@gmail.com
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:35 am
I would love an invite as well please. Thank you in advance.
p0larb@yahoo.com
April 23rd, 2008 at 2:20 pm
i would appreciate an invite as well.
maddogv6@yahoo.com
April 27th, 2008 at 12:55 pm
I’ve been trying for some time to get into this service with no luck so I would be very grateful for an invite. mlyenser at yahoo dot com. Thanks!
April 29th, 2008 at 9:57 am
Anyone kind enough to give me an invite? dsaj.dao at gmail dot com
April 30th, 2008 at 6:36 pm
i been trying to sign up for grand central for 2 months now. i reseve i couple times but no luck. i am very thankful for someone send me an invitation. my email is lian1919@yahoo.com
May 1st, 2008 at 1:37 pm
i been trying to sign up for grand central but no luck. Can anyone please send me an invitation. my email is channj@gmail.com
May 3rd, 2008 at 10:29 pm
HI everyone…I would love an invite if someone has extras!
email me at illtrainyou@msn.com
May 5th, 2008 at 11:42 am
Hello i will like someo ne to pls send me and invite
genesis.cruz@gmail.com
May 8th, 2008 at 12:06 pm
Can someone send me an invite. - thanks!
May 9th, 2008 at 7:31 pm
Anyone with invites for GC? dustin at bodrero dot com
May 10th, 2008 at 8:22 pm
I clicked through on the links in the story here. Once at the Blogger page, there is a link to get an account with GC. The URL shows as being special, so there was hope. Alas, no joy. The link redirects to the main GC page. Am I missing something? Is it because I wasn’t logged in to Blogger. I don’t have an account yet; maybe that’s it?
On the way-outside-chance somebody is willing, I’d love an invite to GC. Send it to no1home ~at~ mail {dawt} com.
Thanks