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

pin

I think it means what it says. Getting hold of hte Index is another matter though, however i'm sure someone will be able to dig it up!

charlie12

pricefighter wrote:

I know that calls to Freephone numbers are free on Orange contracts at the moment but i can see no where on their site which specifically covers this point.Can anyone else find anything?

In their tariff PDF, It looks like they have already removed the section where they show that Freefone (non calling card) numbers are free:

http://www.orange.co.uk/service_plans/downloads/pm_price_guides.pdf

I may have the previous PDF on my PC, I'll have a look. In the meantime, here's a pic from my Orange tariff booklet where it clearly shows Freefone voice/pager numbers are free:



If anyone else has the previous PDF please let us know.

Guys - also keep an eye out on the terms and conditions online and the version you have on paper - they'll probably sneak something in, closing any potential get-out clause (if they haven't done so already).

bbb_uk

To get out of your contract it all boils down to 4.31:-

..However this option does not apply if:
4.3.1 we have increased the Charges by an amount equal to or less than the percentage increase in the All Items Index of Retail Prices published by the Central Statistical Office in the Monthly Digest of Statistics in any 12 month period

I think they are referring to the Retail Price Index (RPI) [url=here. I think here is where you get the latest RPI figures.

The second row down (Retail Prices Index (all items)) reads to me that the annual change is 2.8 (i assume percent). Therefore my calculation is that if it's free and goes up by 10p it has gone up by more than 2.8% and therefore would mean you could escape your contract.

I'm no financial expert (of any kind) so if somebody who is financially aware can confirm/deny my figures are correct then I'm sure everyone would be grateful?

thelawnet

pricefighter wrote:

Just heard that Orange are to start charging contract customers,from the 1/12/2005 for calls to Freephone 0500/0800/0808. numbers.

Calls will be charged at 10p a minute,and WILL NOT be included in inclusive minutes.

I have spoken to Orange CS and they have confirmed it is true.Bang goes the old mobile overide 0800 loophole.

Guess they will lose a few customers over this.O2 of course still allow calls to 0500/0800/0808 out of their inclusive minutes,and Payg inclusive minute bolt ons.

They are already doing this on 00800 numbers (free Europe-wide). They gave me some feeble excuse about the way the money was reclaimed and wouldn't refund my call cost. They are totally clueless about call costs.

I called some 0871 numbers for calling overseas. Before doing so I was told it was included in call time. When I found a large bill next month they apologised and they refunded my money.

When I asked how much it was they said 10p a minute. So I made more calls.

When I checked my bill next month (they dont' give itemised bills) they were actually charging me at 50p/minute. I called them up and they promised to call me back. They didn't.

I spent several hours on the phone.

The third CS accused me of lying about what i had been told and said I wasn't allowed to call these numbers anyway because Orange has been banning them. I said 'you didn't tell your customers did you?' She was very rude.

So I called them again, asked them the cost of these numbers, without mentioning my dispute. They told me the same they had originally told me, 12p (or thereabouts). So I recorded the call, and wrote Orange a letter with a spreadsheet showing the difference between what they had charged me and what they had told me it would cost. They wrote back again telling me the cost was 12p.

I replied threatening to take them to court. They finally sent me a refund (but for less than it should have been).

That is why I am cancelling my contract with these monkeys.

pin

Orange, before the French and bean counters took them over, used to be the best of a bad bunch. I would even go as far as saying they actually used to be a decent outfit offering reasonable tariffs, good customer services and innovative services.

Now things have gone very pear shaped and the future is no longer bright for orange.

charlie12

pin wrote:

Orange, before the French and bean counters took them over, used to be the best of a bad bunch. I would even go as far as saying they actually used to be a decent outfit offering reasonable tariffs, good customer services and innovative services.

Now things have gone very pear shaped and the future is no longer bright for orange.

I agree totally. I've had almost 10 contracts with them since 2000. I always recommend Orange to others and they (used to) have a distinct feeling of quality when compared to other providers.

However in the past year or so, they've lost the plot - crap tariffs, ridiculous upgrade deals for existing customers (unless you spend £100+ a month), continuous price hikes, and a rapid decline in customer service quality - their service was once impeccable IMO. Not anymore

shahidemran

Any idea about 07744 numbers, they offered these numbers in inclusive minutes just a month ago.

charlie12

shahidemran wrote:

Any idea about 07744 numbers, they offered these numbers in inclusive minutes just a month ago.

They are still included in xnet minutes, impossible to know how long it will last, massive discussion thread here

pin

oh yes and their new ads are cr*p

narol

noticed on simplyfone website that 07744974404 includes calls to 0845 & 0870 too.

useful to use