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
May 24th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
I would greatly appreciate if someone could send me an invite. This is something that I could use a great deal. Karma will repay you, I promise. chriscucci@gmail dot com
Thank you very much!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
May 26th, 2008 at 8:41 pm
Guys, once I’m in I PROMISE will put my 10 invites back in the system here… pls send GrandCentral invite to cj.terry@yahoo.com
THANK YOU!!!
May 27th, 2008 at 2:14 pm
Hi all — desperately need an invite for Grand Central on a temporary basis (buying a car and the sales people will drive me nuts if I give them my mobile) Can anyone help? I will definitely pay it forward. Thanks much!
RangerHooper (at) gmail (dot) com
May 28th, 2008 at 9:50 pm
Are they still sending out new invites? I’ve been waiting now for over a month with no luck.
I could really, really use an invite if anyone could be so kind.
I will definitely forward all of the invites I get.
Thanks…
teal123 (at) gmail (dot) com
June 7th, 2008 at 8:01 am
Hi,
If anyone can send me an invite for Grand Central it would be greatly appreciated.
shawn_0828a@yahoo.com
June 8th, 2008 at 2:26 pm
Hello,
If anyone is still giving out invites, this is a service that would be very useful for me. I’ve been trying to get an invite since February with no luck so far. Thanks in advance, have a great day!
jfh
jfherring (at) gmail (dot) com
June 9th, 2008 at 7:04 pm
Could someone kindly send me an invite please?
June 10th, 2008 at 12:09 am
A month? I’ve been waiting since Grandcentral first started the invitation thing!!! Guess I fell through the cracks.
jim420@gmail.com
June 10th, 2008 at 6:56 pm
Planning to be out of the country for up to a year and desperately need a GC number for people to stay in touch with me… if you can spare an invite, I’ll put all 10 of mine back into the system!
wackosae (at) yahoo (dot) com
June 10th, 2008 at 7:29 pm
I NEED ONE PLEASE Send To:
GrandCentral.InvitationPlease@gmail.com
Thank you
June 16th, 2008 at 1:21 pm
I would like to have an invite to do interviews… please send one to donlaur@gmail.com thanx.
June 17th, 2008 at 8:59 pm
I would love to have an invite also…please send to pokerjv@gmail.com. thanks so much
June 19th, 2008 at 6:02 am
As a newly-unemployed (job went to Bangalore), I am desperately (ok, not desperately; it would just make my life much easier) in need of an invite to grandcentral. If anyone has such an invite to spare (I will invite you back, if you wish) it would be very much appreciated.
Shalom, Salaam, Peace, etc….
texanon AT gmail DOT com
June 19th, 2008 at 9:20 pm
REALLY! would appreciate an invite to GrandCentral. Will monitor list and forward all additional invites received and/or return invite, if requested.
Thanks to all for your kind consideration of my request.
skbrown33 (at) hot mail dot com
June 20th, 2008 at 9:08 am
Hello! I clicked on the link and it just redirects to the main site (http://www.grandcentral.com). Anyone with additional invites they can spare? Thanks! indierockqueen at gmail.com
June 20th, 2008 at 8:00 pm
I would love an invite to GC. Thank you in advance.
Paramoun
email: paramoun6@yahoo.com
June 21st, 2008 at 8:25 am
Can anyone send me an invitation I would really appreciate it. Thank you. alladin_0@hotmail.com
June 22nd, 2008 at 10:39 pm
I also would love to receive a GrandCentral invitation.
email: fawh@netzero.net
June 23rd, 2008 at 4:51 am
can someone send me an invite, I really really need this for my phone.
richasian (at) gmail.com
June 23rd, 2008 at 1:59 pm
I would love to receive a GrandCentral invitation, and thank you very much!
Email: gegwa2000@yahoo.com
June 24th, 2008 at 8:43 am
Hey I am starting anew business and could really use the extra line to screen customers. Please send me an invite at
eecsflyer@gmail.com
June 24th, 2008 at 9:33 am
I would appreciate a invite please.
June 24th, 2008 at 9:34 am
Me too please. sales@dandsllc.com
June 24th, 2008 at 1:14 pm
Hello…
I would also like an invite…
thanks very much!
ss3ann@yahoo.com
June 24th, 2008 at 2:16 pm
I’d love a Grand Central Invite… Pretty please send me one? o:)
Thanks!
