For me, this is post number 900, which made me think of so-called "900 numbers" - an 80's and 90's phenomenon that I'm too young to remember myself, but which I've read about some. From what I can tell, they were phone numbers starting with 900 (of course), and charged a fee per minute. Many of the "900 numbers" had the sort of info that you would look up on the internet or smartphone today - weather, sports scores, and stuff like that. Other ones, however, connected you to, I might say, crazier stuff - celebrity hotlines and that sort of thing.
Anyway, do any of you remember having called a "900 number", and if so, what was the experience like?
Quote from: KCRoadFan on May 10, 2023, 10:10:36 PM
For me, this is post number 900, which made me think of so-called "900 numbers" - an 80's and 90's phenomenon that I'm too young to remember myself, but which I've read about some. From what I can tell, they were phone numbers starting with 900 (of course), and charged a fee per minute. Many of the "900 numbers" had the sort of info that you would look up on the internet or smartphone today - weather, sports scores, and stuff like that. Other ones, however, connected you to, I might say, crazier stuff - celebrity hotlines and that sort of thing.
Anyway, do any of you remember having called a "900 number", and if so, what was the experience like?
Yeah they were a phone number you called and they charged your phone bill for it. It was for entertainment purposes for the most part like psychic hotlines, and adult chat lines and stuff. They'd charge like $2.99 for the first minute then like $0.99 for each minute after that give or take a few bucks lol.
Quote from: Flint1979 on May 10, 2023, 10:38:55 PM
Quote from: KCRoadFan on May 10, 2023, 10:10:36 PM
For me, this is post number 900, which made me think of so-called "900 numbers" - an 80's and 90's phenomenon that I'm too young to remember myself, but which I've read about some. From what I can tell, they were phone numbers starting with 900 (of course), and charged a fee per minute. Many of the "900 numbers" had the sort of info that you would look up on the internet or smartphone today - weather, sports scores, and stuff like that. Other ones, however, connected you to, I might say, crazier stuff - celebrity hotlines and that sort of thing.
Anyway, do any of you remember having called a "900 number", and if so, what was the experience like?
Yeah they were a phone number you called and they charged your phone bill for it. It was for entertainment purposes for the most part like psychic hotlines, and adult chat lines and stuff. They'd charge like $2.99 for the first minute then like $0.99 for each minute after that give or take a few bucks lol.
Also, 976-xxxx was a local variant of the 900 number.
I am happy when the young people admit that they are young.
You're too young to be dialing 900 numbers.
IIRC, the first use of a '900' number was in a radio call-in program put on by the then President Jimmy Carter. Yes, it was toll free, but it was in the late 1970s.
Mike
This I assume it's for any numbers internationally starting with +1. Because for those starting with +34, the 900 numbers are toll-free lines (akin to your 800).
There is, of course, a Wikipedia entry on the subject: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Premium-rate_telephone_number#United_States_and_Canada
Dork alert for myself, the only 900 line I ever called (and yes with my parents permission) was the Nintendo Power Hotline, that I think I called three times in my life over a period of a few years.
I can't imagine having a job where you played video games and help people (mostly kids) try to get thru difficult spots over the phone.
So, yes, file that 900 line under things that became extinct and unnecessary when the internet arrived.
Quote from: SectorZ on May 11, 2023, 06:13:38 AM
Dork alert for myself, the only 900 line I ever called (and yes with my parents permission) was the Nintendo Power Hotline, that I think I called three times in my life over a period of a few years.
I can't imagine having a job where you played video games and help people (mostly kids) try to get thru difficult spots over the phone.
So, yes, file that 900 line under things that became extinct and unnecessary when the internet arrived.
I wonder if they played the video games and instead just had a rolodex of tips.
Nintendo was pretty overt about Nintendo Power's purpose being getting kids through games quicker so they would buy new games quicker.
I do remember 900 numbers when i was younger. although I don't recall calling any, in fear of my parents finding out on the next phone bill.
Quote from: Rothman on May 10, 2023, 11:11:46 PM
I am happy when the young people admit that they are young.
You're too young to be dialing 900 numbers.
Why do you keep changing quotes in thread titles to '"'? It doesn't display a quote and is frankly really annoying. I don't understand it.
