Get yourself an 0870/0871 number

[cifpower]

Insert From Martin: Be careful with this one to ensure you don't breach the t&cs. !The idea is definitely useful, help to reclaim some consumer cash off the big companies raking it in with their own 0870s (see Say No To 0870: Don't pay to complain (http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1086555604,78422,))


I've just got myself an 0871 number. Give it to companies such as Sky. gas, electricity and your bank. When they ring you it will earn you up to 5p/minute. And when the balance is at £50 you will be sent a cheque. And it costs nothing to get the number.

http://www.theuknumbershop.co.uk/index.php?page=ng_0871

[cifpower]

Your current 01/02 number does not change and people can still ring you on that.

[Woby_Tide]

the best one is to use the 'call me back' facility on places like car insurance websites ;)

[mrsheen]

sounds good. i get loads of calls between 4-7 trying to sell me stuff cos i obviously buy so much stuff off the net and submit my details. if i start submitting this new number instead, i'd earn a packet! :) There's nothing dodgy about this is there?

[cifpower]

Nope. Absolutely nothing. The website details everything.

[royalsteve]

i might look into this more..what details do they need in order to pay you...not heard of them so wouldnt give them my bank details

if its genuine it would be a great way to repay those crooked companies that pay you to call their 0870 call centres to complain about their poor service

[cifpower]

They pay you by cheque -no bank details are required

[Sooler]

Can I set up a compulsory 15 minute wait on incoming calls on the 0870 number?

Keep the caller on the line racking up my call charge earnings. ;)

[Woby_Tide]

Either they've twigged or they do random checks, rejected as not a business. Was trying to replace existing 0871 number from numberzone as they are shutting down. Ah well

[Feisty_Fairy]

;) Thanks for that one!

I just set up 0871 number, any one wanna ring me??? lol.

This is gonna be perfect for me to give the annoying sainsburys home phone people who keep ringing me and insisting i owe them money for a line i never even had!!!! Even when i dont answer they leave messages so it will go in my favour, so they can leave as many as they like!!!

Thanks again thats a really good post!

Regards

Feisty! :-*

[walsgravematt]

Hi

thought you may like to know that you need to invoice them to receive any payment - it wont be sent automatically

"When is call revenue paid?
Statements are automatically emailed to customers around the 10th of each month. If the statement has a balance of £50.00 or more, simply send an invoice to our accounts payable department. If your balance is below £50 you won’t lose out, we simply carry the balance over to the next month and so on until you reach £50. Revenue payments are made around the 9th of the following month provided that a valid invoice has been received. This typically takes 4 weeks from the date of your statement."

HTH

WM

[jertzy]

i was rejected as a "private user" they only issue to businesses....

[flossy_splodge]

;D Oh yes! I like this VERY much. All those bureaucratic time wasting money absorbing organisations; look out!
For those who like a gentler approach, this website also offers 0870 nubers where the cash back to you is less as the charge to the calller is less. Something for everyone. :o

[Tony H]

I've pulled of a couple of the term's & conditions.

2.9 Business Use Only

5.0 A Pre Requisite that you must provide a full & complete copy of your previous telephone bill.

[AirCooledHeaven]

For some reason some european countries have problems connecting to 0871 numbers, although not 0870 numbers. Bear this in mind if you have friends/family/business colleagues overseas.

Some companies will only pay you if you exceed their incoming call threshold. My 0870 supplier (planet numbers) only pays if you have in excess of 2500 incoming call minutes per month.

[MarkP]

This is certainly a great idea, although I think this company is possibly not the best one to do this with.

I've just checked out www.telecomsworldplc.co.uk and their terms & conditions, as far as I can tell, don't mention anything about having to be a business or old phone bills etc. Their rebates are also better for most of the week and paid monthly at a minimum of only £5 which is far more realistic than the £50 above.

