Discount Dial versus 18185

matrix999

Hi Folks,

Got a question, hopefully someone can answer it.

With Discount Dial you call a 0844 number and get charged straight away with BT whether or not your call is onward connected.

I've been told that 18185 does not charge you until the call is connected.

So, lets say a call is 1 minute in length to a UK Mobile Phone during a weekday, would the charges work out as below:

Discount Dial: 077XX 111111 60 seconds Cost: 0.042 (minimum charge)
18185: 077XX 111111 60 seconds Cost: 0.09 (4p Connection+ 5p min)

Heinz

18185 charge per second.

My last weekday call to a mobile was 1 minute 35 seconds and 18185 charged me 11.92p (incl. VAT).

That's 4p connection + 5p for one minute + 2.91667p (35/60ths of 5p for the 35 seconds) = 11.91667p (which, rounded to 2 decimal places, becomes 11.92p).

redux

A tricky issue, but actually the calls are not the same length, which you pointed out at the beginning. A one minute call to the mobile includes Discount Dial's extra time while it rings.

Swings and roundabouts I think. You'll probably save about a penny and a half sometimes if you always got it right. I'd usually use a mobile's inclusive minutes to call another one.

matrix999

Heinz wrote:

18185 charge per second.

My last weekday call to a mobile was 1 minute 35 seconds and 18185 charged me 11.92p.

Ok,

Thanks for that, looks like Discount Dial is cheaper overall.

I called Discount Dial for 1 minute and 26 secounds and was charged as follows:

14 FEB 18:31 0844 4288585 00:01:26 0.049

Need to add on the VAT so total cost = 0.057575

18185 automatically adds on the VAT??

matrix999

redux wrote:

A tricky issue, but actually the calls are not the same length, which you pointed out at the beginning. A one minute call to the mobile includes Discount Dial's extra time while it rings.

Swings and roundabouts I think. You'll probably save about a penny and a half sometimes if you always got it right. I'd usually use a mobile's inclusive minutes to call another one.

Very good point!!