Cheapest way to divert calls to mobiles

foxyruby

That sounds much better! I really didn't fancy the idea of not being able to control things like lots of calls to me in error that I'm then being charged for. And 10p a minute sounds reasonable - when clients ring we'll either answer them straight away or they'll be able to leave a message, so they won't be kept waiting in a queuing system for ages being charged for each minute. I hate that and wouldn't want to inflict it on others.

I'm looking into Flextel now and so far so good. One thing I can't quite work out, and that is if it's possible to set it up so that if one mobile is busy the other one will pick it up ... if you or any other money savers know the answer to that one it would be great.

Anyway, thanks a lot! :beer:

Heinz

foxyruby wrote: »

That sounds much better! I really didn't fancy the idea of not being able to control things like lots of calls to me in error that I'm then being charged for. And 10p a minute sounds reasonable - when clients ring we'll either answer them straight away or they'll be able to leave a message, so they won't be kept waiting in a queuing system for ages being charged for each minute. I hate that and wouldn't want to inflict it on others.

Your publicity material is going to have to be very well worded though - 0871 numbers prevent people from calling.

benjus

I'd tend to agree with the above... most people on this site and similar sites are always looking for ways to avoid having to call non-geographic numbers. To be perfectly honest I think that having an 0871 number gives a negative impression of a business. It may be cheaper for you, but you will never know how many people are not calling you purely because of your choice of number.

When looking for a company to call about something the telephone number affects my first impression - more or less as follows:

• Geographic number - ideal - cheap/free to call and I get the impression I'll be able to get through to talk to someone
• 03 number - no problem
• Freephone (0800 etc) number - fine if I'm calling from a landline but not ideal from a mobile
• Mobile number - not too bad if I can use inclusive minutes - at least I get the feeling I'd be getting through directly to an individual rather than a call menu
• 0844/0845 - a bit of a pain but tolerable. OK for a one-off call but for repeated calls I would start looking for a geographic alternative
• 0870 - a pain - I would try to find a geographic alternative
• 0871 - looks like the business is too cheap to want to make it easy for customers to talk to them. I would really question if these are people I want to do business with
• 070 - probably a scam - forget it!
• 090 - forget it!

Paul_Varjak

foxyruby wrote: »

I'm looking into Flextel now and so far so good. One thing I can't quite work out, and that is if it's possible to set it up so that if one mobile is busy the other one will pick it up ... if you or any other money savers know the answer to that one it would be great.

FLEXTEL allows you to divert to up to TWO numbers (but you can change those numbers at anytime - instantly online - and by phone as well, I believe). You cannot have three divert numbers! This may mean for you that all calls to your 0871 number are always on divert to the two mobiles. If the first does not answer (within the number of seconds you stipulate), or the line is busy, it will divert to the second mobile. Just be sure you set it up to divert on busy/no reply to the second mobile number. For many people 0871 numbers are cheaper to call than mobile numbers!

You could have an outgoing message on your landline number telling people to call the 0871 number. That avoids (to some extent) any stigma associated with 0871 numbers. But avoid saing 'CALL MY MOBILE 0n 0871 xxxxxxx' since many people may misdial 0781 xxxxxx isntead!!!!

Paul_Varjak

Paul_Varjak wrote: »

FLEXTEL allows you to divert to up to TWO numbers (but you can change those numbers at anytime - instantly online - and by phone as well, I believe). You cannot have three divert numbers! This may mean for you that all calls to your 0871 number are always on divert to the two mobiles. If the first does not answer (within the number of seconds you stipulate), or the line is busy, it will divert to the second mobile. Just be sure you set it up to divert on busy/no reply to the second mobile number. For many people 0871 numbers are cheaper to call than mobile numbers!

You could have an outgoing message on your landline number telling people to call the 0871 number (in an emergency or for urgent work). That avoids (to some extent) any stigma associated with 0871 numbers. But avoid saying 'CALL MY MOBILE 0n 0871 xxxxxxx' since many people may misdial 0781 xxxxxx isntead!!!!

In your advertising material you can still include your landline number and quote the 0871 for emergencies/urgent work. Should you ever change mobile phone numbers, you don't need to change your advertising!

FLEXTEL appears to be a well established company - I think it was founded by a former head of Vodafone!

Buzby

Paul_Varjak wrote: »

FLEXTEL appears to be a well established company - I think it was founded by a former head of Vodafone!

Yes to the first, no to the second. The Vodafone bod went to head up the Personal Number Company, not Flextel, which is a venture headed by the very nice Mr Goodall.

Going back up the thread, and the confusion over diverting to two mobiles, it is the VOIPO technology that allows this, not sipgate specifically. As discussed Flextel does allow the simultaneous calling, however users have also been given notice of the ending of free divers to mobiles (from 088x numbers) so this option will end soon.

A further option is not to overlook 3UK and their Skype offering. Skype to Skype (mobile) are free. I've still to ascertain whether it will work if you have your Skype In number enables (Geographic number) will permit both 3UK handsets to ring with an incoming call, but it is worthwhile asking, as this is the ONLY way to get free divers from landline to mobile.

bestyman

I divert my landline to a mobile with primus telecom. The cost is 20p for 20 minutes, I think BT charge 17p for one minute .

My thoughts on diverting to 2 mobiles is this. Divert to one mobile and set the call forwarding on the first mobile to divert to the second if unanswerd etc. Yes this would invole paying for 2 diverts , but the second divert could be out of inclusive minutes.

I use the above on a daily basis, Its permanantlly set up and works fine. I pay about £60 a month on diverts but have about 10 calls a day .

If you find a better way please let me know.

Heinz

bestyman wrote: »

I divert my landline to a mobile with primus telecom. The cost is 20p for 20 minutes, I think BT charge 17p for one minute .

Unfortunately, the means you (and I) use (Primus's Penny Mobile 2 CPS) is not obtainable by new subscribers because Primus's useless Indian call centre deny all knowledge of it.

bestyman

Hi Heinz,

I remember many months ago, with your help, we figured out how it worked and i set it up - thanks again .

Its a shame its no longer available, is there no way one can speak to the nice scottish guy anymore? Only today I told my sister about it and she is going to ring them..

redux

I wouldn't publish the 0871 number - just forward your landline to your Flextel number