MarkP

[elvis_bloggs]

I am not quite clear on this subject, has anyone with a private phone line actually got this number :-/

[Popsie]

The Telecoms World website looks the best to me - they will send you a rebate after £5 and don't even need your bank details if you go for the free connection and free monthly rental 0871 number option. You don't seem to need to be a business, and the calls you receive from Companies/unwanted callers you give your 0871 number out to are directed to your home phone number - or whichever number you give them.

I've just signed up; I'm fed up with people like Barclaycard not wanting to speak to me on an ordinary telephone number, especially when I need to complain to them about something. Why should I ring them on an 0870 when they've ignored two letters from me? And yes, I already know about the anti-0870 number website (see Martin's tips on this) but Barclaycard get really sticky about speaking to you on it. Shame on them!

[boots_babe]

Thanks for your post Popsie - please can you give us the URL?

[mrtickle]

It was given in MarkP's post above.

Looks ok but it is a min 12 month contract, plus:
"5.4.1 Minimum usage charge for non-geographic numbers may be imposed without notice. "

So if I've read that correctly (I would want an 0871 which is non-geographic) they could decide to charge a fee of any amount to anyone receiving under, say, 1000 minutes of calls/month and I'd be stuck paying this charge for the rest of a year.

[GTG]

Just to add to mrtickle's post above (from T&C's)

5.8 TW shall in respect of each Service be entitled to review and vary from time to time the Charges and introduce new charges.


Anyone know of one with out a minimum contract period or with out a provision to introduce charges?

[bennotts]

I ordered one

[MarkP]

I think the issues about being able to introduce charges will be a standard condition with all companies, but if there is a company without a minimum contract time, then that is the way to go.

Keep looking guys, I'm sure we will find one.

MarkP

[rpain]

OK - how about this. If you can make 5 p per minute on calls to your number at the weekend then why not use up inclusive minutes from your mobile each month by calling that number? I pay £12.50 for a month's line rental with 3 for 500 free minutes. Obviously I use some of that but if I didn't and just phoned that number for 500 mins then it would make £25 per month (500 mins * 5p) = £175 profit for the half price line rental promotion from 3 for just leaving your mobile phone talking to your 0871 number for a few hours. Just an idea...

Richard

[boots_babe]

Sounds like an excellent plan, but there is one problem. Most mobile contracts only allow geographical numbers to count towards the free minutes allowance.

If I call an 0870/0871 number I still get charged :-( Nice try though!

[honeymonster]

Would you have to get two lines in your house, so that family and friends wouldn't have to pay anymore than they already do?

[flossy_splodge]

:) No, you just give selected people your original BT (or main provider) telephone so they bypass the expensive 0870/0871 number. Incidentally, I find that when calling a company with just a premium charge line , if I absolutely NEED to speak with them I ask the switchboard for their overseas dialling number as I am not calling from the UK. I have only ever been refused once. Thus bypassing the premium rate. I accept it means a short call to the 'expensive' number first but at least with '18866' prefix the cost is minimsed.
I have a legit business but have just been turned down for an 0871 number but reading the above think I'll wait a while to see what you clever lot turn up in terms of better T&C's.

[kaz1968]

Cifpower, thanks for the tip. Registered on Thursday, got an email yesterday to say 'thank you for your recent order, here is your 0871 number which is now set up and active'. I haven't been asked for a copy of my phone bill and the only comment I made on the application form was that I was self employed and worked from home, which incidentally is true. I have since handed out my number to all those lovely people who decide to ring me when it's not convenient. Wahay, Payback time ARGOS!!!!

Thanks Martin for such an informative website, your book is great. I have taken many a hint and tip and put it into practice. Keep up the good work.

;D

[k0sh]

There is another site that I use and rate very highly.

The call charges are less, so therfore you get less, but there are no restriction on who can get the numbers.

The call rates are 8p/min day, 4p/min evening, 2p/min weekends. You can divert to any UK landline without charge over the web.