Quote from: kirbykart on May 11, 2023, 07:53:58 AM
Quote from: Rothman on May 10, 2023, 11:11:46 PM
I am happy when the young people admit that they are young.
You're too young to be dialing 900 numbers.
Why do you keep changing quotes in thread titles to '"'? It doesn't display a quote and is frankly really annoying. I don't understand it.
Using my phone on the website does it automatically. (EDIT: Not Tapatalk. The website on Safari.)
As for 900 numbers, I've wanted to enter one for "enter your phone number to sign up for texts" for a company I really hate so that the company is forced to lose money from it, but I don't know if it would do what I want, and I also wouldn't want the owner to receive the "spam" texts.
Quote from: 1 on May 11, 2023, 07:54:56 AM
Quote from: kirbykart on May 11, 2023, 07:53:58 AM
Quote from: Rothman on May 10, 2023, 11:11:46 PM
I am happy when the young people admit that they are young.
You're too young to be dialing 900 numbers.
Why do you keep changing quotes in thread titles to '"'? It doesn't display a quote and is frankly really annoying. I don't understand it.
Using my phone on the website does it automatically.
Is that using the Tapatalk service? Because that doesn't happen for me on the website on my phone.
I called exactly one, in 1983. It was advertised at the end of a sitcom called "Mr. Smith," in which an orangutan accidentally gains a human personality and becomes a political advisor.
As kids, we assumed a 900 number, which even most adults had never heard of at that point, was free like an 800 number. So we called and listened to a three-minute recording of television producer Ed. Weinberger as Mr. Smith.
We got a stern talking-to when the bill came with a 50¢ charge for that call ($1.52 in 2023 dollars). If you grew up using the phone regularly as a kid before the 2000s you probably know about getting in trouble for the cost of your phone calls, then billed individually.
I never called one again. "Mr. Smith" was cancelled after 13 episodes.
Quote from: kirbykart on May 11, 2023, 07:53:58 AM
Quote from: Rothman on May 10, 2023, 11:11:46 PM
I am happy when the young people admit that they are young.
You're too young to be dialing 900 numbers.
Why do you keep changing quotes in thread titles to '"'? It doesn't display a quote and is frankly really annoying. I don't understand it.
Please direct your complaint to Tapatalk.
Heck, I don't fully understand what you're getting at anyway, since it doesn't appear on my phone in Tapatalk.
Anyway, not my problem.
Quote from: Rothman on May 11, 2023, 08:27:49 AM
Heck, I don't fully understand what you're getting at anyway, since it doesn't appear on my phone in Tapatalk.
It appears when either of the following is true:
1. Someone makes a post on an affected device.
2. Someone quotes a post that's been affected.
Each post displays the same for everyone. For example, since what I'm posting right now satisfies condition #2, it will show """ for everyone, but reply #13 will look normal for everyone, even on affected devices.
Quote from: Rothman on May 11, 2023, 06:50:05 AMI wonder if they played the video games and instead just had a rolodex of tips.
If
The Wizard is to be believed, then yeah, they just had binders of walkthroughs for games and would read to you from those.
Quote from: Pete from Boston on May 11, 2023, 08:14:56 AMWe got a stern talking-to when the bill came with a 50¢ charge for that call ($1.52 in 2023 dollars). If you grew up using the phone regularly as a kid before the 2000s you probably know about getting in trouble for the cost of your phone calls, then billed individually.
I'm not old enough to remember being billed for local calls, but I do remember having to beg permission to call the Nintendo Power help line. I also remember waiting until after 7 pm to make a long-distance call, when the rates were lower.
Quote from: abefroman329 on May 11, 2023, 12:18:20 PM
Quote from: Pete from Boston on May 11, 2023, 08:14:56 AMWe got a stern talking-to when the bill came with a 50¢ charge for that call ($1.52 in 2023 dollars). If you grew up using the phone regularly as a kid before the 2000s you probably know about getting in trouble for the cost of your phone calls, then billed individually.
I'm not old enough to remember being billed for local calls, but I do remember having to beg permission to call the Nintendo Power help line. I also remember waiting until after 7 pm to make a long-distance call, when the rates were lower.
