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Primus charging 10p for 0800 freecalls
Patr100
Posts: 2,805 Forumite
in Phones & TV
Was a bit surprised to find on my online bill that Primus is charging me 10p per call for 0800 (freephone) calls. I thought they would be at the Bt rate - ie nothing!
I assume I need to use the BT over ride 1280 to avoid paying for these calls?
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I assume I need to use the BT over ride 1280 to avoid paying for these calls?
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It's an error on their billing system.
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=219212
Phone them up (1280 0800 036 3839) and get them to credit the overcharge(s).
They may even offer a £5 credit (they have for some).
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=220094
OTOH, it certainly wouldn't hurt to 1280 all 080 calls.Time has moved on (much quicker than it used to - or so it seems at my age) and my previous advice on residential telephony has been or is now gradually being overtaken by changes in the retail market. Hence, I have now deleted links to my previous 'pearls of wisdom'. I sincerely hope they helped save some of you money.0 -
Thanks Heinz, couldn't find anything on my search before I posted.
Just phoned them and they are refunding the amount.
No £5 credit but then my bill is now only 49p so can't complain!
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I can't view my statement as it has not complied yet even though I've had the account for a while, but I don't think I've made any chargeable calls yet. Can you look at current calls, like you can on 18866 etc.0
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No, not with Primus you can't.iomexico wrote:I can't view my statement as it has not complied yet even though I've had the account for a while, but I don't think I've made any chargeable calls yet. Can you look at current calls, like you can on 18866 etc.Time has moved on (much quicker than it used to - or so it seems at my age) and my previous advice on residential telephony has been or is now gradually being overtaken by changes in the retail market. Hence, I have now deleted links to my previous 'pearls of wisdom'. I sincerely hope they helped save some of you money.0 -
My daughter used an 0844 number, as obtained from MSE Callchecker, to phone France at (supposedly) 0.5ppm, but these calls have come out much more expensive.
Is this also a Primus billing system error, or should such calls be routed through BT?
Thanks for any enlightenment!0 -
Generally it is cheaper to route calls to 084x/087x numbers via BT first (using BT override 1280 before dialling the 08x/087x number). Many CPS providers (Primus, OneTel, TalkTalk, etc) do charge more than BT for calls to 084x/087x numbers.Barter wrote:My daughter used an 0844 number, as obtained from MSE Callchecker, to phone France at (supposedly) 0.5ppm, but these calls have come out much more expensive.
Is this also a Primus billing system error, or should such calls be routed through BT?
You would be best using Call18185 which charges the same but without the connection charge. You do need to create an account with them though but Call18185 are cheaper for mobiles I think now.
I think maybe the callchecker should make it more clear that the charge quoted is based from a BT landline and that other telecom providers may charge more!0 -
Primus continue to be very confused with their charging policy for 084 and 087 calls. If you ask them what they charge, they tell you they charge the BT undiscounted 0845 rates for calls to 0844 and 0845 numbers (which accounts for your daughter not being charged 0.5p/minute for the dial-through number she used) and the BT undiscounted 0870 rates for calls to 0870 and 0871 numbers. I doubt the latter because, as many 0871 numbers are 10p/minute, they'd be losing hand over fist of they charged 7.91p/minute.Barter wrote:My daughter used an 0844 number, as obtained from MSE Callchecker, to phone France at (supposedly) 0.5ppm, but these calls have come out much more expensive.
Is this also a Primus billing system error, or should such calls be routed through BT?
Anyway, bearing in mind that the MSE Callcheckers show prices charged by BT from a residential landline, the solution for anyone with a BT line but using a CPS provider like Primus is (as you say) simply to use a 1280 prefix to 'hop back onto' BT for such calls.Time has moved on (much quicker than it used to - or so it seems at my age) and my previous advice on residential telephony has been or is now gradually being overtaken by changes in the retail market. Hence, I have now deleted links to my previous 'pearls of wisdom'. I sincerely hope they helped save some of you money.0 -
I've tried clicking the 'Thanks' button but it doesn't seem to register, but many thanks to you both for your helpful replies.0
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It works for me hence reason why you have a 'thanks'!Barter wrote:I've tried clicking the 'Thanks' button but it doesn't seem to register, but many thanks to you both for your helpful replies.0 -
Thanks again - I keep trying to click the button but I've obviously got a glitch. There's an 'eeror on page' message & I'm sometimes getting the forum in what looks like a draft version - e.g. no gridlines.
I guess I might have to post on the 'Techie' board.....0
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