Summer
galacticdog2012 at gmail dot com
June 24th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
I would love one too! Please let me out, my cell phone bills going through the ceiling and with this (in combination with T Mobile’s Myfaves) I can save myself.
Please help this poor college student :(!!
kalpit210@yahoo.com
Thanks!
June 24th, 2008 at 7:11 pm
I AM JUST INFORMING EVERYONE THAT IT IS NOT TRUE ABOUT THE INVITATIONS. YOU MUST WAIT, AND RESERVE A NUMBER FROM THE LINK ON THE TOP OF THIS WEBSITE. THERE ARE NO INVITATIONS TO GIVE, SO EVERONE STOP ASKING!!!
GRANDCENTRAL IS NOT SET UP FOR GIVING OR RECEIVING INVITATIONS!!!!
THANKS FOR READING
THE GOOGLE EXPERT
June 25th, 2008 at 8:10 am
That link doesn’t work anymore…
Can someone who has an account PLEASE send me an invite, I’ve been dieing to try this out.
boballooo@gmail.com
June 28th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Can I get an invite at anitpas128504@yahoo.com
June 28th, 2008 at 5:28 pm
I would like an invite to grand central. Does any one have one to spare if so please email me antipas128504@yahoo.com
June 29th, 2008 at 11:49 am
I’d love a Grand Central Invite…
Thanks!
Please send me an invite to:
grandcentralinviteplease@yahoo.com
June 30th, 2008 at 12:48 pm
Can I get an invite at mail@marceloaraujo.com !! Please!!!!
July 3rd, 2008 at 4:48 am
I would really like an invite as well.
valblackington@yahoo.com
July 5th, 2008 at 6:34 am
please add me to the list of people who need an invite to grand central. thanks in advance!!
July 5th, 2008 at 10:55 pm
I am looking for a Grand Central Invite. If anyone has one, please invite me! Thanks!
July 6th, 2008 at 6:19 pm
Looking for invite to Grand Central. If someone has one, would appreciate the invite!
Thanks!
nfan47@gmail.com
July 7th, 2008 at 6:35 am
I would appreciate an invite. Im trying to start my business. websyndicate@gmail.com
Thank you in advance
July 8th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
Looking for a GC Invite… I will distribute my alloted invite and not be a slacker like people who have been mentioned in the forums.
On question though, I was in the gmail beta and they gave us 100 Invites. Why not that many for GC too?
dwb380 (at) yahoo.com
July 8th, 2008 at 6:35 pm
can some one please send me a invite for grand central
ecreer@gmail.com
July 10th, 2008 at 9:39 am
I would like an invitation also, if someone can help me out…. johnjaniec@hotmail.com
July 11th, 2008 at 8:35 pm
I would really appreciate an invite also.
Thanks in Advance
PJ
July 14th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
Also looking for invite ob1100@yahoo.com
thanks
July 14th, 2008 at 5:42 pm
I would really appreciate an invite as well…. jdoxie@gmail.com
July 15th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Hi all, I’m also looking for an invite.
Would be nice if someone can ivite me at christian.ort@gmail.com
Thanks
July 18th, 2008 at 11:52 pm
I would appreciate an invite also.
I had reserved a number directly from GC months ago to no avail.
Thanks in advance.
krlrvr@gmail.com
July 19th, 2008 at 8:55 am
If what you’d like is a virtual phone number that you can point to a regular number - try Brring.com
July 19th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
i would also love to have a invite code if possible. I have had one reserved for quite some time.
Thanks
brownsfan920@yahoo.com
July 20th, 2008 at 2:38 pm
Also looking for invite heropak@hotmail.com
July 20th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Anyone have a invite they could spare? Much Appreciated
Thanks
gnawnad@hotmail.com
July 21st, 2008 at 5:38 pm
I could use a spare invite if you have one…..
cameronmodelmanagement@gmail.com
July 27th, 2008 at 6:31 pm
Hey! Did anyone receive an invite and successfuly created an account? The Google expert above said there are no invites… you just get into a queue….
If different, PLEASE please PLEAseeee.. fwd an invite to radiotvon@gmail.com
July 30th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Hey there, Could I please get a GC Invite. This would help me out huge. Please… Please… send me an invite to jesseroza@hotmail.com
August 3rd, 2008 at 7:41 am
Can someone invite me for a grandcentral account.
