Cheap 0800 providers

Mr_Frugal

I am looking at setting up a business that will require a lot of time spent on the phone (up to 100 hrs per calendar month).
In order to attract business I would like to use an 0800 number.
Looking around I can find lots of providers but the best sort of deals I can see are 1000 free mins (for a standard monthly fee) and then 2.25p/min thereafter.
As 1000 mins is only 16.7 hrs this would leave me having to cover 83.3hrs at 2.25p/min (which starts to get pricey !!!)

Does anyone know of a cheaper way of doing this or a provider that offers more 'free' mins than 1000 (obviously for a slightly larger monthly line rental fee but providing it works out cheaper than the 83.3hrs at 2.25p/min !!!!)

TIA,

Mr_F.

Slinky

Do you really NEED an 0800 number? So many people now must know about the likes of 18185 and 1899 call carriers where you can call an ordinary landline for as long as you like for a 3 or 4p connection charge, plus there are loads of people who have inclusive packages on their mobiles.

I obviously have no idea what your business is, do you feel you are going to miss out on business because your competitors offer 0800 numbers? Providing you aren't using 0870 and therefore making money out of people calling you, surely if people want your service they will call you anyway?

Mr_Frugal

Thanks Slinky but I want a 'national' number (as my area code doesn't cover all of my 'patch') and due to the fact that I am anti 0845 and 0870 I dont wish to use either of those.
My business relies on me being a local face but due to my area (which is all local but has 2 different STD codes) there is huge benefits to the 0800 number (also gives an edge over the competition many of whom DO use 0845).

skippy64

Mr_Frugal wrote:

I am looking at setting up a business that will require a lot of time spent on the phone (up to 100 hrs per calendar month).
In order to attract business I would like to use an 0800 number.
Looking around I can find lots of providers but the best sort of deals I can see are 1000 free mins (for a standard monthly fee) and then 2.25p/min thereafter.
As 1000 mins is only 16.7 hrs this would leave me having to cover 83.3hrs at 2.25p/min (which starts to get pricey !!!)

Does anyone know of a cheaper way of doing this or a provider that offers more 'free' mins than 1000 (obviously for a slightly larger monthly line rental fee but providing it works out cheaper than the 83.3hrs at 2.25p/min !!!!)

TIA,

Mr_F.

Hi Mr Frugal. Hope you don't mind me asking but could you pm the link for the 0800 providers that include the free minutes. I've just had a quick google but didn't come up with anything. TIA, Steve

hurrah

Speak to https://www.call08.com very helpful.they might be able to do a deal for the sort of traffic your talking about.

chriz1000

Would it not just be easier to buy a number in each area code and have both numbers forwarded to the same line? When looking through the yellow pages or wherever you will then have twice as much chance of being spotted.

Mr_Frugal

chriz1000 wrote:

Would it not just be easier to buy a number in each area code and have both numbers forwarded to the same line? When looking through the yellow pages or wherever you will then have twice as much chance of being spotted.

Sounds like a great idea Chriz but wasnt aware that I could buy a phone number from different area code.....u wouldn't have details as to how I would do that do u ?

Thanks in anticipation,

Mr_F.

chriz1000

Well one way to do it would be to ring up BT and ask to reserve a number in the other area code. Get a virtual telephone line with BT and ask to have the number transferred to the virtual telephone line (Voice Over IP) there will be a one off fee to do this. You can then forward the number or just attach a second phone to your voice over ip line. If you attach a second phone to your voice over IP line it will only cost you £5 a month (for the Voice over ip line) when it’s all set up providing you already have broadband with BT.

BT might be able to suggest another method too.

mobilegossip

Mr_Frugal wrote:

Sounds like a great idea Chriz but wasnt aware that I could buy a phone number from different area code.....u wouldn't have details as to how I would do that do u ?

Thanks in anticipation,

Mr_F.

Get a 01/02 geographical number from suppliers like

http://www.voip.co.uk/res_soho.html or https://www.orbtalk.co.uk and divert it permanently for less then 2p a minute.

buglawton

I believe that an 01* or 02* inspires more confidence thatn an 0800, as people think they can get an idea of where you are. I NEVER call a tradesman who advertises only an 0800 number.

e_python

Mr_Frugal wrote:

Sounds like a great idea Chriz but wasnt aware that I could buy a phone number from different area code.....u wouldn't have details as to how I would do that do u ?

Thanks in anticipation,

Mr_F.

Hello

You can try https://www.sipgate.co.uk. They offer free geographical numbers.