Ringing HSBC... do they benefit from 0845 calls?

me81pb

I'll keep it Brief,

I rang HSBC Re an account query on a current account, as per the website I rang the 0845 number. After abt 22 minutes of waiting I kept that call going and rang an 01226 number from my mobile. It got through to the same automated system, so i dialled in exactly the same data.

The call to the 01226 number was answered instantly, so i ended the other call (now at 26 minutes and still not answered),

My question is does HSBC benefit from me ringing the 0845 number and iIwonder if that's why they kept me on hold?

Thankyou

stclair

I would just say they was busy its not done on purposeit just the way the calls are routed via the IVR.

If you call a geographic number nine times out of ten you will get through straight away.

As you can imagine companies gain revenue from using 08 numbers:

http://www.saynoto0870.com/search.php

If the police can use them why should any other business not be able too.

me81pb

Be honest though the police/government need the money, the banks certainly don't. Typical of the big high street banks in my experience, ripping us off at every oppertunity.

I'm aware of saynoto0870

Thankyou

jjlandlord

0845 numbers are traditionally intended to allow callers to only pay local rates.
So certainly HSBC was not making any money. If anything, they are paying extra to have the 845 numbers available to you.

stclair

me81pb wrote: »

Be honest though the police/government need the money, the banks certainly don't. Typical of the big high street banks in my experience, ripping us off at every oppertunity.

I'm aware of saynoto0870

Thankyou

I think most businesses use 08 numbers now adays.

If you dont want to use them use traditional methods like pen and paper to contact them.

blueberrypie

jjlandlord wrote: »

0845 numbers are traditionally intended to allow callers to only pay local rates.
So certainly HSBC was not making any money. If anything, they are paying extra to have the 845 numbers available to you.

0845 numbers are *not* "local rates", they are "lo-call rates", which is completely different. And the companies who use 0845/0844 numbers can get a share the revenue generated by calls to these numbers.

opinions4u

me81pb wrote: »

Be honest though the police/government need the money, the banks certainly don't. Typical of the big high street banks in my experience, ripping us off at every oppertunity.

I'm aware of saynoto0870

Thankyou

While banks are making losses, perhaps they do need the revenue. That said, I have noticed that Lloyds TSB have been putting local numbers on some of their web pages recently.

As for the government, it could be argued that the obscene amounts of tax revenue wasted over the last decade are the biggest rip-off of all time.

jjlandlord

blueberrypie wrote: »

0845 numbers are *not* "local rates", they are "lo-call rates", which is completely different.

I mentioned "traditionally" because it is the way they were. And there is basically no "local rate" anymore
Nowadays it depends on your operator. Most BT plan will let you call 0845 numbers for free.

In any case, you will not get any payment from having a 0845 number.
E.g. I believe BT will even charge you when you receive calls on a 0845 number that you got through them.

So again I hardly see HSBC deriving any kind of benefit from its 0845 numbers (especially since they usually also provide a standard number right next to the 0845 one, c.f. on their website).

dzug1

Some time back there was a regulation drawn up to the effect that companies could NOT get a revenue share from 0845/0870 numbers. Whether it was ever confirmed I don't know

samwsmith1

dzug1 wrote: »

Some time back there was a regulation drawn up to the effect that companies could NOT get a revenue share from 0845/0870 numbers. Whether it was ever confirmed I don't know

That was only for 0870 - http://www.techwatch.co.uk/2009/08/03/ofcom-bans-0870-revenue-sharing/

opinions4u

dzug1 wrote: »

Some time back there was a regulation drawn up to the effect that companies could NOT get a revenue share from 0845/0870 numbers. Whether it was ever confirmed I don't know

Not aware of that. But you can get the lines installed for free in the call centre to get round it .