Am I being thick?

plob

they make you take the first zero of the 0800 number so you know you are making a decision to call the number knowing you are going to be charged for it

Stompa

agrinnall wrote: »

Hi, could you clarify what this is please?

I guess:

http://www.qxcall.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=65&Itemid=111

agrinnall

Stompa wrote: »

I guess:

http://www.qxcall.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=65&Itemid=111

Great, thanks very much Stompa, that does indeed look like the explanation.

john-306

boliston wrote: »

I'm not sure why 0800 is not free if calling a landline is free as it's not as if there is any cost incurred by the network over and above the cost of calling a landline number

My take on it , rightly or wrongly is,
The company who set up their freecall 0800 number pays for any call to that number, if landline numbers are used then it's the lowest rate available, if everyone used mobiles to call the 0800 number for free then the cost to the company would be multiplied many times due to them having to pay the cost of that mobile call .

Wintermute

Unfortunately they're chargeable, I've always thought the message made it fairly obvious that they were going to charge you for the call. It's annoying, but it's hardly a secret. Generally when I have an 0800 number to call I search on http://www.saynoto0870.com , there's usually an alternative number that will count towards my inclusive minutes.

inch_high

Well folks, got what I wanted in the end. Received a letter from o2 saying they'll cancel the charges, but if I phone it in future theyre chargeable...

Good times!

spark_deals

inch_high wrote: »

I've been using my mobile which is with O2 to call 0800 numbers. I have thought for a while that if you remove the first zero from the number, then the call will be taken out of your available minutes for that month.

When I call an 0800 number, I get the following message:
"Access to the number you have dialled is not free of charge from mobile phones. Please redial without the first zero.!"

Now to me, that means, if I redial without the zero then I won't be charged. Otherwise, what's the point in redialling? Why not just put a message on saying you'll be charged and the continue the call?

Anyway, I've got my bill this month with £20 worth of 0800 calls.

I called O2 today to explain and see if they'd wipe the charges but they weren't having any of it. In their words, "it's obvious that when you call back without the zero that the charge would stand".

What do you guys think?

I humbly think that you chose to make an informed decision and these are not the charges that an average mobile user would not be aware of.
By the way, if you make many 0800--- calls, why not use something like this. Calling something like this costs you a landline call only and usually inclusive in the package. Something like this is the one I personally use and recommend.

Shah79

Just a quick Qs - are 03 numbers free to call from mobiles?

Exhortation

You would have to check with your network. There are probably newer contracts where they are included but some older ones may not have this facility. And they won't be "free". anyway, they'll be "inclusive".

Right, I believe it's someone else's turn to wear the pedant hat. ;D

flyingscotno1

I'd be surprised (but not totally) if networks excluded 03 numbers from allowances or charged more.

03 is just the same as 01 or 02, and should be the same - only difference is they are 'non-geographic' so don't belong to any town or city.