You can also get 07017 numbers that can re-direct to mobiles, but you do not get commision on this as it is not allowed by oftel.

If you use the link below, I get a referral bonus as well :P

https://www.flextel.ltd.uk/cgi-bin/secure.sh?page=A154015


Best luck.

[Tino1970]

If I manage to get myself one of these numbers, can I then record a 15 minute answer phone message in the following vein:

To speak to the lady of the house, please press 1
To speak to the man of the house, please press 2
To speak to either child, please press 3

To speak about diary availability for the family please press 4
To check you have dialled the right number, please press 5
To find out the ending to last nights Eastenders, please press 6

I could go on for ages...ah the revenge. Watch out the AA.
;D

[JR]

Two points here.

Firstly, give that 0871 number to everyone ... all phone calls are an intrusion, let your callers decide is it worth making this call.

Secondly, Tino1970 you got that all wrong.

Where you need to start from is 'To find out the ending to last nights Eastenders, please press 1' work it backwards to the useful numbers. Also you may want to invent some household members before getting to the real people 'To speak to the Lady of the house, please press 99' Hmm ... thinking about you may not get as far as having to actually answer the phone at all!

Anyone know where I can get my hands on one of those 'To speak to .... please press 1' answer machines?

[flyer]

Just ordered mine. Seems harmless, didn't give any credit card details etc.

[steeev]

Anyone know where I can get my hands on one of those 'To speak to .... please press 1' answer machines?

you can get software for your pc that will do this i believe, you need a dialup modem in your pc and leave your pc on and the modem plugged in and the software activated and it will answer your calls for you, providing voicemailbox functionality and i believe it can also be used for call screening as you describe. i got a cd with software that could do this along with a modem i bought a long time ago, never tried it out though.

[Aubs]

There is another site that I use and rate very highly.

The call charges are less, so therfore you get less, but there are no restriction on who can get the numbers.

The call rates are 8p/min day, 4p/min evening, 2p/min weekends. You can divert to any UK landline without charge over the web.

You can also get 07017 numbers that can re-direct to mobiles, but you do not get commision on this as it is not allowed by oftel.

If you use the link below, I get a referral bonus as well :P

www.flextel.ltd.uk


From the T&C's:


Minimum Term
Unless we have otherwise agreed in writing, each FleXtel Number is issued to you for a minimum term of twelve months from the date that we first make the Services available to you and for a minimum of thirty (30) Call Days the "Minimum Usage".


and


What and How You Pay

...

You will be liable for all Charges for the Services provided to a FleXtel Number Ordered by you, whether or not used by you.

We may vary our Charges at any time. We will give you thirty days' notice of any variations which are relevant to you. We may also vary the terms and conditions of this Agreement from time to time if market conditions change or new legislation, statutory instruments or other governmental regulations or licences make it necessary.



So it is similar to the other sites posted in that during your minimum contract period, they can increase the charges...

Think I'll pass on it for now!

Thanks all the same to the Original Poster!

Aubs

[PTLD]

i did this months ago with a company
www.contactnumbers.com on 020 8458 3033
They have an offer on now until end November of giving these numbers 0800/0870/0871/0911 away to anyone - private or business free of charge with no minimums etc...

[k0sh]

Aubs,

I believe these T&C's are just normal business practice.

Don't get too worked about them!

I have had my numbers for 4 years without any changes or charges to me!

As the other member said, they do not even need you credit card details!

I can even register them and pass them on!

k0sh.

https://www.flextel.ltd.uk/cgi-bin/secure.sh?page=A154015

[tinalives]

I don't usually get involved in these discussions - I've got an 0870 number on my personal line (perk of the job) but I have to warn everyone out there to be careful of signing up for these numbers for personal use as there is usually a catch.

