Phoning RAC/AA when broken down

chrispbug

Can anyone tell me if ringing any of the breakdown organisations on your mobile when you're broken down is free.
I know the numbers are 0800 numbers but are they in fact free ?

anewman

I seem to remember when I was with t-mobile many years ago they had a list of 0800 numbers that really were free, and I remember these included child line and AA and RAC.

Only way to tell is to check all the documentation/contract details of your mobile phone provider. Chances are with most you have to pay now.

goldspanners

chrispbug wrote: »

Can anyone tell me if ringing any of the breakdown organisations on your mobile when you're broken down is free.
I know the numbers are 0800 numbers but are they in fact free ?

any 0800 number will be charged for from any mobile phone. 0800 is only free if you call from a landline.

hewhoisnotintheknow

are you planning a breakdown?

brightonman123

it may depend on what network you are on, as to whether they count RAC/AA breakdown in same way as a 999 call..

Hintza

hewhoisnotintheknow wrote: »

are you planning a breakdown?

LOL I was wondering this, or got a date with a person at the call centre?

RichyRich

O2 certainly charge. But for the length of time you're actually gonna be on the phone, does it really matter all that much? If so, walk to a phone box and ring, pay bu88er all, and wait a bit longer for the breakdown truck to arrive...

Thunderbird_2

AA and RAC alternative numbers can found on saynoto0870.com
For example,
TheAA free number 0800 887766 can be reached on 0191 2237008
RAC free number 0800 828282 can be reached on 01922 436000

Always keep the free numbers saved on your mobile as well because these geographical numbers are not always guaranteed, but, good if the work. Double check the above website for more informnation (and possibley more numbers)

Good luck (and hoping you will not need to call the breakdown services)

Barry_Mung

Thanks for the 'geographic' numbers Thunderbird.

It makes me wonder why they use these 'FREE' numbers at all for breakdown services.

Most people that break down will not be near a landline or want to try and find one, its likely nowadays someone in the vehical will have a mobile if the driver doesn't, so they will use their mobile.

The irony of it is, the breakdown service pays, the caller pays, everyone's a looser! Pretty dumb eh? You'd think they'd of sorted this out by now!

Well, don't know if this little trick has been posted before, its handy for people without a landline too, bringing them 0800/0500 'FREE' numbers back to where they belong, FREE!

Just set up a Tesco internet phone account, select a geographic number of your liking, go through the rather long winded registration process, re-direct it to the 0500/0800 number, call from mobile and if you have bundled minutes, its free again. Simple. I did it for Tesco clubcard, another for an information service and until this loophole is closed, I think FREE should mean FREE!

I expect there are other virtual telco's that allow this (for now) but for how long?

At the end of the day, why should everyone pay when its meant to be free for the end user?

This could possibly save you £££ on 0845 numbers too.

Have fun!

hewhoisnotintheknow

Barry_Mung wrote: »

Thanks for the 'geographic' numbers Thunderbird.

It makes me wonder why they use these 'FREE' numbers at all for breakdown services.

Most people that break down will not be near a landline or want to try and find one, its likely nowadays someone in the vehical will have a mobile if the driver doesn't, so they will use their mobile.

The irony of it is, the breakdown service pays, the caller pays, everyone's a looser! Pretty dumb eh? You'd think they'd of sorted this out by now!

Well, don't know if this little trick has been posted before, its handy for people without a landline too, bringing them 0800/0500 'FREE' numbers back to where they belong, FREE!

Just set up a Tesco internet phone account, select a geographic number of your liking, go through the rather long winded registration process, re-direct it to the 0500/0800 number, call from mobile and if you have bundled minutes, its free again. Simple. I did it for Tesco clubcard, another for an information service and until this loophole is closed, I think FREE should mean FREE!

I expect there are other virtual telco's that allow this (for now) but for how long?

At the end of the day, why should everyone pay when its meant to be free for the end user?

This could possibly save you £££ on 0845 numbers too.

Have fun!

its probably historical from before mobiles were popular

how many times a year do you have to call them

scbk

RichyRich wrote: »

But for the length of time you're actually gonna be on the phone, does it really matter all that much?

You'd think it would only be a short call, I know someone who broke down and was on hold with the AA for around 25mins before he got through to an operator!:eek: