Orange to start charging for calls to 0500/0800/0808 Freephone Numbers.

imported_Riz

I have recieved this month's bill and there is no mention of the 0800 charges (and I use 0800 numbers several times a day). Could it be that because I'm on ED50 I won't be charged? Also, I phoned Orange CS and they seemed pretty sure I would be exempt.

What tariffs are you on Pricefighter and Stabilo?

Riz

Stabilo

imported_Riz wrote:

I have recieved this month's bill and there is no mention of the 0800 charges (and I use 0800 numbers several times a day). Could it be that because I'm on ED50 I won't be charged? Also, I phoned Orange CS and they seemed pretty sure I would be exempt.

What tariffs are you on Pricefighter and Stabilo?

Riz

I am on ED50 but I assume you need to ask for the bundle or you will not get it.

Stabilo

I received this email from customer services yesterday:

Dear XXXXX

Thank you for your email.

Unfortunately we are unable to answer your account specific query via e-mail. Please call our Customer Services on 150 from an Orange phone, or 07973 100150 from any other non Orange phone. Our Helpdesk is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and any of our representatives will be pleased to assist you.

Kind regards

Maureen

Orange Customer Services

I guess you need to ring for the freephone bundle. Don't you just find the Data Protection Act a pain in the !!!!!! at times. It's not very likely that you would object to someone fraudulently adding a freephone bundle to your account is it?

imported_Riz

I keep getting conflicting messages from Orange CS - I phoned a second time to discuss this and the agent seemed a bit unsure of himself - he thinks that the charges won't start until 1/1/06.

Personally, I'm going to wait and see what happens - once they actually start charging then I'll consider my options.

Fry_2

Firstly, thanks to all for this discussion and ideas! I was ready for the surprise on my bill so I took it calmly and wrote to Customer Services (and CC to the managing directors just to give them idea by which the company may be loosing market share to O2). To cut a long story short, I was unsuccessful but I will probably try ringing them too.

The only thing that I don't think was mentioned before was the 10 pence/min charge for 0800/0500 numbers from 1st December.

The answer received today is below. Just as background, I am on Everyday 50 and my bill is no more than about £25 per month. I use an 0800 number for a One Tel account and probably make one 5 to 10 min phone call a day using this method. I made the point in my e-mail of saying how I was disappointed by the fact that charges are increasing for three items (and that in the time I have had a contract with Orange, always been happy with customer service).

*Quote - Customer Services*
I am sorry to hear that you are unhappy about being charged for an
itemised invoice, freephone numbers and the increase in charges for
international text messaging.

From 1st December 2005 all 0800 and 0500 freephone calls cost 10 pence
per minute (including VAT) on all Orange tariffs. When you call a
freephone number, a voice message will remind you that you'll be charged for
the call. This move brings PAY Monthly inline with PAYG and OVP
customers who are already changed in this way. All the other major UK networks change for these numbers.

Please be assured that charity lines supported by the Telephone
Helpline Association will still be free.

I understand your concerns around not having an itemised invoice
however itemised billing in not a mandatory service and you can choose not
have an itemised invoice if you wish to avoid the charge. The Everyday 50
tariff has remained the same since 1999, but Orange's costs to support
it have increased. Therefore we have reviewed the pricing and amended
it.

We have also reviewed the pricing of sending international text
messages against our competitors and have amended it accordingly. The new
international text messaging charge is still competitive with other mobile
operators.

I would like to take the opportunity emphasise that you are a valued
customer and I hope that you will remain with Orange when you look to
renew your contract in 2006.

pricefighter

imported_Riz wrote:

I keep getting conflicting messages from Orange CS - I phoned a second time to discuss this and the agent seemed a bit unsure of himself - he thinks that the charges won't start until 1/1/06.

Personally, I'm going to wait and see what happens - once they actually start charging then I'll consider my options.

Some people have already got announcements on bills an E-Mails confirming charging for 0800 starts on 1/12/05.

pin

Does that mean 0808 numbers will remain free? (or am I repeating what someone has already said?)

pricefighter

pin wrote:

Does that mean 0808 numbers will remain free? (or am I repeating what someone has already said?)

No they want remain free.But some people appear to have been able to negotiate free 0800 call bundles for the duration of their contract,by complaining about the increase.

pin

I was just being pedantic, because Orange have said it is only 0800 and 0500 numbers that will incur charges, they didn't mention 0808 numbers. However like you said, chances of them being free are very unlikely.

imported_Riz

I phoned Orange for a third time praying it's not true - they are definitey bringing in these charges on 1/12/05. Oh well, it was good while it lasted...
I am (was!) a very heavy user of QxDial - Vodafone here I come...