The SayNoTo0870 Article Discussion Area

go2hfc

Hi. I'm new here so forgive me if this has been raised before. The government said:

"You might also be re-assured to know that the Government advised two years ago all its departments and agencies against their own use of 0870 numbers.

By no means all Departments did use 0870 numbers, but where they did, they should now have been replaced with either geographical, 0845 (local rate) or 0800 numbers."

So why does the DVLA continue to use 0870 numbers not just in Swansea but their local offices too?

DonnyDave

go2hfc wrote: »

So why does the DVLA continue to use 0870 numbers not just in Swansea but their local offices too?

Because it is allowed to, probably because it makes so much money from them. Easily over a million a year, and that was the figure a couple of years ago. There is now the service to renew your car tax using premium 0870, so that figure is probably considerably higher.

Newbold

Take it up with them:

csm.dvla@gtnet.gov.uk - customer service/complaints email address

If enough people complain and ask why they're ignoring government 'advice' they'll change.

bunking_off

This is not a defence of DVLA, just an explanation of what I gather is the history.

As I understand it, when the DVLA wished to enhance their callcentre/online capabilities, government approved it, but only on the basis that it would be self-funded. The DVLA opted to fund their callcentre via the revenue-share arrangements on 0870. From the (3rd hand) accounts I hear, they don't make a profit on 0870 calls, it just funds their callcentre.

Now, with the government edict not to use 0870, they're faced with a quandry. Government isn't prepared to provide any additional funding for the call-centre. Without the revenues from 0870 DVLA can't balance the books. I'd guess the powers-that-be at Westminster are turning a blind eye because they know if they enforce the rule, they'll have to pay more for DVLA out of the general taxation pot.

I don't like usage of 0870 for monopoly/government services, but I have some sympathy with DVLA because they're trapped between a rock and a hard place...

xgingerx

Avoid paying premium rates on 0808 / 0844 / 0845 / 0870 & 0871 numbers. Follow the link below and type in either the name of the company or the number and you will be given an alternative land line number. You will be connected to the same company/customer service dept. but avoid the extra charges.

http://www.saynoto0870.com/search.php

go_braves

go2hfc wrote: »

So why does the DVLA continue to use 0870 numbers not just in Swansea but their local offices too?

Because all 'Local Office' calls are answered by the Call Centre at Swansea. If they can't deal with it, the call details are passed to the Local Office, who then call the customers back.

Heinz

bunking_off wrote: »

This is not a defence of DVLA, just an explanation of what I gather is the history.

As I understand it, when the DVLA wished to enhance their callcentre/online capabilities, government approved it, but only on the basis that it would be self-funded. The DVLA opted to fund their callcentre via the revenue-share arrangements on 0870. From the (3rd hand) accounts I hear, they don't make a profit on 0870 calls, it just funds their callcentre.

Now, with the government edict not to use 0870, they're faced with a quandry. Government isn't prepared to provide any additional funding for the call-centre. Without the revenues from 0870 DVLA can't balance the books. I'd guess the powers-that-be at Westminster are turning a blind eye because they know if they enforce the rule, they'll have to pay more for DVLA out of the general taxation pot.

I don't like usage of 0870 for monopoly/government services, but I have some sympathy with DVLA because they're trapped between a rock and a hard place...

Please see post #4 HERE.

emweaver

Does any1 know if theres a sitr that lists alternative numbers to premium rate numbers?

ARTIST_2

Be aware of the 0800 scam as well. I rang an 0800 number for a company when researching my re-mortgage. After selecting 'one of the following options' I was put through to a department in Scotland where the operator admitted I was now on an 0870 number! I am sure this is unethical if not illegal so my solution now is not to select any of the 'following options' just in case. In most cases my calls have then been picked up by an operator, which I now assume (possibly wrongly) to be still on 0800 fee free.

Newbold

ARTIST wrote: »

Be aware of the 0800 scam as well. I rang an 0800 number for a company when researching my re-mortgage. After selecting 'one of the following options' I was put through to a department in Scotland where the operator admitted I was now on an 0870 number! I am sure this is unethical if not illegal so my solution now is not to select any of the 'following options' just in case. In most cases my calls have then been picked up by an operator, which I now assume (possibly wrongly) to be still on 0800 fee free.

Don't worry. The operator was wrong. She probably assumed that you were on an 0870 line, but if you dialled 0800 there's no way that the call can be converted mid-call to a chargeable call.