International and UK CallChecker Discussion Area

Heinz

BT charge their 5.5p minimum call charge (it went up from 5p on 1/4/06 so your bill probably precedes the increase) IF the 'per minute' or 'fixed price' cost of the call is less than that.

So, if you spend 20 minutes on a 1p/minute 0844 number, they charge 20p including VAT (i.e. the minimum call charge has been exceeded so it drops out of the calculation).

If, however, you spend 10 seconds on the call and hang up (say you reach an answering machine at your destination and don't want to leave a message), the minimum call charge applies because the cost of the 0844 part of the call - 1p or less in this example - is lower than the minimum call charge.

It shouldn't be necessary for them to check the bill - with itemised billing you can do it yourself.

Here, for example, is one of my calls:

08453003651 00:06:53 £0.059

So, I called an 0845 number for 6m 53s and was charged 5.9p excluding VAT. A quick calculation (5.9 divided by 100 multiplied by 117.5 - thank you Excel) shows that to be 6.9325p including VAT and, as the call was at a weekend, I can see that I was charged the correct 1p/minute for the call (just under 7p for just under 7 minutes). Note also that the cost of the call exceeded the minimum call charge so the latter did not even come into consideration.

Can you post a few examples of the calls to France on your bill (0844 number dialled, duration and cost) on here?

Or PM a few to me?

EDIT 15/6/2007 - it's all changed now of course - BT now uses a 'call set-up fee' instead of a minimum call charge. That is 3p but will rise to 6p on 1/8/2007.

gtz101

but lets say if you dialed these numbers from your mobile, lets say the 0844 number can be used as part of your inclusive minutes, so basically is it free?

mobilegossip

gtz101 wrote:

but lets say if you dialed these numbers from your mobile, lets say the 0844 number can be used as part of your inclusive minutes, so basically is it free?

Thats not strictly true unless your inclusive minutes did not cost you anything,because you got a cashback of the whole line rental for the period of the contract.

EG: Lets you got 250 minutes for £25 a month the 0844 calls would be costing you 10p each.

gtz101

mobilegossip wrote:

Thats not strictly true unless your inclusive minutes did not cost you anything,because you got a cashback of the whole line rental for the period of the contract.

EG: Lets you got 250 minutes for £25 a month the 0844 calls would be costing you 10p each.

No, what I mean is that lets say the 0844 can be used as part of your inclusive minutes, in this case, there will be no charge for the call (other then monthly line rental)?

gtz101

mobilegossip wrote:

EG: Lets you got 250 minutes for £25 a month the 0844 calls would be costing you 10p each.

even if the 0844 can be used as part of your inclusive minutes?

hurrah

gtz101 wrote:

even if the 0844 can be used as part of your inclusive minutes?

Yes. If you paid £25 a month for 250 minutes each minute would cost you 10p . So therefore each minute you use to call any inclusive number would cost 10p including an 0844 number one.

hurrah

gtz101 wrote:

No, what I mean is that lets say the 0844 can be used as part of your inclusive minutes, in this case, there will be no charge for the call (other then monthly line rental)?

You pay for the minutes in your monthly line rental.

gtz101

hurrah wrote:

Yes. If you paid £25 a month for 250 minutes each minute would cost you 10p . So therefore each minute you use to call any inclusive number would cost 10p including an 0844 number one.

I know what your getting at but will there be a bill showing a charge for using 0844 number if its part of your inclusibve minutes.

I know, I know inclusive minutes are part of line rental cost but will the 0844 be a additional cost to the line rental cost on o2 network?

gtz101

redux wrote:

It risks being seen as impolite to argue with people by re-asking the question

the call comes from inclusive minutes, which does not mean it is free, unless all your minutes are free

if it's from your inclusive minutes then it's included at no further charge, for this is exactly what the phrase means


I shall delete this later, for fear of being thought rude

hi, yes thats exactly what I was trying to get at because that is exactly how everyone interprets it as. Most people here refer to it as "free" when we talk about inclusive minutes, not just this forum but anywhere.

I know technically it isnt but thats how most ppl see it if u know what i mean

tasha75

isayoldchap wrote:

Eventually Telewest have TODAY 30/03/06 16.30hrsadmitted that their call prices for 0844 200....was set up wrong and was charging 42.5p per minute plus vat (50p) instead of 0.50 (half pence per minute)

And just yesterday 27/04/06 (almost a month later) they said it was not their fault for charging me 50p/min for 0844 200 90 90 and they will not refund.