Thanks a ton in advance.
with best regards
August 3rd, 2008 at 7:41 am
Hello
can you invite me for a grandcentral account.
Thanks a ton.
with best regards
sanjeeb
sanjeeb@gmail.com
August 5th, 2008 at 1:47 pm
Hi,
Please send me an invite.
Thanks so much!
Karen
kmd607@hotmail.com
August 6th, 2008 at 11:59 am
I’d GREATLY appreciate a Grand Central invite at herculesb@gmail.com
August 6th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
can i have one pretty pweeess
arielespadas@gmail.com
<3
August 6th, 2008 at 6:28 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!
My email address is: s_w_hawkins@yahoo.com
August 7th, 2008 at 1:58 pm
CAN SOMEONE PLEASE SEND ME A INVITE LORD KNOWS NEED IT PAPERVIEWMP3@GMAIL.COM
August 10th, 2008 at 2:04 pm
Anyone that can miss one invite? robi_5_5_5@yahoo.com please
August 12th, 2008 at 7:58 am
I went to the Grand Central Home page to reserver a number but non offered. If anyone can spare and invite I would appreciate it. gchATvt.edu
August 12th, 2008 at 2:53 pm
Hi can someone plz send me an invite to GC.
My email address is silentwaterz@gmail.com
August 13th, 2008 at 9:37 am
If you can please spare an invitation for me I woul thank you for life.
My email is jorgemme@msn.com
Thank you.
August 14th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Would really appreciate grandcentral invite jose@josevalle.net
thanks in advanced
August 16th, 2008 at 5:58 pm
Can someone please, pretty please with cherries and whip cream on top send me a grandcentral invite. I would be the happiest man on earth if someone can do that for me. I will love you for ever and you will always be my best friend. My email is tonnymontana187@hotmail.com
THank you to who ever sends me the invite. You will be blessed and may you win the lottery. Thank you so much
August 19th, 2008 at 5:42 am
I just got paid $25 for an invite. If you guys really want it you’re going to have to pay, because the invites are down and will be back “shortly”
August 22nd, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Any invites still floating around out there?
Thanks,
Charles
charles@webtonics.com
August 23rd, 2008 at 2:46 am
GEEZ, ALL YOU BEGGARS JUST CAN’T READ…YOU WILL NOT GET AN INVITE BECAUSE IT’S NOT POSSIBLE TO GIVE AN INVITE. YOU’LL HAVE TO WAIT LIKE THE REST OF US. SO…STOP BEGGING FOR SOMETHING YOU ARE OBVIOUSLY NOT GOING TO GET.
August 25th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
It’s kind of pathetic if you read this thread. @chris clearly says that there are NO INVITES! I am a Grand Central user (very lucky to be a user, and a very, very nice service I might add) So, I will echo, and say again:
THERE ARE NO INVITES!
Best of luck to all - I hope they open things up soon, but Google has been known to keep software in “beta” for a long, long time. Gmail is still in beta! I remember their usenet reader was in beta for years, and years. I hope Grand Central does not follow those footsteps.
August 25th, 2008 at 2:11 pm
If users dig around their inbox, they will find an invite a friend invite, and that what i gave out. So your right, and your wrong
August 28th, 2008 at 9:19 am
invite please, ????????, ????, poziv molimo, pozvánku prosím, invitation bedes , stuur dan een uitnodiging, kutsu please , invitation s’il vous plaît, Einladung bitte, ????????? ????????, ????? ????????, si prega di invito, Invitasjonen kan du, zaproszenie prosz?, convite por favor, invita?ia de participare, v? rug?m s?, ??????????? ??????????, invitación por favor, inbjudan vg
nmagsaysay@gmail.com
August 28th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
pierre,
I’d love an invitation is there’s still some left. Really want to check out what the fuzz with Grand Central is all about.
send me an invitation to liljayballer1010@yahoo.com please!!!!!
pierre
August 28th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
pierre
I’d love an invitation is there’s still some left. Really want to check out what the fuzz with Grand Central is all about. please send me an invitation to liljayballer1010@yahoo.com
pierre
August 28th, 2008 at 12:33 pm
Would really appreciate grandcentral invite liljayballer1010@yahoo.com
thanks in advanced
August 28th, 2008 at 6:04 pm
I’d love an invitation too.. alexsauceda at gmail.com