call setup charges

icarusi

Just noticed my PO Homephone charge has jumped from 3p to 6p, but BT and Talktalk, for two are at 7p.

AFAICS it's a flat fee on top of any chargeable call, allthough it's not explained anywhere in any detail, in fact it's hard to find it mentioned at all.

I think this charge should be hauled out of the small print and up near the top of the rates ladder where it belongs!

I'll try my local Trading Standards tomorrow.

Bufflowbill

Most major suppliers have followed Virgin Media,s example and increased the fee to 7p.

OldGreyFox

icarusi wrote: »

Just noticed my PO Homephone charge has jumped from 3p to 6p, but BT and Talktalk, for two are at 7p.

AFAICS it's a flat fee on top of any chargeable call, allthough it's not explained anywhere in any detail, in fact it's hard to find it mentioned at all.

I think this charge should be hauled out of the small print and up near the top of the rates ladder where it belongs!

I'll try my local Trading Standards tomorrow.

Their tariff page,s couldnt be more clearer.I quote

"Call charges

There is a call connection charge of 6p per call for:
• Daytime national and local calls to numbers beginning 01, 02 or 03;
• Number Translation Services calls; e.g. 0845, 0870, 0871 and other 08xx numbers,
although the connection charge does not apply to freephone numbers;
• Premium Rate Numbers, e.g. numbers beginning 09xx, although the connection charge
does not apply to freephone numbers or numbers with a fixed fee element;
• Directory enquiry calls except where there is a fixed fee element;
• International calls (including calls to International mobiles) excluding if the
call is started in a charge period that is free;
• Calls to mobiles excluding if the call is started in a charge period that is free;
• Calls to 05xx number range;

• Calls to personal numbering services"

icarusi

Bufflowbill wrote: »

Most major suppliers have followed Virgin Media,s example and increased the fee to 7p.

I think I'll have a word with my MP about getting the practice banned. It's not as if it's a *real* charge such as may be associated with accessing another network where a 'per call' charge might be levied and recharged, it's just a weasely device trumped up by the bean counters to make headline call rates *appear* lower, the same sort of people who brought you sub-prime mortgages and credit default swaps etc.

icarusi

OldGreyFox wrote: »

Their tariff page,s couldnt be more clearer.I quote

"Call charges
There is a call connection charge of 6p per call for:
• Daytime national and local calls to numbers beginning 01, 02 or 03;
• Number Translation Services calls; e.g. 0845, 0870, 0871 and other 08xx numbers,
although the connection charge does not apply to freephone numbers;
• Premium Rate Numbers, e.g. numbers beginning 09xx, although the connection charge
does not apply to freephone numbers or numbers with a fixed fee element;
• Directory enquiry calls except where there is a fixed fee element;
• International calls (including calls to International mobiles) excluding if the
call is started in a charge period that is free;
• Calls to mobiles excluding if the call is started in a charge period that is free;
• Calls to 05xx number range;

• Calls to personal numbering services"

Who's tariff page is this, and where is it?

OldGreyFox

icarusi wrote: »

Who's tariff page is this, and where is it?

Post Office Homephone of Course.

Visit : http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/jump1?catId=68600711&mediaId=19300217

and then click on current rates.

Heinz

icarusi wrote: »

I think I'll have a word with my MP about getting the practice banned.

Dream on. He/she isn't bothered.

They don't pay their own phone bills, accommodation charges (incl. Council Tax), transport, for their own food, alcohol, clothing, 'entertainment' etc. etc.

icarusi

icarusi wrote: »

I'll try my local Trading Standards tomorrow.

Just written to my MP,

www.writetothem.com

to try and get 'call setup charges':-

1) banned.

2) if not banned, then displayed in the same place and size as the headline rates.

3) if not banned, then justified, like bank and credit card charges need to be.

icarusi

OldGreyFox wrote: »

Post Office Homephone of Course.

Visit : http://www.postoffice.co.uk/portal/po/jump1?catId=68600711&mediaId=19300217

and then click on current rates.

Exactly!! Not even on the main 'call rates page'. There is a mention there but it's at the bottom of of a para on defining daytim/weekend etc. as if it wasn't a charge at all.

icarusi

Heinz wrote: »

Dream on. He/she isn't bothered.

They don't pay their own phone bills, accommodation charges (incl. Council Tax), transport, for their own food, alcohol, clothing, 'entertainment' etc. etc.

Mines pretty good, especially in a marginal seat. Votes for questions.

billsavings

Why dont you use an alternative supplier like www.18185.co.uk for your chargeable calls. Ok you still pay a 5p connection charge but the calls should be cheaper.