18866/Finarea Unnotified Price Rise Scam

NonGeographicalMan · 20 September 2005 at 2:51PM

Those of you who participate in this forum may be interested in the thread that is now running on this subject over in the www.saynoto0870.com discussion forum.

http://www.saynoto0870.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.cgi?board=cheapcalls;action=display;num=1125944907

***As this links to another forum where this post can be seen and as it contained email addresses, I have edited it out in accordance with MSE rules, thank you Board Guide***

pricefighter · 20 September 2005 at 8:25PM

Are Finerea getting to big for their boots i wonder, in the last hour or so i have read on the net at least 3 complaints about the way, they do not respond to valid questions about problems with their products.Their was a time they would have replied,have they overstretched thereselves?.After all their family does seem to be growing like Topsy.

I have been trying to get a reply about their 18185 mobile and cable access numbers but to no avail.

fbrj · 20 September 2005 at 8:26PM

NonGeographicalMan wrote:

Those of you who participate in this forum may be interested in the thread that is now running on this subject over in the www.saynoto0870.com discussion forum.

Scam? NGM, I have looked through the other thread that you refer to and your numerous posts on the above subject.

I know your comments are probably correct as a matter of principle - but can you really expect a 5* service from an operator (ie 18866) charging (so relatively) little? In an ideal world we all would, of course, like plenty of warning of any price increases (specifically, the recent hike in the connection charge from 2p to 3p/call), a customer service rep to talk to and e-mails answered instantly - but having all those would absolutely guarantee that the 3p/call no longer existed!! Ask yourself what most/all 18866 customers would prefer? I am sure the vast majority would want cheap calls coupled with a reliable (ie good quality connection) service. Like many things in life you pays your money and you takes your choice...

Also, I would think that consumers who are savvy enough in the first place to sign up with 18866 would be aware of the connection price increase despite not being sent a notifyng e-mail, or being told, after dialling, the price of a call "0p per minute" etc is subject to a 3p connection charge (these I think are your main complaints?). On a more practical level, I wonder how many 18866 customers are currently completely and blissfully unaware that the connection charge is now 3p? Not many I suspect.

The 18866 www site is pretty clear.....on the 1st page (http://www.18866.com/), and twice on the main page (http://www.call18866.co.uk/index2.php) and twice on their rates page (http://www.call18866.co.uk/rates.php) it quite clearly states that calls are subject to a 3p connection fee.

All in all, although as I mentioned earlier you are correct in principle, I think you are being a little harsh in the circumstances. If you are really concerned/worried that 18866 might suddenly increase its connection charge to, say, £1 with no warning....then you don't need to take that particular risk! If that ever happened I can't imagine 18866 (and all its numerous sister companies) would have a single customer left. To my mind, the probability of that happening is small and is a risk that I'm prepared to take.

ps My only connection with 18866 etc is as a customer. I have been using them and many of its affiliates for over 9 months (in conjunction with the Orchid dialler) - and, to date, they have saved me a fortune!

the_devil_made_me_do_it · 20 September 2005 at 8:28PM

hmmm thanks for the advice, but not too sure whether it's hot air.. will wait and see, and deceide later.
I happen to agree with the above post.

NonGeographicalMan · 20 September 2005 at 8:33PM

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote:

hmmm thanks for the advice, but not too sure whether it's hot air.. will wait and see, and deceide later.
I happen to agree with the above post.

How can it be hot air?

They have increased their price and they didn't tell anyone.

the_devil_made_me_do_it · 20 September 2005 at 8:35PM

oh by the way ( slightly detering from the subject

). I received my invoices from 18866/1899 and 18185 before my credit card bill arrived, the amounrs owing weren't huge.. but no cash has been charged to my card.. do they wait till you have accumulated a certain amount first??

the_devil_made_me_do_it · 20 September 2005 at 8:37PM

NonGeographicalMan wrote:

How can it be hot air?

They have increased their price and they didn't tell anyone.

that's why they can charge a 3p connection fee and no pence per minute for calls which can last forever, where as ntl or bt charge a fortune per minute and a connection fee, and spend the rest of their time spamming or sending bills through the post.

+ I did say I thought it might be hot air..

pricefighter · 20 September 2005 at 8:40PM

The thought occured to me that if they or 1899 increase their connection charge again,it would make some of the inclusive call packages that other providers offer (who are accountable),more attractive to higher users.

However having said they are doing an excellent job in keeping my phone bill down at the moment.

NonGeographicalMan · 20 September 2005 at 8:41PM

fbrj wrote:

Scam? NGM, I have looked through the other thread that you refer to and your numerous posts on the above subject.

ps My only connection with 18866 etc is as a customer. I have been using them and many of its affiliates for over 9 months (in conjunction with the Orchid dialler) - and, to date, they have saved me a fortune!

18866 are going to save you a lot less of a fortune at 3p per call than 1p per call! Especially as you can now have unlimited 01/02 calls for £7.50 per month with https://www.tele2.co.uk

Notice that I didn't complain when 18866 increased connection from 1p to 2p per call as I could see the 1p rate was unlikely to last and they were still the cheapest.

But by going to 3p so soon after the 2p rise they are no longer uniquely the cheapest and more disgraceful is to withhold the information. Also all calls plans are getting cheaper all the time. There will soon be a crossover.

I only found out about the 18866 price rise 12 days after the event but as I rarely visit the 18866 website it could have been two months later when I got a bill. I have several relatives who I have signed up to this service who do not visit this forum or saynoto0870. How would they know of the price rise when 18866 still says "zero p per minute" on their announcement and does not quote the connection charge.

As for going to a £10 per call connection charge and then clearing off with the profits after 30 days before anyone catches them that may be their final master stroke.

You say you have no connection with Finarea but you sound just like their managing director.

ginger_nuts · 20 September 2005 at 8:51PM

the_devil_made_me_do_it wrote:

oh by the way ( slightly detering from the subject ). I received my invoices from 18866/1899 and 18185 before my credit card bill arrived, the amounrs owing weren't huge.. but no cash has been charged to my card.. do they wait till you have accumulated a certain amount first??

if you have the invoice them they want there money .Probably just your CC bill was calculated first .Will probably be on the next bill .My friend had to wait 11 months for his second invoice .Even then the call came to less than £5 .

barjam_2 · 20 September 2005 at 9:03PM

just noticed on 1899 that when you try to ring a personal no. ie patientline in hospitals dont work no more i am with bt but found that if you use the ntl no. 0808 etc.. it used to work ... but tried using it tonight and they have stopped it grrrrrrrrr:mad:

18866/Finarea Unnotified Price Rise Scam

Comments

Confirm your email address to Create Threads and Reply

🚀 Getting Started

Categories

Is this how you want to be seen?

Get our FREE Weekly email full of deals & guides - and it’s spam-free