The SayNoTo0870 Article Discussion Area

pjaj

What also annoys me is that now all the doctors' surgeries I know of have 0845 numbers which cost more than a local call and are also not included in my free calls package. There is a connection charge with these numbers plus a per minute charge, so a 1minute 35 second call costs me 9p. Not a lot, but still 9p more than I would have paid had the practice issued a geographic number.

My practice claims that they don't get any kick backs from the company that provides their "service". However on their service provider's own web site (Network Europe Group - NEG) they claim "With your own 084 number, you keep about 2p from every call.". They also provide the telephone equipment and call routing. So the practice does benefit financially from the deal.

People will claim that 0845 and 0870 numbers no more expensive than a local or national call, but they are, particularly if you have a package that includes free calls.

It is also claimed that the call routing is more efficient "because you get put through to the right person". This may be so in some cases, but in my practice you always get the same receptionist!

derrick

pjaj wrote: »

What also annoys me is that now all the doctors' surgeries I know of have 0845 numbers which cost more than a local call and are also not included in my free calls package. There is a connection charge with these numbers plus a per minute charge, so a 1minute 35 second call costs me 9p. Not a lot, but still 9p more than I would have paid had the practice issued a geographic number.

My practice claims that they don't get any kick backs from the company that provides their "service". However on their service provider's own web site (Network Europe Group - NEG) they claim "With your own 084 number, you keep about 2p from every call.". They also provide the telephone equipment and call routing. So the practice does benefit financially from the deal.

People will claim that 0845 and 0870 numbers no more expensive than a local or national call, but they are, particularly if you have a package that includes free calls.

It is also claimed that the call routing is more efficient "because you get put through to the right person". This may be so in some cases, but in my practice you always get the same receptionist!

Most doctors surgeries that have this kind of number use 0844, (not 0845), and from a BT line cost 5p per minute at all times, therefore your 1 minute and 35 seconds will cost you a 7p connection fee plus 10p, (I think they now charge in full minutes?). = 17 pence, not 9p.

Just another example of R.I P. (Rip Off Britain).

jedeye

Just a bit of a rant here:

I've got an ADT alarm system which every night 'calls' the receiving centre to ensure there is communication between systems. It calls an 0870 number though!!! Even though it is for like a 1 second call it charges me the BT connection charge (6p?) every day! This adds up!!!

Arghhh!

Thanks for listening,

jedeye

Heinz

jedeye wrote: »

I've got an ADT alarm system which every night 'calls' the receiving centre to ensure there is communication between systems. It calls an 0870 number though!!! Even though it is for like a 1 second call it charges me the BT connection charge (6p?) every day! This adds up!!!

They charge your for the system (and an annual fee?) and then they take a cut of the call charges you have to pay because they've programmed your alarm to call them every day.

Nice little earner!

SchoolTeacher0118

You can ask your local service engineer to set up your system so that it does not phone ADT every day. A friend tipped us off on this (an ex. ADT engineer) and we have our system set up this way. I grudge giving them money on a daily basis when we pay a fortune each month. It makes no difference to the way our alarm operates.

Good luck.

martijq

MSE_Archna wrote: »

This thread is specifically to discuss the content of the

The SayNoTo0870 Article

To discuss or ask a question about the article: click reply

To read the old thread click here.

I think this 0870 0845 so on charges are not on, as its even DWP as well, how can this be helping the low income and disabiled familys. BT introduced options to lower bills now bills have now in creased because of these over used, high priced numbers

elnize

I have started to call my RBS direct banking service using an 0131 number instead of 0845 after reading about 'say no to 0870' on this site. I get through all the security measures OK but when I get through to a representative they pretend they cannot hear me! I tried it 3 times and each time they kept saying 'hello' as though I could not be heard. On the 4th occasion I dialled the 0845 number and they had no problem hearing me. Surely this is sharp practice?

I-LOV-MONEY

elnize wrote: »

I have started to call my RBS direct banking service using an 0131 number instead of 0845 after reading about 'say no to 0870' on this site. I get through all the security measures OK but when I get through to a representative they pretend they cannot hear me! I tried it 3 times and each time they kept saying 'hello' as though I could not be heard. On the 4th occasion I dialled the 0845 number and they had no problem hearing me. Surely this is sharp practice?

This is strange. When you ring in it would normally go to a switchboard / an office without them knowing which number you called. (0845/0870 numbers do not exist in their own right, they are diverted to a geographical number).

GiraffePC

I don't know if this has been mentioned (sorry - can't read all posts in this thread!), but where SayNo hasn't a number I go to the relevant web site and have a poke around.
Contributions Agency and Nationwide BS have numbers for overseas callers and they're 01... etc.

Bill_of_Roundhay

Dept of Health has just launched a consultation on whether GPs should use 084 phone numbers which increase costs for people with inclusive phone deals. Do get in quick to respond - remember this will not take money from NHS services but may reduce the amount of profits that GPs take from the money they get from Government. Government money is intended to cover costs of running GP services, but the 084 nos take extra subsidy from patients indirectly. The publicity genetrated may also rub off on others indirectly subsidising themselves from service users this way. Survey is at:- http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/Consultations/Liveconsultations/DH_091879