"...generally I don't want to wait longer than I have to for the information I want. A couple dollars isn't that big of a deal for me for the convenience."

I would just take that time to try to find a pen to write the number down with. Usually they connect the call for you, but it never seems to fail that I have to call back for some reason and then have to call 411 to get the again.

Actually, this has all become a moot point for me because I now keep a phone book in the car.