Where Is 18866 / 1899 ? Gone For Good?

Curry_Queen

I'm yet to check out 0845/0870 numbers, but I've managed to formulate a table for landline/mobile calls and when/when not to use the codes. It seems some mobile networks are actually cheaper off-peak without using 1899 :rolleyes:


I'll copy my table here so it might help others who are confused too! It's based on using either TalkTalk or One-tel as a main provider (BT line) to utilise their free evening/weekend calls.

Landlines:

Daytime (8am-6pm) ... prefix with 18866
Evenings (6pm-8am) ... no prefix required
Weekend (12pm Fri/Sun) ... no prefix required


Mobiles:

Daytime & Weekends: ... pre-fix with 1899

Weekday Evenings (6pm-8am):

T-Mobile/Virgin/Vodaphone ... no prefix required
Orange/O2/3 ... pre-fix with 1899

Curry_Queen

andy88 wrote:

Check their tariffs for 0845 and 0870 numbers; BT may be the cheapest for these; on the other hand if you get that free calls credit, you've got to spend it on something ...

Ha! Just tried to access a call rates list on BT's site and they don't half make it damned complicated!!! I had to do a search for it and then I find a list of files that can be downloaded but using a file extension I don't recognise or could probably open with any programme I have on my PC :mad:

I don't particularly want to give BT any more of my money than I have to anyway as I'm still peed off about getting caught out with the 14713 charges :mad:

I'm becoming more inclined to sign up with One-tel to be honest and the £20 free call credit can absorb the cost of any 0845/0870 numbers for a while, plus the cashback from gp


BTW, are you an insomniac like me, or a poor soul working nights somewhere?

Arni_2

I have been having these problems with 18866 on and off for a couple of months now, so it is not just a one-off problem.

Do we actually get charged anywhere for these "foreign" respones, I know 18866 don't but do they show up on a BT bill for instance or your normal carriers bill.

Cheers
Arni

daveoc22

I've just tried to use the service here on the south coast and It seems to be down again.

Dave

LearningToSave.

not working here in bristol this morning either

Curry_Queen

Maybe they can't cope with the number of customers they now have

I subscribed to their service last night (well, early this morning) and on my first attempt to dial them for my account number ir said I'd not yet been activated, but every attempt thereafter gave me an engaged tone.

I've just woken to find the following email in my inbox:

Unfortunately your 18866 internet registration has failed.

Our apologies, but due to lack of capacity it is currently not possible to register.

Kind regards,
Call18866 Customer services

gavinp

Paul_Varjak wrote:

18866 and its sister businesses seem to have lots of trouble of this sort. Best to sign up with cheal unrelated services, such as One-Tel.

This is the first problem I have had in 18 months of using 18866 and 1899...

Thanks

Gavin

lswwong

Just used 18866 to contact Sainsbury's Bank (using geographical number provided by "Say No to 0870") and it is working. Phew!!!

Pity that 18866 is not as reliable as we first thought it to be. I am a very low home user and service offerings such as 18866, Telediscount etc which do not require mandatory carrier pre-select suit me much better.

Let's hope things will improve.

seth

My 1899 and 18866 are dead one both the BT line and the NTL lines


Sad of Chiswick (West London) first time I've had an issue with these chaps.

JohnF_3

Both are working for me - Taunton, South Somerset.