The SayNoTo0870 Article Discussion Area

scheming_gypsy

jat100 wrote:

What I find truly appalling is that the Jobcentre Plus Benefits Centre use 0845 numbers. These telephone numbers are nearly always engaged. However, the caller is always charged for the call because you have to go through a menu system before you find out that the line is engaged. The people who have to call the Benefits office are often in desperate need and on very low income. I know someone who needed urgent help and called 50 times throughout one day and the phone was engaged every time! :mad:

probably because 0845 is supposed to be 'local rate' which will be cheaper for people dialling out of their area and being charged a 'national rate' number.
If it was engaged then all their incoming lines would be busy. It'd be the same if they dialed the 01 / 02 number.

jat100

scheming_gypsy wrote:

probably because 0845 is supposed to be 'local rate' which will be cheaper for people dialling out of their area and being charged a 'national rate' number.
If it was engaged then all their incoming lines would be busy. It'd be the same if they dialed the 01 / 02 number.

But anyone who needs to call their Benefits Centre would be calling their local centre which is where they are registered and, therefore, the 0845 number costs more for all callers. True, the lines would be engaged if they dialled an 01/02 number but it would be at a lower cost. If they removed the menu, an engaged tone would incur no cost.

theloft

scheming_gypsy wrote:

probably because 0845 is supposed to be 'local rate' which will be cheaper for people dialling out of their area and being charged a 'national rate' number.

Of course 0845 numbers are not cheaper, whether you are 'local' or not. they are charged by the minute, just the same as 0870 numbers, allbeit at a lower rate. But they are still a con. jat100 is so right. How many times do we call a number, get through to a menu and never get to speak to anyone! WE don't get the benefit of an engaged tone, even if "all of our advisors are busy". At least if it was a national rate number the cost is limited to the 5p connection charge and .5p per minute after.

tik33

I think it's been said before, but if you haven't done so - please sign the petition on the govt website against 0870 numbers.

it finishes in April - so a few weeks left to register your dissatisfaction - at least force companies to publish not only 0845/0870 but also geographic numbers (01/02).

find details on the saynoto0870 website or direct to: http://petitions.pm.gov.uk/saynoto0870/

30,000 so far - I'm sure that there are more of us out there that hate this corporate stitch up.

Gus

kenshaz

Yes publicity ,keep bringing it to the forefront and get some more signatures,even the ITV has been brought to task about using extortionate revenue earning numbers.

scheming_gypsy

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to compel all organizations using non-geographic numbers (e.g. 0845, 087* prefixes) to also publicize an equivalent geographic number (e.g. 01* / 02* prefixes) where they can be reached (and which can usually be called more cheaply than an 0845 / 087* number). More details

As usual a load of people who know nothing about anything start a petition about things they don't know about.
It isn't always possible to issue an 01/02 number as well as the 08 number.

kenshaz

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

As usual a load of people who know nothing about anything start a petition about things they don't know about.
It isn't always possible to issue an 01/02 number as well as the 08 number.

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stamford

scheming_gypsy wrote: »

It isn't always possible to issue an 01/02 number as well as the 08 number.

Can you explain this a bit further ?

As far as I'm aware every 0845/0870 number has to hang off a normal area specific number. Look on your credit card statement and there's a good chance it will say something like "from overseas dial 0044-1268-223223", call this number from the UK and you can use your BT unlimited or mobile call package.

IvanOpinion

Unfortunately I can not sign the petition because it is too generic and has not been thought through. I would sign it if it related to sales lines only but believe that 0870 is a good choice for support and enquiry lines.

I want the base price of my product to be as low as possible (after all I am a good money saver) therefore I do not wnat them to add on an amount just in case I need support. So give me the low price and let all those people who need extra help, change their minds, can not be bothered to read the manual etc. an 0870 number whereby they can pay for the additional support and help they require.

Ivan

Heinz

IvanOpinion wrote: »

I want the base price of my product to be as low as possible (after all I am a good money saver) therefore I do not wnat them to add on an amount just in case I need support. So give me the low price and let all those people who need extra help, change their minds, can not be bothered to read the manual etc. an 0870 number whereby they can pay for the additional support and help they require.

I agree, but the point is firms are not doing so transparently - by using 09 numbers - but are using 084/7 numbers in the (normally correct but increasingly less so) hope that most people won't realise that the firm is making money from the call (including when they are put on hold, being subjected to endless menus etc. in order to prolong the call and raise extra revenue).

BTW, how is it that firms in the USA (including many UK firms with offices there) use 1800 numbers?