Say No to 0870!

melwhite

Hi

This has been a major bug bear for me for some time and am glad someone else seems to have noticed how much it costs.

Having previously had a monthly fee package to cover "all calls" I was still paying £20 -£30/month on top for 0845 and 0870 numbers.

I heard a rumour that on 3 mobile phones these calls are included in your monthly call allowance, but when I asked in the 3 shop they said that they definately weren't included.

I had to make all call to a 0870 number whilst I was out and was dreading my mobile bill as I was on hold for over 10 minutes.

Imagine my shock and surprise when the bill arrived and the charge was..........0....

Thats right, absolutely free, so I am now making all my non geographic calls from my 3 mobile, lets just hope that they don't change the policy!

Loopytush

Erm, I agree with the above comment but you must of taken your time...02 have always included 0845 and 0870 in the "minute allocation"

Loopytush

But then again you do have to call them on an 0870 (yes there short code for cust serve is chargeable) and the q's are real bad.

In fact another inside peice of info, the Preston Brook call center for o2 have recently sent new objectives for their staff. At the moment any member of staff starting work between 10am and 12 midday are to advise customers they have to arrange a call back for them due to call volumes. And then staff starting work after 12 are given call backs in batches of 10.

Regardless when the call back is arranged for your call back is dished out at 12 and if you are tried 3 times (which could be within a 2 hour period) your call back is put in the bin.

And even with this the Q is real bad (example today at 12:10 there were 227 people queing)

jonisin

The scam of 0870 numbers. My ISP sent me an email to say that they couldnt take payment from my debit card and I had to ring their 0870 number. This took 3 days many attempts and a bill of £1.49, they also refused to answer any emails I sent them.

There was nothing wrong with my card and they said Oh dear me it seems our computer has muddled up your card numbers, your not alone this has happened to quite a few people.

I question this error and suspect its a new scam using these numbers, make up some excuse of a fault and ask their customer to phone their premium line. There is end to the sort of excuses companies could make up to get their customers to phone them.

They make sure everyone hangs on for many minutes and pocket a fat profit for nothing. A perfect way to make money when times are perhaps a bit quite for their staff.
0870 numbers are just a legal system for any company to screw money out of customers without providing anything for it. I can see the point of them, if the customer gets a service for a reasonable cost but its the way they are abused is the real scam.

I have written to Ofcom twice now and they just don't want to protect the customer they only appear to be interested companies and their profits. I urge you all to write to them, you cant just complain on here, do something positive write to Ofcom. If Ofcom gets inundated with complaints then they might just might act. Email them via their web site and perhaps we might put an end to this blatent theft of our money.

System

There is usually an 0800 number somewhere in the numbers or ringing their sales team which is always freephone is another good tip. In most cases they simply transfer you.

System

I looked forward to trying to say no to 0870 when my 6 month old freezer stopped working. Guess what. I dialled the alternative number from your list and it now refers you back to the 0870 number. I am refering to the Hotpoint service centre. They have obviously got wise to you, the b

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s.

gibby

a national campaign would be good to stop the rip offs!

I would be happy to email any lsit supplied to get these things stopped.

I used to sell 0800 numbers and in the us most numbers are 0800 or free due to customer service

BT pushed 0990 numbers for a few years but were much more expensive - in the Uk and agin a con

please start a national campaign!!!!!


G

Loopytush

I dont want to put out ya candles but a ntaional campaign would not work. BT themselves have recently tried to reduce the costs of the 0845 number range and it failed.

Basically you have consumer rights but these also apply to companies. It is there right to to choose their point of contact.

However for those that have problems with mobile telco's then heres a tip. If you have a problem send them a recorded delivery letter. They have to acknowledge this letter within 7 days. Even if it is a return letter or call. From this you can get a point of contact.

System

Loopytush.
Surely it would be more open if 0870 numbers were re-classified as 'Premium numbers'- that way customers would know they were being charged 'above the odds'.
At present, because of the way 0870/0845 have been marketed, most people think they are paying a 'normal standard' cost, whereas they are being charged much more (eg 7.9p/min for 0870 yet as low as 0.5p/min for a 01637.... number) so there is a 'premium.
If I wish to phone 'Millionaire' (as you alluded to) then it will clearly state the cost involved, so I accept or reject it. My CHOICE, and I am OK with premium numbers.
In the case of 0870 it only says 'national standard rate' and this is deceptive, since, if we take BT as an example, their 'national' rate on Option1 (which all customers will be on from July) is only 3p/min, therefore surely 7.9p/min is a 'premium'!!
You also opine that "if you don't like them don't use them...". Please explain how to contact Benefits , Tax credit, Child support agencies of our Government without 0845 numbers? Especially if you live in rural are, 20 miles from the nearest 'office'. Costs over 3p/min on 0845 - could get it for 0.5p/min on 18866 - but only 0845 numbers exist for these 'services'. So how does your theory of "Don't use these numbers" cover this??

System

Praise be to you Martin if you instigate a campaign against 0870 numbers. I have been increasingly incensed by their proliferation.
Financial injury is added to queuing insult when we have to pay hefty charges to call a company in pursuit of a complaint, query, order placement, renewal or whatever. The irritation factor as you have to listen to lists of alternatiives, "Your call is important to us"(and our profits!!), and Vivaldi's 4 Seasons ad nauseam, is just huge, and I try to boycott them when I can or ring at the weekends if that is possible. 0845 numbers are bad enough when queuing is long, but 0870 numbers.....Disgraceful!!!!
I hope you campaign and we can all support you.