Similar. Never called the Nintendo Power line, but I remember when I was 8 or so and they'd have wrestling I-900 numbers to call that were $0.99 for the first minute and $3.99/minute after that. I never ended up being able to call. Probably better off for all of us.
It was mentioned upthread, but for the younguns here, 1-976 numbers were the same thing but for phone sex.
Quote from: abefroman329 on May 11, 2023, 10:59:47 AM
Quote from: Rothman on May 11, 2023, 06:50:05 AMI wonder if they played the video games and instead just had a rolodex of tips.
If The Wizard is to be believed, then yeah, they just had binders of walkthroughs for games and would read to you from those.
Ha! Best product placement movie ever.
Quote from: Rothman on May 11, 2023, 01:05:13 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on May 11, 2023, 10:59:47 AM
Quote from: Rothman on May 11, 2023, 06:50:05 AMI wonder if they played the video games and instead just had a rolodex of tips.
If The Wizard is to be believed, then yeah, they just had binders of walkthroughs for games and would read to you from those.
Ha! Best product placement movie ever.
It's pretty shameless. But it's no Mac and Me.
I need to mention the primary purpose for 900 and 976 numbers, at least in French Canada: hotlines for not too family friendly stuff.
Quote from: LilianaUwU on May 11, 2023, 01:17:52 PMI need to mention the primary purpose for 900 and 976 numbers, at least in French Canada: hotlines for not too family friendly stuff.
Yes, they were primarily phone sex lines in the US as well. People are tiptoeing around that fact for reasons that are unclear to me.
Quote from: abefroman329 on May 11, 2023, 01:23:11 PM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on May 11, 2023, 01:17:52 PMI need to mention the primary purpose for 900 and 976 numbers, at least in French Canada: hotlines for not too family friendly stuff.
Yes, they were primarily phone sex lines in the US as well. People are tiptoeing around that fact for reasons that are unclear to me.
Hell, I tiptoed around calling them sex hotlines myself. Then again, we're not all adults here.
900-976-1313.
For some reason, that number has always stuck out in my head, even though I can't remember what it was for.
Quote from: hbelkins on May 11, 2023, 01:33:04 PM
900-976-1313.
For some reason, that number has always stuck out in my head, even though I can't remember what it was for.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_Phone
I thought it might have been from a movie.
While 900 numbers were mostly commercial ventures, I would say about 50-50 between audio porn and stuff like stock quotes, ball scores, weather and the like; it did have some serious uses as well. There was a data base of fugitives that cops were supposed to call. It was a 900 number and some genius at the courthouse had blocked all 900 numbers from the government phones.
Quote from: abefroman329 on May 11, 2023, 01:23:11 PM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on May 11, 2023, 01:17:52 PMI need to mention the primary purpose for 900 and 976 numbers, at least in French Canada: hotlines for not too family friendly stuff.
Yes, they were primarily phone sex lines in the US as well. People are tiptoeing around that fact for reasons that are unclear to me.
Apologies I didn't call sex lines as a 13 year old and only had less prurient experiences to share.
Quote from: SectorZ on May 11, 2023, 06:17:39 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on May 11, 2023, 01:23:11 PM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on May 11, 2023, 01:17:52 PMI need to mention the primary purpose for 900 and 976 numbers, at least in French Canada: hotlines for not too family friendly stuff.
Yes, they were primarily phone sex lines in the US as well. People are tiptoeing around that fact for reasons that are unclear to me.
Apologies I didn't call sex lines as a 13 year old and only had less prurient experiences to share.
Neither did I, but I knew they were phone sex lines. Didn't you ever see the video for Love in an Elevator?
Phone psychics used 900 numbers back then, especially that Jamaican one that was on tv all the time back in the 90s
Quote from: steviep24 on May 11, 2023, 07:16:07 PM
Phone psychics used 900 numbers back then, especially that Jamaican one that was on tv all the time back in the 90s
Miss Cleo (RIP)
Youree Dell Harris, or " Miss Cleo * " for short, ( among many Nick Names / Alternate Spellings ) was on the verge of getting her own Programme, " Mind And Spirit " until it was revealed that despite earning Money from the 900 Numbers, she allegedly had the habit of not paying her employees.
