Say No to 0870!

Smartasss

Hypocrite is a word that comes to mind regarding the BBC and 0870 numbers.

J Vine and Sally (the traffic Lady) were horrified last time Martin explained the whole 0870 scandal.

Then Sally read out the traffic news and implored drivers to ring her with details of traffic problems. How many calls to that number I wonder? (Needless to say it's an 0870 one!)

Natelle_2

Sorry to waste peoples time, I wasn't aware of the articles on the other site! Still at least it indicates I'm not too stupid in thinking there is something a bit off with using the 0870 number.

I've sent my reply to the BBC suggesting they might like to display a non 0870 number on the TV screen as well as 0870 as an option to the public.

Paul_Varjak

Smartasss wrote:

Hypocrite is a word that comes to mind regarding the BBC and 0870 numbers.

J Vine and Sally (the traffic Lady) were horrified last time Martin explained the whole 0870 scandal.

Then Sally read out the traffic news and implored drivers to ring her with details of traffic problems. How many calls to that number I wonder? (Needless to say it's an 0870 one!)

I agree. It's one thing paying for an 0870 number when you are requiring some type of service, but when you are contributing for no reqard it is a bit much that they ask you to ring an 0870 number!

In some cases, I have know TV programmes (not sure which channel) that have asked viewers to contribute (at no reward to the viewer) by ringing an 090 number!

Paul_Varjak

sergeant121 wrote:

I'm afraid it's chocolate fireguard time with the BT.com Directory Enquiry website these days.

I used it only yesterday to find the geographical number of my Inland Revenue office in Middlesbrough. I knew the full postal address so entered 'Inland Revenue' as the company name and 'TS' as the first characters of the Postcode. Instantly, I was presented with the entry for my tax office - giving only the 0845 number.

Happily, the SayNoTo0870.com website had the geographical number in its database.

As a test, I then tried searching for the geographgical number of my wife's Inland Revenue office in Ipswich. I noticed that her January 2005 'Notice of Coding' showed an 0845 number but that the previous (July 2004) version showed an 01473 number. Entering 'Inland Revenue' and 'IP' resulted in the BT.com Directory Enquiry website offering only the geographical number!

In general, all enquiries to local tax offices now seem to be to a single 0845 number. The old geographical numbers (as published in older phone books) merely tell you to ring the new 0845 number.

I got around this, as the Inland Revenue uses DDI, meaning they have lots of numbers in the same number range. So I took the geographical number and changed the last digit - hey presto a local Inland Revenue man answered my call more efficiently than those on the new 0845 number - and without a queue!

Paul_Varjak

Natelle wrote:

Sorry to waste peoples time, I wasn't aware of the articles on the other site! Still at least it indicates I'm not too stupid in thinking there is something a bit off with using the 0870 number.

I've sent my reply to the BBC suggesting they might like to display a non 0870 number on the TV screen as well as 0870 as an option to the public.

I used to ting the main BBC switchboard and asked for Watchdog. Don't know if it still works though - i may be the main switchboard is on an 0870 number now!

TonyB

I recently watched a topic on Good Morning with Fern ' thingy ' oncurrent scams & they asked for input on an 0870 number.I sent an email asking why they used this thpe of number!!!! & also asking why they used an 0901 number@ £1 per call where you answer a stupid question & win a "substantial" prize. I was not being sexist etc when I pointed out that at that time of day mostly housewives would be watching & perhaps would not be aware of the small print explaining the cost of entry. I also wondered how many thousand entries were received. Hardly suprising that I got no reply.
This type of moneyraising system is very much on the increase as per example of 'Who wants to be ---- ' & Brainteaser etc. Even 'Bid up TV' uses 09**
( Did I hear someone say " Get a life!"

DonnyDave

Paul_Varjak wrote:

In some cases, I have know TV programmes (not sure which channel) that have asked viewers to contribute (at no reward to the viewer) by ringing an 090 number!

But 090 is premium rate and (most) TV programmes show pricing information. On the other hand, callers to 084/087 are unaware that the numbers cost more to call than a normal geographical number, and are therefore covert premium rate.

theloft

Natelle. The BBC have done away with their 0800 free numbers, I believe. I noticed on the radio (Fivelive) the other day that they were asking for people to phone in with traffic reports and that used to be free, now its an 0870. Even when they are asking for contributions !! This consumer rip-off is expanding daily. Have you also noticed that on commercial TV programmes, they now have stupid three answer choice quizzes and you can win £1/£2000 if you come out of the hat first. The calls cost £1 to 1.50 and assuming they get around 50,000 idiots entering, they have made a huge profit. Lets all write to the BBC for a start.

ericpode

Wasn't there soem sort of consultation process going on with Ofcom re 0870 numbers? I vaguely remember someone posting a link to a survey form on their web site where you could register your opinions about it.

There was some talk about businesses being forced to give equal prominence to 0870 and alternative geographical numbers.

Sorry I can't remember much more about it.

Incidentally I was a bit taken aback initially when the Osbournes TV appeal for Tsunami victims asked you to phone a 0870 number, but then I expect/hope that the profits from 0870 were going to the appeal too - or at least being used to cover costs which would otherwise have come from the donations.

colin_tomlinson

theloft wrote:

colin_tomlinson said :-
At www.thenumbercompany.com. I'm not connected in any way, other than being a customer) they will set up an 08 number for you - you get to choose which prefix and even the number itself (from a list of options) - absolutely free of charge. The call will be connected to your home number and then, depending on which number you've chosen, you'll be paid:

Have you tried this website lately ? I could not get it to load at all, adjusted cookies, but still no go! Have you got the url correct

Seems they've changed their web address - although I think it might have previously ended .co.uk! The new URL is www.twplc.co.uk. Seems they've also made minor adjustments to the rates (outpayments) and I've edited the original post accordingly.