Stoke On Trent Council Rip Off 0844 Number

Ypaymore

It amazes me that councils are still switching to rip off 0844 numbers despite all the bad publicity, and have the cheek to say people willl save money using them.

See: http://pitsnpots.co.uk/news/2011/02/council-0844-number-repairs-goes-live

sirmarcus

There is a 'contact us' page on Stoke-On-Trent's council web page at http://www.stoke.gov.uk/ccm/navigation/council-and-democracy/website/website-feedback/.

It lists non-0844 numbers. There is also an email address of [EMAIL="enquiries@stoke.gov.uk"]enquiries@stoke.gov.uk[/EMAIL].

Can also try www.saynoto0870.com for freephone numbers.

I agree with your post that it is a rip-off but there are some ways around it.

Oliver14

Ypaymore wrote: »

It amazes me that councils are still switching to rip off 0844 numbers despite all the bad publicity, and have the cheek to say people willl save money using them.

See: http://pitsnpots.co.uk/news/2011/02/council-0844-number-repairs-goes-live

How is it a rip off when those with a BT landline will pay less? It's not a rip off just because someone uses an 0844 number it depends on the Tariff and this one is cheaper. So are you saying the council are lying about the call charges? Have you evidence of this?

Calls to the new number from a BT landline are generally much cheaper than the old number. For example, tenants with a basic calling plan, which is available to those residents in receipt of benefits, can call the new number for 3p for the call set up charge, and then 3p a minute. The old number costs 3p for the call set up charge and then 10.2p a minute. Similarly, customers using a BT landline unlimited weekend calling plan will be charged 11.5p for the call set up charge and 3p a minute. The old number would costs 11.5p for the call set up charge and 7p a minute. Tariffs for other providers and mobile phone operators vary, and in some cases may be more expensive, depending on the provider.

sirmarcus wrote: »

I agree with your post that it is a rip-off but there are some ways around it.

So you didn't read the link then?

sirmarcus

Oliver14 wrote: »

How is it a rip off when those with a BT landline will pay less? It's not a rip off just because someone uses an 0844 number it depends on the Tariff and this one is cheaper. So are you saying the council are lying about the call charges? Have you evidence of this??

So tough for any Sky, Virginmedia, Talk Talk, other non-BT phone users and BT users on free allowance call tariffs that contact the council then.

Lets start with BT. Before 10/2/11, any BT user, with a unlimited free allowance call tariff, could call 01782234100 free of charge. Now with the 0844 number, they will have to pay either :

• 3p for the call set up charge, and then 3p a minute or
• 11.5p for the call set up charge; and then 3p a minute.

For Sky users, it will now cost 6p per min plus a call set up charge irrespective of what call tariff or plan that they are on. Before 10/2/11, it would have cost any Sky user, with an unlimited free call plan, nothing to dial 01782234100.

For Virgin users, it will now cost 3p per min plus a call set up charge rrespective of what call tariff or plan that they are on. Before 10/2/11, it would have cost any VM user, with an unlimited free call plan, nothing to dial 01782234100.

And similarly for Talk Talk phone and any other non-BT phone users.

If you look at the last sentence in your quote attached to your posting, it states and confirms the above :

Oliver14 wrote: »

Tariffs for other providers and mobile phone operators vary, and in some cases may be more expensive, depending on the provider.

This statement is also factually incorrect as the 0844 number does not benefit certain BT customers as shown above.

Still think that it is not a rip-off ?

Oliver14 wrote: »

So you didn't read the link then?

Thanks I did read it but I managed to comprehend how it is a rip-off !:rotfl:

molerat

If the council sacked the [STRIKE]bull****[/STRIKE] PR dept who obviously produced the statement of how it was cheaper they would not need a revenue making phone system.

My NHS dentist uses 0844. I had a missed call one morning and thinking maybe my appointment had been cancelled I phoned back and it cost me 40p (by the time I got through press button 1, please wait) to tell me that I had an appointment that morning :mad:. I now detour to the surgery in the car when I want to make an appointment.

My doctor uses 0845 and again the local health board !!!!!!!! dept spouts on in the local paper that it is cheaper as "call packages include these calls" They say that a normal geographical number cannot manage the type of multi line system they use.

The Police are 0845, my local hospital is 0845 and the operators are 70 miles away, the old system was local number and local operators who had a fair chance of knowing if the person you wanted was actually in the building.

I use 18185 and a normal call costs 5p way cheaper to me than any of these calling plans cost. :mad:

sirmarcus

molerat wrote: »

I use 18185 and a normal call costs 5p way cheaper to me than any of these calling plans cost. :mad:

Yep 18185 is a good service and I use it as well on occasions.

For the Stoke Trent Council, just use email address [EMAIL="enquiries@stoke.gov.uk"]enquiries@stoke.gov.uk[/EMAIL] and it won't cost anything.:)

OldGreyFox

sirmarcus wrote: »

Yep 18185 is a good service and I use it as well on occasions.

For the Stoke Trent Council, just use email address [EMAIL="enquiries@stoke.gov.uk"]enquiries@stoke.gov.uk[/EMAIL] and it won't cost anything.:)

How about the poor peeps who cant access or use email then.;)

OldGreyFox

Oliver14 wrote: »

How is it a rip off when those with a BT landline will pay less?

Have a read of the dialogue that is developing in comments below the article and your find out.

Also see this thread on saynoto 0870 .

http://www.saynoto0870.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.cgi?num=1298751920/4#4

OldGreyFox

molerat wrote: »

I use 18185 and a normal call costs 5p way cheaper to me than any of these calling plans cost. :mad:

Yes its a great service but unfortunately does not give access to 0844 numbers.:D

sirmarcus

OldGreyFox wrote: »

How about the poor peeps who cant access or use email then.;)

Good and fair question. Unless they get email access, they will have no other option but pay in order to contact the council.:(

Techhead_2

Oliver14 wrote: »

How is it a rip off when those with a BT landline will pay less? It's not a rip off just because someone uses an 0844 number it depends on the Tariff and this one is cheaper. So are you saying the council are lying about the call charges? Have you evidence of this?





So you didn't read the link then?

The point you are missing is that 0844 numbers are not always included in the bundled calls. Which means that these calls will be charged for even if you have inclusive or bundled calls.
This is why responsible organisations provide a geographic number alongside the 08 number.