I was still a Fan. She also voiced Auntie Poulet in Grand Theft Auto.
* = Apparently The Psychic Readers Network, the place she was reguarly employed for many years, stuck around much longer after the 900 Fad went away, maintaining Ownership of the Miss Cleo identity, and preventing her from continuing her career as such.
The 900 Fad also was infamous for: " CALL SANTA !! " ...
This:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDobftLSgXg
utilizing different Voice Actors, made This:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JTAxgBc2eg
As for today, if I understand correctly, some of the former 900 Fad numbers reverted to their Choke Exchange purpose.
However, any telephone number ought to be able to do that.
Quote from: In_Correct on May 11, 2023, 11:56:20 PM
The 900 Fad also was infamous for: " CALL SANTA !! " ...
This:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZDobftLSgXg
utilizing different Voice Actors, made This:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0JTAxgBc2eg
As for today, if I understand correctly, some of the former 900 Fad numbers reverted to their Choke Exchange purpose.
However, any telephone number ought to be able to do that.
It is refreshing to know that there were means to get a child to spend their parents' money under their nose all the way back then!
I grew up well after the 900 number fad, but for some reason I had a hyperfixation on landline telephones for a while and know they used to exist for things from fan club advice to "phone activities". It's interesting that they just used to bill all of this stuff back through the phone system, rather than having you enter credit card numbers or anything crazy.
I remember a TV news report back in the '90s about a 900/976 scam in NYC. Some guys set up a line with a $35/minute charge, then went around to Manhattan offices in bicycle-messenger outfits:
"I'm here for your pickup."
"We didn't call for a messenger."
"Oh, my dispatcher must have given me the wrong address. Could I use your phone for a minute, please?"
(most people did not carry around cellphones back then)
Quote from: abefroman329 on May 11, 2023, 07:03:13 PM
Quote from: SectorZ on May 11, 2023, 06:17:39 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on May 11, 2023, 01:23:11 PM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on May 11, 2023, 01:17:52 PMI need to mention the primary purpose for 900 and 976 numbers, at least in French Canada: hotlines for not too family friendly stuff.
Yes, they were primarily phone sex lines in the US as well. People are tiptoeing around that fact for reasons that are unclear to me.
Apologies I didn't call sex lines as a 13 year old and only had less prurient experiences to share.
Neither did I, but I knew they were phone sex lines. Didn't you ever see the video for Love in an Elevator?
LOL, of course I saw that video!
Quote from: GenExpwy on May 12, 2023, 03:08:35 AM
I remember a TV news report back in the '90s about a 900/976 scam in NYC. Some guys set up a line with a $35/minute charge, then went around to Manhattan offices in bicycle-messenger outfits:
"I'm here for your pickup."
"We didn't call for a messenger."
"Oh, my dispatcher must have given me the wrong address. Could I use your phone for a minute, please?"
(most people did not carry around cellphones back then)
That scam lasted well into the smartphone era, actually. I think they'd borrow your phone and then send a text that signed you up for some sort of subscription that also came with a sizable monthly fee.
Quote from: Hobart on May 12, 2023, 01:20:41 AMI grew up well after the 900 number fad, but for some reason I had a hyperfixation on landline telephones for a while and know they used to exist for things from fan club advice to "phone activities". It's interesting that they just used to bill all of this stuff back through the phone system, rather than having you enter credit card numbers or anything crazy.
Back then, credit cards weren't accepted (or held) nearly as widely as they are now, and the companies didn't need to worry about Ma Bell giving them the money they were owed - she was good for it.
I've had several people (estimating 5 over 7-8 years) ask to borrow my phone on the bus because their battery had run out or similar. I said that I had to hold the phone myself and the area code had to be one I recognized. (I would have also accepted area codes I wasn't familiar with but had low enough digits that they would have existed in the original 1947 plan.) Interestingly, one of these was a 202 number.
The first one I remember was a 900 number set up by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince in the late 80s.
Quote from: golden eagle on May 25, 2023, 10:32:50 PM
The first one I remember was a 900 number set up by DJ Jazzy Jeff and the Fresh Prince in the late 80s.
Oh, I just remembered that one!
