I'm trying to find the percentage of companies (or small companies,
either will do), that have a toll-free number, such as 800/888/etc.

Any thoughts are welcome.

Hi e1ven!

I found one more figure for you.


According to the Globallink Group 95% of businesses in the United
States have a  toll-number.

Excerpt:

"A recent survey has shown that customers are 72% more likely to call
a company with an 0800 Freephone number than one without. In the USA,
95% of businesses have a Freephone (or toll-free) facility. These
numbers are recognised as an essential tool particularly for
sales-orientated companies and it is a proven fact that callers will
use them in preference to normal rate numbers."

http://www.globalinkgroup.co.uk/s/gl/page_908.htm


I am reposting the previous data below.

A Motley Fool article from 1997 states that "seventy-five percent of
US companies offer toll-free lines"
http://www.fool.com/DTrouble/1997/DTrouble971006.htm


A 1998 toll-free study says that 86 percent of the companies surveyed
offer a customer toll-free number.

"The new study, released today at the Spring Conference of the Society
of Consumers Affairs Professionals in Business (SOCAP), reveals that
86 percent of the companies surveyed, including top industrial and
service companies, now offer a customer toll-free number -- a 5
percent increase over three years ago and a 36 percent increase over
the past decade."
http://www.socap.org/Welcome/800study.html

 
"While 96 percent of companies offer e-mail customer support, the
Jupiter study found that only 67 percent post a toll-free customer
support number on their exchanges. Just 4 percent offer online chat
for real-time responses to inquiries."

http://news.com.com/B2B+sites+lagging+in+customer+service/2100-1017_3-257736.html

I hope the information provided is helpful!

Best regards,
Bobbie7

Hello again E1ven-ga,
 

A Motley Fool article from 1997 states that "seventy-five percent of
US companies offer toll-free lines"
http://www.fool.com/DTrouble/1997/DTrouble971006.htm

A 1998 toll-free study says that 86 percent of the companies surveyed
offer a customer toll-free number.

"The new study, released today at the Spring Conference of the Society
of Consumers Affairs Professionals in Business (SOCAP), reveals that
86 percent of the companies surveyed, including top industrial and
service companies, now offer a customer toll-free number -- a 5
percent increase over three years ago and a 36 percent increase over
the past decade."
http://www.socap.org/Welcome/800study.html

Do these figures help?

Thanks, 
Bobbie7

From 2001:

"While 96 percent of companies offer e-mail customer support, the
Jupiter study found that only 67 percent post a toll-free customer
support number on their exchanges. Just 4 percent offer online chat
for real-time responses to inquiries."

http://news.com.com/B2B+sites+lagging+in+customer+service/2100-1017_3-257736.html

That seems great. If you can come up with one more recent, I'll take
it, but this is pretty darn nice. Thanks!
How do I award you the prize?