1-800 number vs. Local number. Which one is best?

[Joshua Carvalho]

I live in Pasadena, CA. I am near several real estate hotspots that are within a 10 minute driving distance from me that I would love to do wholesale deals in. However, their are 4 different area codes within 10 minutes of my home. All the articles and podcasts I hear tell me that the most effective phone numbers are local phone numbers. However, I think it would be strange to have a sign with a 626 area code in a 310 neighborhood, don't you think? Thus, I am concluding that in the L.A. area it would be more effective to have a 1-800 number because then I could set up bandit signs in several local neighborhoods and not be looked at as a non-local. Am I right or wrong? Should I still go with a 626 number?

[Ryan Dossey]

Local Gvoice number. I wouldn't call an 800 number. I also will answer a local number I don't know 9/10 times