primus saver call prices clarification

deviantdave

I was about to sign up with primus for line rental with free evening, weekend calls but am confused about cost of using override providers during the day, or evening for numbers not included in package, like 0845, 0870, 0844, etc. Would I have to pay primus 11p connection fee for all these type of calls first and then whatever the override provider charges?

jhp

Yes you would pay a connection charge for all non inclusive calls and whatever Primus charge you to call the access number. You dont pay the override provider direct.

Heres what Primus charge to call 0845/0870 http://www.primussaver.co.uk/HomePhone.aspx they dont publish what they charge to call 0844/0871 numbers.

You can i understand still use www.18185.co.uk indirect access number at the present but how long this will go on is anybodys guess.

If they stop it you could still use their freephone 0808 access number.

http://www.18185.co.uk/mobilerates.php

Have you read any of the many posts about Primus very poor customer service.:eek:

deviantdave

Thanks jhp, So with indirect access numbers also, like 1899 you pay primus 11p connection and then pay 1899's call charge, but with bt there is no connection charge to pay, just 1899's charge?
It looks as though the cheaper line rental is not as good as first appears.
Another option for me would be line rental with O2, who i have just renewed my broadband with as they are offering 6 months free on 12 month contract.
B.T. had recently phoned me and offered their all calls package, including daytime and 0845 and 0870, and privacy, free for 12 months, with their normal line rental charge, (which i now,see is increasing in December) . I initially agreed to the offer. They also said i could add broadband for £5 a month. I have since discovered this is not true so cancelled the order, but maybe it is a good offer to take just for the next 12 months.

Is there a guide to the different options available other than the MSE one? I am finding it rather confusing trying to work out which is best.
I was already with primus as my CPS. never had a problem, so was not too concerned about the poor customer service record, thinking it's only line rental, not their broadband. I will read more about this.

btw i wasn't aware of the freephone access number for 18185.

Heinz

deviantdave wrote: »

Thanks jhp, So with indirect access numbers also, like 1899 you pay primus 11p connection and then pay 1899's call charge, but with bt there is no connection charge to pay, just 1899's charge?

I was already with primus as my CPS. never had a problem, so was not too concerned about the poor customer service record, thinking it's only line rental, not their broadband. I will read more about this.

No. If Primus allow the 4 or 5 digit prefix to be used, their charges should be exactly the same as if you had BT line rental (no connection or call charges being applied by Primus).

I'd recommend that, if you have BT line rental and Primus CPS, you stay with it (BT must allow the use of 18185 and any ADSL broadband to be carried) despite the more expensive line rental (remember Primus charge £2.50 extra for Caller Display so the saving is not as great as it at first appears to be).

deviantdave

Heinz, thanks for reply. I have just phoned primus (B.T.W. I actually got through straight away, on 0800 036 38 39, he said he was based in lancashire, not india, but they do have a call centre there) They confirmed that they have had a request to move my calls to B.T. and that he could not stop the request. However, he did say he could place a new order to keep just my calls with primus (not with line rental). I had read on the forum that once the CPS had been cancelled with primus it could not be set up again on it's own. I will phone again in a few days to check the situation. Also, I read your 6 point plan last night. Thanks. I do not have caller display with B.T. but now see that it is possible for free( subject to making 2 calls a month with B.T.) Is that right? How do I get it?

Heinz

It used to be just a call to 0800 121 8000 - but I haven't tried it for some time.

deviantdave

I started to apply for it online but at the last second noticed that it stated that by completing the order i was agreeing to my calls being moved back to B.T. Therefore i would lose my primus cps, if i have not done so already. Can it be done on the phone using the automated service without that happening? I expect it would be the same as doing it online.

vkharch

jhp wrote: »

Primus dont publish what they charge to call 0844/0871 numbers.

Hi, I might be bit late on this, but how does the MSE Call checker getting their call charges rates for 0844 numbers which I do use extensively for overseas calls, currently with BT.

I called Primus about a month or two ago and they say they charge same rates as per 0845 numbers which very confusing.

Could anyone actually with Primus saver line rental (£6.49 pm) using 0844 number confirm the charges(same as BT, lower, higher) as at least with BT one can check those charges online? :beer:That would be simply great.

Thank you

Heinz

vkharch wrote: »

Hi, I might be bit late on this, but how does the MSE Call checker getting their call charges rates for 0844 numbers which I do use extensively for overseas calls, currently with BT.

I called Primus about a month or two ago and they say they charge same rates as per 0845 numbers which very confusing.

Could anyone actually with Primus saver line rental (£6.49 pm) using 0844 number confirm the charges(same as BT, lower, higher) as at least with BT one can check those charges online? :beer:That would be simply great.

Thank you

I had a similar exchange with Primus 5½ years ago and it was clear they were very confused about such charges then - stating they charged the same for 0844 calling as for 0845 and the same for 0871 calling as for 0870!

See https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/comment/2060482#Comment_2060482

I have used BT for all such calls every since.

vkharch

Heinz wrote: »

I had a similar exchange with Primus 5½ years ago and it was clear they were very confused about such charges then - stating they charged the same for 0844 calling as for 0845 and the same for 0871 calling as for 0870!

I have used BT for all such calls every since.

Heinz, thanks for the response. Do you mean I can have Primus saver line rental and use BT for the calls :eek: (like overriding). If so can you please let me know how, as I am fed up with BT hikes...

Cheers

Heinz

vkharch wrote: »

Heinz, thanks for the response. Do you mean I can have Primus saver line rental and use BT for the calls :eek: (like overriding). If so can you please let me know how, as I am fed up with BT hikes...

Cheers

No, you cannot.

What I (and many others on this forum) have is a CPS tariff with Primus - but Primus no longer offer any CPS tariffs for new customerrs (you have to take their line rental too now). Those of us on legacy CPS tariffs are hanging on with our fingernails.