Primus and 18185

Tiny_Tiger

It's all rather interesting. As it is, it doesn't really effect me much -I only phone when calls are free on primus, use giff gaff for mobile calls, fish text for cheap texts, the 0844 numbers for phoning abroad, and my works phone for day time calls. (yeah - I'm stingy!!)

However, it would be nice if the primus issue could be made clearer (or cleared up) by MSE.

Thanks for the feedback, though, peeps - at least I know its not just me!:T

malakoffee

Tiny_Tiger - you a definately not alone. My signup to Primus was under exactly the same circumstances. i.e. a new connection, so I could not signup online via HomePhoneChoices.

I signed-up over the phone, direct to Primus, and was ( apparently ) given exactly the same deal as via HPC.

The ability to use 18185 was one of my major reasons for risking an 18-month contract with Primus. Had I known that it was not available I would have gone with BT & Plusnet.

I did my research ( thanks MSE and elsewhere ), but have been caught out.

I will be formally complaining to Primus, to see whether that gives me any options.

As we all know - choosing a broadband / phone / gas / electricity supplier is turning into an incomprehensible nightmare.

malakoffee

Just reporting that the alternative 18185 number ( 0808 1 703 703 ) WORKED OK over my Primus line - the direct 18185 number did not.

I have the PrimusSave phone & broadband product and assume it uses the TalkTalk LLU facilities, as stated above. . . . . Another reason I would not have chosen this option had I known.

mbeenham

Just initiated a switch to Primus via Homephonechoices.
Having spotted this thread I rang Primus Customer Services to check.
Since I'm switching to a basic line rental only deal (no included calls) 18185 is fairly important!

They confirmed that 18185 is blocked on phone+broadband packages but not on phone only.

Since I'm only switching my phone I should be OK - otherwise I've got the adviser's name and logged the date and time of the call in case of fisticuffs later.

Tiny_Tiger

Let us know how it goes. It'll be interesting to see exactly what is what. I hope the MSE team are watching too, as the 'promise' may need making clearer or modifying so we understand exactly what they mean.

mbeenham

My switch to Primus Line Rental Saver completed on 15th December with no problems and 18185 continues to be available just fine.

I spoke to customer services a couple of times before the switch and each time it was confirmed that 18185 will continue to be available to me until at least December 2012.

They said 18185 is blocked with Primus broadband/phone packages but since I wasn't moving my broadband I didn't seek clarification on this.

Maybe the MSE need to get this clarified and modify the 'promise' appropriately.

carbonara

I'm about to be moving soon and am currently looking at options to make my bills as cheap as possible so have been doing a lot of research regarding phone call/line rental/broadband etc. I'm not stupid by any means but the whole way the phone system works is just totally incomprehensible. How on earth are customers supposed to know hat they are signing up for, it's such a risk, especially when all line rental contracts are for a minimum of 12 months. All this LLU, CPS, disconnected, non-active, stopped, BT line only (which can also mean you can pay someone else for line rental I gather) needs to be sorted out and made so much clearer.

What we need is legislation that forces providers of all types of communication services to specifically state what happens when you switch to them and how that might affect you should you wish to switch away from them and how it will affect the other services you can get whilst you are with them. This should be made clear, in plain english and then they can ask you to confirm you have understood.

Phones4Chris

18185 make it quite clear on their website that you need to be on a BT line (ie not LLU - Local Loop Unbundled) to use the 18185 prefix. LLU providers are not obliged to provide access to 1xxx Indirect Access (prefix) Codes. The use of the term "Carrier Pre-Select" (CPS) earlier in this thread in relation to 18185 is incorrect.
CPS is where you pay Line Rental to one provider (usually BT Retail) and your calls are routed to another provider by pre-selection at the exchange so you do not have to dial any access (prefix) codes. There are so few providers giving a new CPS service, most providers use WLR3 (BT's Wholesale Line Rental) where you pay them for your line rental and calls (except the calls where you use an IAC, eg. 1xxx or 0800/0808xxxxx).

If you sign up to Primus Saver Phone & Broadband, this is a LLU service and there is no access to 1xxx codes. If you click on the "Help" tab on the PrimusSaver website http://www.primussaver.co.uk/ is it clear that the Phone + Broadband service is LLU, whereas the Home Phone (phone only) is WLR.
I also posted in January in the Sticky thread (towards the top of the page) "Signing up for call1899/18866/18185" that access to 18185 and other 1 codes was not available from LLU providers.

You can always use your favourite Search Engine to look for information, search the various providers websites or phone them up to get information, or if you are not sure that you've got all the information you want, come to this, or a number of other websites and search and/or ask. Never assume.

Note: the Post Office Home Phone has no minimum tie-in/long contract and they have an offer until 20th May for £0 new line provision, yes zero £.
Plusnet home phone is only 30 day notice, but you need their broadband to be able to take it.

Quentin

Phones4Chris wrote: »

I also posted in January in the Sticky thread (towards the top of the page) "Signing up for call1899/18866/18185" that access to 18185 and other 1 codes was not available from LLU providers.

You can still use 18185 via the free no: 08081703703