The SayNoTo0870 Article Discussion Area

wifeforlife

https://www.saynoto0870.com

Just find an alternative number

Cath

Astaroth

davegillian wrote:

Sadly if you want anything in life you're hard pressed to find a company that doesn't use them!

I cant think of a single company that I use that has them... my internet is freephone, my banks are 0845 or freephone and as I dont have any "free minutes" type packages is the same as calling a geographical number for me, my insurers are 0845, breakdown is 0800, electricity/ gas is 0800, telephone provider is freephone.... it only leaves the retailers that I choose to use and that is very easy to pick ones without 0870/ 0871 if you feel strongly about it.

System

Astaroth wrote:

I cant think of a single company that I use that has them... my internet is freephone, my banks are 0845 or freephone and as I dont have any "free minutes" type packages is the same as calling a geographical number for me, my insurers are 0845, breakdown is 0800, electricity/ gas is 0800, telephone provider is freephone.... it only leaves the retailers that I choose to use and that is very easy to pick ones without 0870/ 0871 if you feel strongly about it.

Ah well I meant the 0845 numbers too. It's increasingly difficult though. All my various banks and credit cards have 0870 numbers and I seriously don't think I could swap it all elsewhere and avoid 0870 altogether. Sky are the worse culprit and as they're a monopoly unless of course you go NTL who are also evil (and probably use 0870?!).

I feel strongly about it but I feel more strongly that I should be able to have an easy life without having to do reasearch on company's phone numbers and queing systems before signing up for anything. Most of the companies who have 0870 numbers didn't have them when I moved and it's a safe assumption that if I moved everything (mega hassle) the new ones would probably bring it in anyway.

Much better for 10 million people to sign the petition and get it banned altogether!

Anyway nice debating! I'm off to do some DIY & save some money!!!

Astaroth

Effectively you have made your choice then.... you feel that paying for 0870/ 0871 numbers (or spending your time looking for alternative numbers) is better than having to switch suppliers.

Given how easy the majority of companies try to make it to switch to secure your business I find it hard to think you feel that strongly about the subject.

System

...because I have 2 jobs, a house to renovate, another job in the pipeline, a marathon to train for and an MSc to write up! 2 seconds to sign a petition and a few minutes to spread the word on here is ok. The rest of my life I want to put my feet up not stress about which companies to move to next.

Each to their own though.

Anyway I'm off. Happy chatting guys.

poorbutrich

Thanks for the link! I've signed it.

bbb_uk

BBC News mention 0870 numbers during breakfast news today, 17th January 2007.

SayNo forum member, kk, has created a thread here.

There may be a huge demand and as such the site may run slower than usual, etc.

TillyB_4

Felt I had to post as I am so annoyed with Norwich Union. I've had loads of problems getting to talk to anyone on their claims line (an 0800 number) - average time on hold 40 minutes! When I finally spoke to someone on Friday, they said I should call back using their 0870 number - which when I tried it routed through to the same line!!!!

lswwong

Please bear with a few grrrrrrrrr from me!

I spoke to someone from Grant Thornton today who called me at work (it was to do with work). At the end of the conversation, I asked her for her DDI number and she supplied an 0870 one. I asked her to supply a geographical one and was MOST rudely told that the 0870 number is geographical and that it "only costs 10p" to call.

Err hmmm!! Their office is in Euston (London) and mine is only less than a mile away in the City. The hell I am gonna pay 10p to call their 0870 number and let them collect revenue from it!!! (If I had used 1899 or similar and called them on their 0207 number, the call would have costed less than 10p irrespective of duration.)

I left some strongly worded comments via their website.

Grant Thornton has no business making money out of their clients and contacts calling them at their office!!!!! Are they trying to cash in on people's apathy when making B2B calls????

Thankfully, I found their 0207 switchboard number on the net and used that. Why they do not give an alternative geographical number as a matter of course leaves something to be desired.

DonnyDave

Would it be possible for Martin to mention this in his emails sent out to MSE members? I know it's not exactly moneysaving, but is this the kind of thing he will promote?