International & UK CallChecker discussion

slpj

I just used the UK call checker to find the cheapest way to call a UK mobile from my Plusnet landline. At the top of the list is:

Dialwise 1.02p/min (13.1p connection) Simply Dial 0844 861 2828

Except it's not. I rang the number, 0844 861 2828, and then entered the mobile number I wanted to call, beginning -- 07926, and then got a voice telling me to dial another number that's charged at 10p per minute.

So I've just paid, 13.1 Plusnet setup charge, plus 6 p per minute, for calling the 0844 number, just to find out that it will cost me another 13.1 connection fee, plus 10 p per minute to call a UK mobile using Dialwise..

It's cheaper to dial a UK mobile direct from Plusnet. !!

Or did I do something wrong?

Update: I rang Dialwise and spoke with a chap in Ireland, and he couldn't explain it. He said 2nd level who don't start until the evening, will investigate it and call me. Very useful that.

billsavings

Sipj The cheapest way to call a UK Mobile from a Plusnet Landline is surely via 18185 indirectly. 5p connection. 6p a min.

slpj

Hi billsavings,

I don't know, I've never used 18185. I also don't fancy setting up an account just to make the odd infrequent land to mobile call.

But if dialwise and the like, actually end up costing 10p per min instead of the advertised charges in the call checker, then either I'll just have to put up with the Plusnet charges, or consider and account with 18185.

Where does it say that 18185 is a free number called from Plusnet? I can''t find that anywhere,

Ypaymore

Hello slpj.

I have used both 18185 indirect access and 0808 freephone access for some considerable time via Plusnet and its not a problem.Search MSE, or Google and your find discussions that confirm it can be used.

If you only make less then 100 minutes of mobi calls a month you could always invest in a cheap pay as you go mobile. Buy one of these sims for £10 www.ovivomobile.com and get 100 inclusive minutes of uk mobile calls each and every month indefinitely,plus you keep the £10 to use also.:D

Ypaymore

charbles wrote: »

I have used 181185 before but if you want to contact them or report an issue or get your money back is a nightmare.

0844 are BT rates and calling them form PlusNet you may get charged at different rates.

Why don't you use something like Dial 123 Credit Dial, Localphone, Rebtel. They give you a local number for you to call and you don't have to pay connection charges ect.

Nothing wrong with 18185 or sister companies 1899/18866 does what it says on tin used by numerous MSE members .Customer Service could be better.But then again if thats important to peeps they can go elsewhere and pay more.

Services that use 01/02/03 access numbers normally require you to pay up front eg Local Phone,and of course the customer needs to have inclusive minutes otherwise they will be paying more to make the call,compared to using indirect or freephone access..

roloflex

Hi
I've been using plusnet home phone for a while and we make lots of calls abroad using the call checker numbers.

As Plusnet is not listed on the call checker I'm unsure whether they charge us more than say BT, Primus or the Post Office would.

Does anybody know if there is a difference? We mostly call Uganda mobile.

Thanks!

Ypaymore

charbles wrote: »

Same with 18185 you have to pay up front and customer service to me was very poor but that is my opinion.

I don't want to make it more complicated but here is very quick saving calculations.

18185 is available from BT only. and if you don't have BT you have to dial 0800 numbers which if you dial that from mobile is about 0.25p/min.

Using LocalPhone, Dial123 , Rebtel, Foocall yes you do need to have inclusive minutes but who hasn't unlimited calls to landline these days. If you have a landlines with no unlimited calls then what is the point of having one. Adding unlimited calls to BT Virgin or Talk Talk is only around £2.99 per month. Also these guys give an app if you don't have inclusive minutes.

You can compare the rates and the reason why 18185 is more expensive is because they add 18185 free call in the rate. So you are still going to end up paying for the connection anyways.

But you dont pay up front with 18185 its a postpay service.As you say customer service can be flaky but if thats a problem use a different supplier and pay extra for it. Care to name another supplier apart from its sister companies that allows you to call a UK 01/02/03 number for just 5p connection no call charges ,no time restriction?

18185 is not only available from BT. (Although only BT are required to maintain access) .Other suppliers eg Post Office,Primus,Plusnet and other non llu suppliers allow access.( This is the landline section i am not discussing cheap calls from a mobile)different kettle of fish, but are you not aware that 08 calls can easily be converted into a 01/02/03 call avoiding 08 charge.In any case 18185 also offer a 020 number for use by mobile users with inclusive minutes etc.

Agreed that at some time of the week most people have some sort of inclusive calls to 01/02/03 but they dont always have them when they want to call at key times do they.So thats why eg many peeps benefit from inclusive evening and weekend calls and use 18185 to make cheap peak 01/02/03 ngn,mobile,intl calls etc. Your a bit out of touch with cost of inclusive landline call bundles BT charge £5.15 monthly.Virgin a whopping £8 a month.

As i indicated before the services you recommend are fine if you want to pay up front and you have the appropriate inclusive landline minutes to use them at no extra cost to you. Otherwise even though you dont pay a connection charge with them your pay one with your landline supplier.

Ypaymore

roloflex wrote: »

Hi
I've been using plusnet home phone for a while and we make lots of calls abroad using the call checker numbers.

As Plusnet is not listed on the call checker I'm unsure whether they charge us more than say BT, Primus or the Post Office would.

Does anybody know if there is a difference? We mostly call Uganda mobile.

Thanks!

Your on Plusnet and your calling a Uganda Mobile. So you select BT as a guide as Plusnet are not listed. http://callchecker.moneysavingexpert.com/intcallchecker/uganda-mobile/bt/easy

This gives you the current cheapest supplier as
Bestminutes 3.06p/min (13.1p connection) 0844 439 2424 these are the prices from a BT line. To find out what Plusnet Charge you need to know the chargeband .

So you can go here http://www.telecom-tariffs.co.uk/codelook.htm enter the full number and find the band is G10.

Then your need to go to http://www.plus.net/home-broadband/tariffs/ your see connection charge is same 13.1p then scroll right down to specialised numbers and your see Plusnet charge 5P a minute to call the number. (Which is not a bad rate for a call to a Uganda Mobile)

What you have to bear in mind with these 084/087 access numbers, you're paying as soon as call is connected even if the person called is out, engaged, or you dont get through.

roloflex

Ypaymore wrote: »

Your on Plusnet and your calling a Uganda Mobile. So you select BT as a guide as Plusnet are not listed.

This gives you the current cheapest supplier as
3.06p/min (13.1p connection) 0844 439 2424 these are the prices from a BT line. To find out what Plusnet Charge you need to know the chargeband .

So you can go here enter the full number and find the band is G10.

Then your need to go to your see connection charge is same 13.1p then scroll right down to specialised numbers and your see Plusnet charge 5P a minute to call the number. (Which is not a bad rate for a call to a Uganda Mobile)

What you have to bear in mind with these 084/087 access numbers, you're paying as soon as call is connected even if the person called is out, engaged, or you dont get through.

Thanks a lot for the help, much appreciated!

So just to be clear for "bestminutes":
BT charge 13.1p connection charge plus 3.06p per minute
Plusnet charge 13.1p connection charge plus 5p per minute

thanks for confirming!

redux

charbles wrote: »

Ypaymore I'm sorry but It looks like you never used 18185 before. You have to to pay up front via Credit Card post pay does not exist and you also have to pay connection fee.

Try it and then you will understand how it works. You will very quickly switch to other UK providers.

Payment method options include debit and credit cards and direct debit.

It's definitely post-paid, at an interval depending on level of use. Mine is charged typically every 2 months, but there have been 4 month gaps in the past.