Forum Discussion

Virginie's avatar
Virginie
Active Contributor
3 months ago

Transferring a local number to Grasshopper

Hi,

We currently have an account on Grasshopper with a toll-free 855 number.
Outside of Grasshopper, we are still paying for a landline number (Telus) that we forward to that 855 number in Grasshopper.
We are paying Telus to maintain that landline number and to forward it to Grasshopper.

  1. Can I transfer that local number to Grasshopper? It looks like I can using the “Add More Phone Numbers” button?
  2. If we transfer that number to Grasshopper, can we still receive calls to that number?
  3. Do we still need to pay Telus for that number and for the forwarding or would the number be taken care of by Grasshopper directly and we wouldn’t need Telus anymore? If so, is there anything I need to do with Telus to release that phone number before we transfer it to Grasshopper?
  4. If that local number can be transferred to Grasshopper, how do we change the name associated with that number so that the caller ID says what we want?
  5. What happens with the settings? In the Help section, it says “ While multiple numbers can be added to the same account, you only have one set of extensions. You can have main greetings for each of your numbers with different messages.”
    - So we have to create new Greetings for that local number or can we reuse the ones from the 855 number?
    - What about the extensions and settings for those two numbers (such as our call forwarding list with custom schedule for one specific extension)? Do we need to set things up separately for both numbers or are those inseparable and a change in the schedule for an extension or a call forwarding list will work for/impact both numbers at the same time?
  6. How can we make sure that the outgoing call is using the local number instead of the 855 number? Is it the Call Settings > Outgoing Calls > Local Number in the app? Why does it currently already let me choose “local number” now even though we don’t have one?

Thank you!

3 Replies

  • KateG's avatar
    KateG
    GoTo Manager
    3 months ago

    Hi Virginie​ 

    Apologies, I updated the post for the settings question. 

    I'm checking on the Caller ID question and if it matters if you transfer to 855 or cellphone and will get back to you soon. 

    What happens with the settings?

      • When you have multiple Grasshopper numbers on the account, only the one set of extensions can be used. You can determine how best to configure that - using main greetings to say which extensions callers can dial or use direct connect to forward calls to a particular extension
      • You can use any greeting in your library and/or create new. Whichever works better for your business
      • If the Grasshopper numbers are sharing an extension then yes, changes will impact both numbers. If numbers are utilizing different extensions then changes to 1 extension would not impact another extension
  • Virginie's avatar
    Virginie
    Active Contributor
    3 months ago

    Hi KateG​,

    Thank you for your reply.

    2. Does that mean that I can, or should, forward the local number to:
    - Our 855 number?
    - Our cellphone numbers?

    3. So there is no way for us to change the caller ID for a local or toll-free number (at least via Grasshopper)? What appears on someone getting a call from us: only the phone number itself?

    4. I'm sorry, I don't think you answered that question. Would the settings (of an extension with a specific scheduled for example) for each numbers have to be set separately or one change in the setting would affect both numbers?

    Kind regards

     

  • KateG's avatar
    KateG
    GoTo Manager
    3 months ago

    Hi Virginie​, nice to see you, hope this helps, let us know if you have any questions: 

    • Can I transfer that local number to Grasshopper? It looks like I can using the “Add More Phone Numbers” button?
      • Yes, you can transfer any number they want to Grasshopper
    • If we transfer that number to Grasshopper, can we still receive calls to that number?
      • Grasshopper is a virtual phone service and while callers can still call that local number, you will need to input a call forwarding number in order to receive those calls. By transferring that local number to Grasshopper, it becomes a virtual phone number and will no longer work on the physical device it worked on before.
    • Do we still need to pay Telus for that number and for the forwarding or would the number be taken care of by Grasshopper directly and we wouldn’t need Telus anymore? If so, is there anything I need to do with Telus to release that phone number before we transfer it to Grasshopper?
      • If  you choose to transfer the number from Telus to Grasshopper, the number becomes a virtual number and you could cancel their Telus services (if you do not wish to have any other numbers with Telus)
    • If that local number can be transferred to Grasshopper, how do we change the name associated with that number so that the caller ID says what we want?
      • Grasshopper cannot set Caller IDs for local Canadian numbers.
    • What happens with the settings?
      • When you have multiple Grasshopper numbers on the account, only the one set of extensions can be used. You can determine how best to configure that - using main greetings to say which extensions callers can dial or use direct connect to forward calls to a particular extension
      • You can use any greeting in your library and/or create new. Whichever works better for your business
      • If the Grasshopper numbers are sharing an extension then yes, changes will impact both numbers. If numbers are utilizing different extensions then changes to 1 extension would not impact another extension
    • How can we make sure that the outgoing call is using the local number instead of the 855 number? Is it the Call Settings > Outgoing Calls > Local Number in the app? Why does it currently already let me choose “local number” now even though we don’t have one?
      • Once the new number is added to your account, you will be able to choose the outgoing number from the number dialer on the application. What you are currently seeing/referring to is an access number, which is how Grasshopper connects outgoing calls.

     

    You can also check out this article on Transferring a local number to Grasshopper