MSE News: Firms charge existing customers, but not new customers, to call

Former_MSE_Helen

"Many banks, insurers and energy companies operate a two-tier telephone system, penalising loyal customers ..."

Read the full story:
Firms charge existing customers, but not new customers, to call

edo

Tip : for banks and credit cards - use the 'phone from abroad' number - missing off the 44 country code of course - this is usually just a normal geographic number with a normal call charge

mjm3346

So what?

A few pence on phone calls is next to nothing compared to new customer discounts and other incentives many firms offer to bring in the business.

Must be a really quiet news day.

Azari

Slightly off topic but what is it with that weird photograph of the disturbing, androgynous, wally (or wallette) who does not understand the basic principles of using a telephone handset?

oldvicar

Time to give a plug for www.saynoto0870.com

frasr

the companies pay different rates to their telco provider depending on the type of number 0800,0845,etc selected. Some of the more expensive charges made to callers can provide a revenue share to the company you call so its actually generating money for the bank or other organisation if the caller is kept waiting.

Heinz

Which is why I always opt for an 0800 number if www.SayNoTo0870.com has one and then talk my way through to whom I want to contact. It nearly always works.

Roger1

edo wrote: »

Tip : for banks and credit cards - use the 'phone from abroad' number - missing off the 44 country code of course - this is usually just a normal geographic number with a normal call charge

Good advice most of the time, but there are exceptions.

British Airways have a number for calling from outside the UK - 0191 490 7901 - but try to use this and your call is met by a recorded message saying to use the 0844 number , and of course you have paid for the call. :mad:

And Halifax does the same when I call to tell them I may be using my credit card outside the UK.

Gemtree

This is just unfair, if they can give 0800 numbers to new customers then they can to existing customers.

Come on companies, buck your ideas up.

Heinz

Roger1 wrote: »

And Halifax does the same when I call to tell them I may be using my credit card outside the UK.

Did that myself yesterday (SAGA credit card) and talked my way through via the 0800 sales line. On that occasion, a friendly, "Oh heck, have I dialled the wrong number, I want to ....." worked a treat.

Roger1

I'll be trying the prefix 141 next time I have a fail. This withholds my number. It might work.