Say No to 0870!

sergeant121

The 0870 contact number for the rail crash is disgraceful!  >:(

The 0870 rip off got a mention on BBC Radio 4's You and Yours programme today. Listen to it here.

Thank you VERY MUCH for that link.  I missed the programme but that was brilliant - and will now be included in any complaints I make about 0870 use.  

Two such (now both sent), will be to TVP and the Home Office.

knuckledragger

Dear Sir,
I would like to register my disgust at the use by Thames Valley Police of 0870 010 0732 as the contact number for their Casualty Bureau.
It turns my stomach to think that the force is making money out of the distraught relatives and friends of those involved in the recent rail tragedy.
I shall be sending a copy of this email to several newspapers to alert them to the force's latest ill conceived money making venture.

yours faithfully,

Sent to Thames Valley Police Authority via their website. It is to the authority that the police answer.

BlueVinney

A couple of points to highlight from the Radio 4 slot on 8 November posted in the above replies.

1. Ofcom proposed code of practice will require companies/organisations to pubicise a geographic number as well as 0845/0870 number WITH EQUAL PROMINENCE. ;D ;D ;D

2. Ofcom want feedback on the proposals by early New Year and expect them to commence during spring.

3. Check out the links from DonnyDave and JohalaReewi to hear the full investigation and then email Ofcom to give your support to the exercise.

Mind, I can't believe that Ofcom are doing something which will save us all some money. ;D

JohalaReewi

Have submitted my comments on the consultation document. It is pretty easy to do. Just see the full plain english version at

http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consultations/current/NTSOptionsforthefuture/nts_future/nts_sumry/nts_summary.pdf?a=87101

Have a read and towards the end there is a question sheet. Cut and paste the text of this into an email and answer the questions you feel like answering. Send the email to nts@ofcom.org.uk who do actually read it. Whether they will make things fairer for consumers remains to be seen.

DonnyDave

Matt Peacock of Ofcom admits that 0870s are premium rate by another name!

JohalaReewi

Searching the web for places to purchase an item I found a supplier whose only contact number was 0871 !! This was for sales lines, and customer service lines. What a rip off.

skeggysteve

Hi people,

A few comments.....

I have read (nearly!) all the posts and loved the banter!

I recently had to call DHL to get a parcel delivered. They had left a card because no one was in when they tried to delivery it.

The only option was a 0870 number. I looked at the saynoto0870 web site, tried the the numbers given but was just given the run around or cut off.

So called the 0870 number got the "you are number x in the cue" and after about 18 minutes got cut off - 4 times.

That is what I call a scam and if DHL want to sue me for saying so then please go ahead!

I have a monthly pack with Onetel (side note very pleased with them) and it was very easy to find, on thier website the pre-dial number to route the call thru' BT.

Steve.

PS. FAO Derrick - Love your sig. "Please don't steal - etc. etc."
Well.... it made me laugh! Thank you.

Victors_Bruvver

My experience with the DVLA in Swansea yesterday was typical of how we are being ripped off and, dare I say it?, was starting to look like a scam on the part of a government agency to gather in as much revenue from the 0870 number rather then letting their customers use the new internet service to renew their car tax.
I tried repeatedly over the past seven days to renew via the internet, but each time was told that technical or some other problems prevented me from doing so and I should call the 0870 number. When I called I get a long drawn out menu of options to choose from and then on to another menu to choose from there and then eventually an automated system to “punch" in your registration details, reference number etc etc.
I managed to speak to someone in Swansea and when I told him about the "premium" number they were using he said he did not realise and that he did not want to know and that I should complain to the Organ grinder and not to one of the Monkeys that work there!!

derrick

Geographical numbers for DVLA:

Switchboard? 01792 788125

Vehicle enqiries 01792 782700

Vehicle licences 01792 782782

Driver enquiries 01792 782341

Road tax refunds 01792 782992

I have not tried these numbers,but got them off the "saynoto0870" site

JohalaReewi

Have you noticed the 0871 number blazened by Pizza Hut in thier TV ads (eg. during the Simpsons on C4). Like 0870 isn't going to make them enough they need to use 0871??