rise in 0844 numbers help!

kronas

hello all, just a bit of an issue with 0844 numbers on the rise it is becoming so annoying doctors nhs, mortgage lenders, retailers e-tailers.... is there someone we can annoy! or get sir! martin lewis onboard as it is getting ridiculous now!

the point of inclusive call packages is to as a consumer cut down on cost but the 0845 0870's are being abandoned!

:mad:

bloaty

kronas wrote: »

hello all, just a bit of an issue with 0844 numbers on the rise it is becoming so annoying doctors nhs, mortgage lenders, retailers e-tailers.... is there someone we can annoy! or get sir! martin lewis onboard as it is getting ridiculous now!

the point of inclusive call packages is to as a consumer cut down on cost but the 0845 0870's are being abandoned!

:mad:

I fully endorse what you say!

My son was until very recently unemployed and I took out a mobile phone contract for him to help him with finding employment but every time he needed to contact jobcentre plus and other agencies such as HB he usually had to ring 0845, 0844 or 0870 numbers and the charges for these calls on the bill was ridiculous.

Keep us informed and let us know if there is anything we can do to help.

Regards

Bloaty

moneybagsuk

Usually they have a real landline number as well, it's just a case of trying to find it out!

Two more tips:
-Always call from a landline not a mobile
-If looking at properties for sale or to rent, use Zoopla (local numbers) rather than Rightmove (0844s)

Col7777

I agree as well, another thing about these numbers, nine times out of ten when you do have to call one you are kept hanging on and re-directed etc, all this extra charge going on your bill, the phone companies must love them.

I once phoned a company from a free phone number and the person at the other end quickly told me I had dialled the wrong number this was for new customers and told me to dial 0845 ****** then hung up, so they bare the cost of the free phone number knowing they will get it back ten fold in other ways.

kronas

i understand the point of real landline numbers but usually these are not given out, also, the cost is starting to rack up as when you need to ring important numbers even my local hospital 90% of the time you have to go through an 0844 switchboard ask to be directed, after waiting an age for switchboard to answer that is! then your on the phone holding hoping the department/person you are trying to reach is actually there !

:mad:

kronas

Col7777 wrote: »

I agree as well, another thing about these numbers, nine times out of ten when you do have to call one you are kept hanging on and re-directed etc, all this extra charge going on your bill, the phone companies must love them.

I once phoned a company from a free phone number and the person at the other end quickly told me I had dialled the wrong number this was for new customers and told me to dial 0845 ****** then hung up, so they bare the cost of the free phone number knowing they will get it back ten fold in other ways.

yup this is becoming all too common quick to take an order but customer service etc you have to pay!

victor2

I agree it is so annoying. My phone contract, like many, has free calls to 01, 02 and 03 numbers in it, but it is getting more difficult to find out the corresponding landline numbers to 0844, 0845 etc. saynoto0870 is great but doesn't cover everything. For things like credit card companies, you can often get through by calling the number they publish to call if you're overseas. But lately, one of those I tried just played a recording saying that this number was for overseas calls only and to call the 0845 number. I even tried withholding my number, but that didn't work either!

Col7777

I will say the ODD time I've been on to one of these companies and said, can you call me back as this is costing me a fortune and I'm only on a pension, (which is true by the way) and like I said the ODD one has done but some seem to not hear that and carry on.

kronas

Col7777 wrote: »

I will say the ODD time I've been on to one of these companies and said, can you call me back as this is costing me a fortune and I'm only on a pension, (which is true by the way) and like I said the ODD one has done but some seem to not hear that and carry on.

the fun starts when its an inbound call centre!

you dont always get callbacks as its a nice money earner!

victor2

kronas wrote: »

the fun starts when its an inbound call centre!

you dont always get callbacks as its a nice money earner!

Exactly. However, I have on occasion found that if you can find a phone number for the head office switchboard and call that, a kind receptionist will tell you that you've come through to the wrong number and transfer you into the call centre queue, avoiding the 0844 number! Bet they'll soon get wise to that one though.

loulou41

I agree as well, my GP's has changed number to 0844 recently and a call that used to cost me 5p per call now cost 5p per min, and you are usually in a queue. I hope somebody can do something about this.