I was at orientation today for a new internship, and they actually listed dialing 900 numbers as "unacceptable phone use."
I thought it was interesting, especially considering they use Webex for everything, and 900 numbers are going wildly out of fashion. It wasn't even an old training presentation either, it came out in at least the last couple of years.
Quote from: LilianaUwU on May 11, 2023, 01:28:58 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on May 11, 2023, 01:23:11 PM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on May 11, 2023, 01:17:52 PMI need to mention the primary purpose for 900 and 976 numbers, at least in French Canada: hotlines for not too family friendly stuff.
Yes, they were primarily phone sex lines in the US as well. People are tiptoeing around that fact for reasons that are unclear to me.
Hell, I tiptoed around calling them sex hotlines myself. Then again, we're not all adults here.
I was creative about it. I had a phone with alligator clips, so I could just open the box on the side of the house and use YOUR line.
Looking back, I wonder what that would have looked like had my neighbor(s) caught me.
Quote from: zachary_amaryllis on May 30, 2023, 09:45:03 PM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on May 11, 2023, 01:28:58 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on May 11, 2023, 01:23:11 PM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on May 11, 2023, 01:17:52 PMI need to mention the primary purpose for 900 and 976 numbers, at least in French Canada: hotlines for not too family friendly stuff.
Yes, they were primarily phone sex lines in the US as well. People are tiptoeing around that fact for reasons that are unclear to me.
Hell, I tiptoed around calling them sex hotlines myself. Then again, we're not all adults here.
I was creative about it. I had a phone with alligator clips, so I could just open the box on the side of the house and use YOUR line.
Looking back, I wonder what that would have looked like had my neighbor(s) caught me.
O.o
I guess some people really needed their fix.
Some people are just strange and try to make others responsible for their 'strangeness'.
:meh:
Mike
Quote from: zachary_amaryllis on May 30, 2023, 09:45:03 PM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on May 11, 2023, 01:28:58 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on May 11, 2023, 01:23:11 PM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on May 11, 2023, 01:17:52 PMI need to mention the primary purpose for 900 and 976 numbers, at least in French Canada: hotlines for not too family friendly stuff.
Yes, they were primarily phone sex lines in the US as well. People are tiptoeing around that fact for reasons that are unclear to me.
Hell, I tiptoed around calling them sex hotlines myself. Then again, we're not all adults here.
I was creative about it. I had a phone with alligator clips, so I could just open the box on the side of the house and use YOUR line.
Looking back, I wonder what that would have looked like had my neighbor(s) caught me.
Caught you or *caught* you?
Quote from: abefroman329 on May 31, 2023, 02:22:21 PM
Quote from: zachary_amaryllis on May 30, 2023, 09:45:03 PM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on May 11, 2023, 01:28:58 PM
Quote from: abefroman329 on May 11, 2023, 01:23:11 PM
Quote from: LilianaUwU on May 11, 2023, 01:17:52 PMI need to mention the primary purpose for 900 and 976 numbers, at least in French Canada: hotlines for not too family friendly stuff.
Yes, they were primarily phone sex lines in the US as well. People are tiptoeing around that fact for reasons that are unclear to me.
Hell, I tiptoed around calling them sex hotlines myself. Then again, we're not all adults here.
I was creative about it. I had a phone with alligator clips, so I could just open the box on the side of the house and use YOUR line.
Looking back, I wonder what that would have looked like had my neighbor(s) caught me.
Caught you or *caught* you?
First one, then the other.
Quote from: SectorZ on May 11, 2023, 06:13:38 AM
Dork alert for myself, the only 900 line I ever called (and yes with my parents permission) was the Nintendo Power Hotline, that I think I called three times in my life over a period of a few years.
I can't imagine having a job where you played video games and help people (mostly kids) try to get thru difficult spots over the phone.
So, yes, file that 900 line under things that became extinct and unnecessary when the internet arrived.
For many years the Nintendo Power Hotline was only an ordinary long distance call with a Seattle area code. It wasn't until the late '90s or early 2000s that they started charging 1-900 rates. Because I called a LOT in the late '80s and early '90s. Then I got back into games a little in college and saw there was a charge and was like, "NOPE, I'll just figure it out on my own, ask a friend or do without".