I'm suspicious about companies who offer these numbers to personal users as the administration involved does not usually make it worthwhile for the company to do it (ie more trouble than it's worth)

[tinalives]

I don't usually get involved in these discussions - I've got an 0870 (perk of the job) but I just wanted to warn everyone to be careful of signing up for these numbers for personal use as there is usually a catch.

I'm suspicious of companies who offer 0870's etc to personal users as the administration involved usually means it's not worthwhile for the company (ie. more trouble than it's worth).

[tinalives]

Something strange is happening to my posts ???

[elvis_bloggs]

I hope all the money earned by this method is declared to the tax man. :D

[queensway_boy]

cheers cifpower

[mechy]

Insert From Martin: Be careful with this one to ensure you don't breach the t&cs. *The idea is definitely useful, help to reclaim some consumer cash off the big companies raking it in with their own 0870s (see Say No To 0870: Don't pay to complain (http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/cgi-bin/viewnews.cgi?newsid1086555604,78422,))


I've just got myself an 0871 number. Give it to companies such as Sky. gas, electricity and your bank. When they ring you it will earn you up to 5p/minute. And when the balance is at £50 you will be sent a cheque. And it costs nothing to get the number.

http://www.theuknumbershop.co.uk/index.php?page=ng_0871


Just got to try that one.
Thanks

[mechy]

sounds good. i get loads of calls between 4-7 trying to sell me stuff cos i obviously buy so much stuff off the net and submit my details. if i start submitting this new number instead, i'd earn a packet! :) There's nothing dodgy about this is there?

My problem there is I am registered with the TPS, which stops all the nuiscance calls. I'll have to unregiater, to start earning the dosh!! Ha ha

[Str4berr3]

My problem there is I am registered with the TPS, which stops all the nuiscance calls. I'll have to unregiater, to start earning the dosh!! Ha ha


What is TPS? Can u give me more details about this as i don't want any nuisciance calls at all!!!

[pud1]

i'm very interested in this idea but was just having a look through their T&C and it said
Payment
7.1) The Customer shall pay for use of the Service according to The UK Number Shop’s tariff as amended from time to time.
7.2) Usage charges payable by the Customer shall be calculated by The UK Number Shop according to data recorded by The UK Number Shop .
7.3) The UK Number Shop shall invoice the Customer monthly or yearly for use of the Service and for any standing charges as indicated but the Customer is required to maintain the account in credit at all times.
7.4) Where the customer pays a monthly rental this will be collected by direct debit. If the customer cannot pay by direct debit The UK Number Shop will levy a £2.00 monthly administration charge.
7.5) The UK Number Shop reserve the right to make a charge of £25.00 for direct debits and cheques returned unpaid by the customer’s bank.
7.6) All sums due to The UK Number Shop under the terms of the Agreement are exclusive of Value Added Tax and/or any other taxes applicable at the appropriate rate, such taxes to be paid by the customer.
7.7) Failure to pay within 14 days of the invoice date may result in services being suspended or terminated at the discretion of The UK Number Shop (subject to section 8).

before going any further how much is it going to cost me

[Bash]

What is TPS? Can u give me more details about this as i don't want any nuisciance calls at all!!!

Your register your details with the The Telephone Preference Service & this should hopefully stop you getting those annoying & pushy phone calls, from canvassers, telesales & various other 'blood suckers'.

Heres their website: http://www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/

Its actually a good site for getting rid of all types of nuisance calls.
Hope it helps :)

[red]

I have just tried to order one of these, got refused and then emailed to ask why, and I got this reply: Hi

The numbers we provide are for business use only. If however you do run a
business you may Fax a copy of your latest landline telephone bill to: 0870 005 6820.

The bill needs to clearly show the business name, address and landline number.
Once we receive this from you we will happily proceed with your order.



Kind Regards


Support Team
The UK Number Shop

[conceptaE]

Tried these and had no luck so then i tried http://www.twplc.co.uk/ and bingo I got an 0871 number.

Don't know which company to give the number to first, Currys must owe me a small fortune