Cost of calling 0844 numbers?

[manrow]

MoneySavingExpert.com Insert:
There's lots more on this and cutting the cost of calling other numbers in our
Say No to 0870 article.

Anyone know the cost to call these relatively new 0844 numbers.

BT site trying desperately hard to hide the answers, or rather succeeding?

Thanks

[manrow]

Using the BT answerback system I now know that the number I called for 2 minutes and 45 seconds cost me 13p excluding VAT etc..

Since I believe the system does not include the 5p connection charge it seem that 4p per minute is the answer to my own question!

[Heinz]

The cost of calling 0844 numbers from a BT landline varies from ½p/minute to 5p/minute depending on the number's 5th, 6th and 7th digits.

That's why they're used by the many dial-through (gateway) providers listed in the MSE Callcheckers - so, for example, rates to different countries can be ½p, 1p, 2p. 3p, 4p or 5p per minute.

For the full list of BT rates for such numbers, see HERE.

[manrow]

Thanks Heinz, the beans are clearly doing what you expect, with a free passage of information!

Thanks again.

[brodie4]

If I call one of these numbers from a bt landline to a foreign country am I charged the gateway providers per minute cost and also BT's per minute cost?

[Heinz]

Originally Posted by brodie4

If I call one of these numbers from a bt landline to a foreign country am I charged the gateway providers per minute cost and also BT's per minute cost?

You'd be charged the BT 'call set-up fee' (6p) plus cost of the 0844 call - ½p, 1p or whatever per minute.

[brodie4]

Thanks for that,but how do they do it so cheap? it's costing me 2p per min. but to use BT it would be 87p per min.....how can they justify that?

[websleuth]

I called billing enquiries and the BT person ran the number through an application to let me know the cost of a call. Tell them the number and they will tell you the charge.

My Dr's Surgery has an 0844 number and is charging patients the maximum to call.

Calls to the Dr's 0844 number costs 6p connection charge +5p per minute. A three minute call would cost 21 p. If the receptionist puts you on hold for 5 minutes then that's an extra 25p. Other operators and mobile providers can add their own extra charges on top. Don't forget to add VAT to this so that Gordon and Alistair get their share.

That means a single mother on benifits with a pay as you go mobile could pay 50p to call the Dr and make an appointment.

I believe the Dr's make about 1.225p per minute from these charges. not enough to pay for the Aston Martin DB9 with the personalised number plate parked outside the surgery but it might buy one new tyre every year.

Dr's might have started running their own businesses but they have a long way to go to understand customer satisfation and service.

[Heinz]

Originally Posted by Heinz

You'd be charged the BT 'call set-up fee' (6p) plus cost of the 0844 call - ½p, 1p or whatever per minute.

7p 'call set-up fee' on BT from 16-9-08.

[sebastianj]

Best thing to do is to look up' say no to 0844/45' numbers on the internet and use the alternative number at local rates.
seb

[websleuth]

Looking up the alternatative isn't always possible.

I called a local number and spoke to a district nurse inside the building but she said there was no alternative to the 0844 number for calling the surgery. She aplogised but did not know how much it cast to call the surgery on the 0844 number.

[Heinz]

Originally Posted by websleuth

I called a local number and spoke to a district nurse inside the building but she said there was no alternative to the 0844 number for calling the surgery. She aplogised but did not know how much it cast to call the surgery on the 0844 number.

Well, the Practice Manager will - and how much cut the surgery is taking.

It'll be 5p per minute to you (the patient who has already paid for the NHS - and each GP's £100,000+ salary - through your taxes).

[SimonGG]

Dont forget the 'NORMAL' cost to a standard number is 4ppm plus a 7p connection charge

[Heinz]

Originally Posted by SimonGG

Dont forget the 'NORMAL' cost to a standard number is 4ppm plus a 7p connection charge

Not for those on inclusive calls packages or who use 1899, 18866 or 18185,

[MuffyMan]

They seem to have hidden the costs again. The link above no longer works.

[Jake'sGran]

Originally Posted by MuffyMan

They seem to have hidden the costs again. The link above no longer works.

I have just been reading this thread. The company I use is excellent with some international calls costing 1p per minute - 4p to Australia. They have a great package whereby you pay £10.50 for line rental with free calls at weekend and evenings. I should be getting totally free calls from AOL but they can't get their act together so I have gone back to Primus. I have asked them what 0844 numbers cost but in the meantime here is their link:

www.primustel.co.uk

[Heinz]

Originally Posted by MuffyMan

They seem to have hidden the costs again. The link above no longer works.

If you mean my link to the BT Specialised Numbers Price List in post #3 above from 26-9-2007, it was out of date.

I have replaced it now with the current (November 2008) version.

http://www.productsandservices.bt.co...ialisedNos.pdf

[BexTech]

Originally Posted by Jake'sGran

I have just been reading this thread. The company I use is excellent with some international calls costing 1p per minute - 4p to Australia. They have a great package whereby you pay £10.50 for line rental with free calls at weekend and evenings. I should be getting totally free calls from AOL but they can't get their act together so I have gone back to Primus. I have asked them what 0844 numbers cost but in the meantime here is their link:

www.primustel.co.uk

Many people on here use Primus, usually Primus Saver.

http://www.primussaver.co.uk

It's also recommended not to move line rental away from BT as only BT are forced to allow you to use cheap call providers, others can and do block access.

It's possible to call Australia landline for 0.5p per minute, making the 4p/min 8 times more expensive.

[frostie 155]

If you get free calls, try a site called "say no to 0870" as it sometimes gives an alternative land line number



Frostie

[celticmoneysaver]

Thanks for those wonderful price lists could it get any simpler LOL
I wanted to check out price now have to pay to ring CAB for an appointment here in Cornwall it is 0844499 4188..so I'm reckoning on that being 'g6' 4.255 -4.894 per minute plus set up charge I guess..here's hoping I don't have to explain my reason for wanting an appointment..before they give me one?
Think I will get back to that next week:rolleyes: