Cheap ways to call 0844?

d123

I wonder if anyone has found any call throughs or other cheaper means to call 0844 numbers?

Reason I ask is that I'm on Virgin and they are about to include 0870 calls in the "free" allowance, unfortunately my caring Doctors surgery still insists on only supplying an 0844 contact number. I had the idea of perhaps using an 0870 call through to access the 0844 numbers but don't seem to be having much success finding any info (every google search just brings up pages and pages offering me 0870 numbers :mad: )

Any ideas?

McKneff

Try googling Saynoto0870 for an alternative number.
(it also includes 0844 numbers)

Heinz

The cheapest provider for 0844 calls is BT.

If you want a geographical alternative for a particular 0844 number (e.g. for one of the greedy GPs' surgeries who've changed to such a revenue-sharing number), www.saynoto0870.com is a possibility.

Remember though that numerous 0844 numbers - those used by cheap calls providers - save users money (see the MSE CallCheckers).

jhp

Virgin Media now do a bolt on where all 08 calls are included.


"Talk 08 £5: Includes 250 minutes each month of direct dialled voice calls calls to UK numbers starting 08. You must keep your Talk 08 £5 package for at least 30 days. Available to Virgin Phone customers only. We reserve the right to vary the inclusive minutes within the Talk 08 £5 plan. We will publish these changes on our website, so check virginmedia.com/callingcosts regularly. The changes will take effect when posted on the website. Further terms and conditions apply, see virginmedia.com for details."


http://shop.virginmedia.com/the-legal-stuff/terms-and-conditions-for-cable-services/phone-review-the-legal-stuff.html

patricia1066

Thanks for the link. I clicked through on calling costs, there are five pdfs for residential tariffs that have changed since May 2011.

Pre-May, May, July and August.

Can anyone summarise the changes, or point to a virgin document that does.

These constant changes should be against the guidelines Ofcom has signed them up to.

zagfles

0844 usually aren't too expensive, between 1-5ppm (on TT anyway, guess Virgin will be similar). I guess calls to the doctors would be fairly short so is it really worth worrying about?

Heinz

zagfles wrote: »

0844 usually aren't too expensive, between 1-5ppm (on TT anyway, guess Virgin will be similar). I guess calls to the doctors would be fairly short so is it really worth worrying about?

Guess again. Virgin charges DOUBLE.

I have read that these systems are designed to prolong calls with automated menu systems and recorded announcements and that 20 minutes is not unusual. The 'never get the engaged tone' argument translates to "thanks for your contribution."

zagfles

Heinz wrote: »

Guess again. Virgin charges DOUBLE.

I have read that these systems are designed to prolong calls with automated menu systems and recorded announcements and that 20 minutes is not unusual. The 'never get the engaged tone' argument translates to "thanks for your contribution."

I thought 084x numbers had to be 5ppm or less?

jhp

zagfles wrote: »

0844 usually aren't too expensive, between 1-5ppm (on TT anyway, guess Virgin will be similar). I guess calls to the doctors would be fairly short so is it really worth worrying about?

Semi Premium Rate revenue sharing 0844 calls cost the same on TT all the time 24/7 no advantage in calling between 1-5pm.

jhp

zagfles wrote: »

I thought 084x numbers had to be 5ppm or less?

Thats BT rates. Other suppliers can charge what they like Virgin Media and o2 homephone are the two biggest landline culprits ,and some mobile networks charge as much as 40p a min.

jhp

patricia1066 wrote: »

Thanks for the link. I clicked through on calling costs, there are five pdfs for residential tariffs that have changed since May 2011.

Pre-May, May, July and August.

Can anyone summarise the changes, or point to a virgin document that does.

These constant changes should be against the guidelines Ofcom has signed them up to.

Heres a thread with the latest price rises if that helps .

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/3321654