Say No to 0870!

JohalaReewi

avantra wrote:

I think we should complain to BBC watchdog about the 0870.
Trouble is they use.. 0870 for contacts.

Have done that before!! Needless to say, nothing came of it

derrick

JohalaReewi wrote:

Have done that before!! Needless to say, nothing came of it

Likewise,and am still waiting

Heinz

avantra wrote:

I think we should complain to BBC watchdog about the 0870.
Trouble is they use.. 0870 for contacts.

---

Work is the worst sort of slavery.
Paul Lafargue, (1883).

You could always call 0800 044 044 to complain to BBC Radio 2's You and Yours programme about BBC1's Watchdog programmes' use of 0870 numbers!

Victors_Bruvver

I am sorry if this is long winded, but this is what the DVLA have told me about their use of 0870 numbers. It is all a bit of a flim flam I think, and the quote at the end of being publicly funded makes one wonder how much funding is expected from the public. Surely when these agencies were firsr started, they knew how much it would cost to run?

"With reference your comments on the Agency's use of 0870 telephone numbers, I would like to give some background as to why the decision has been made touse a non-geographic number as opposed to the traditional STD telephone number.

DVLA derives a number of benefits is using non-geographic numbers. Lines
with different delivery numbers can be added or removed to a non-geographic
numbers within hours, helping us deliver a better and more proactive service
to our customers at minimal cost. To change geographic delivery numbers has a standard lead-time of thirty working days and incurs costs from line
suppliers.

Real time statistics are available which allow is to monitor the network,
alerting us to pressure points and faults immediately. This service is not
available on geographic numbers.

Historical data on non-geographical numbers is presented to us
electronically and goes into much greater detail than geographic numbers.

As a national organisation, it was considered iniquitous that some of our
customers should benefit from their geographic location to Swansea, whilst
other callers paid more for making the same telephone enquiry simply
because of their remoteness from Swansea. By using a non-geographic number, this ensures that the arrangements are fair and equitable to all.

DVLA is mindful of its duty to ensure that we provide all our services as
cost effectively as possible. An average call to the Agency lasts under
four minutes, which generally equates to the cost of a first class stamp,
and is met by the person using the service as opposed to the public as a
whole.

I acknowledge that the Agency receives a proportion of the cost of the call
made using a non-geographic number, however the rebate money received from our service providers helps fund the Agency as a whole, and in no way can, or should, be regarded as profit.

Turning now to your claim for compensation. I should explain that the Agency
is publicly funded and is accountable to H M Treasury for all expenditure.
We must ensure that any payment is entirely appropriate and in line with
strict rules for the disbursement of monies from the public purse. All such
payments are audited and we have to justify fully any that are made. Having
reviewed the circumstances, I regret that I cannot consider your request for
compensation etc etc.,"

Heinz

The DVLA supplied a geographic number some time ago in response to a SayNoTo0870.com member's Freedom of Information Act request (see HERE ).

The above was the usual garbage they gave out and the continued attempt to use the "As a national organisation, it was considered iniquitous that some of our customers should benefit from their geographic location to Swansea, whilst other callers paid more for making the same telephone enquiry simply because of their remoteness from Swansea. By using a non-geographic number, this ensures that the arrangements are fair and equitable to all" justification is particularly annoying because, since BT forced most members of the public onto BT Together Option 1 (on which any call to any UK 01 or 02 number costs 3p per minute weekdays) on 1/7/04, it has been a complete lie.

colin_tomlinson

Heinz wrote:

The DVLA supplied a geographic number some time ago in response to a SayNoTo0870.com member's Freedom of Information Act request (see HERE ).

The above was the usual garbage they gave out and the continued attempt to use the "As a national organisation, it was considered iniquitous that some of our customers should benefit from their geographic location to Swansea, whilst other callers paid more for making the same telephone enquiry simply because of their remoteness from Swansea. By using a non-geographic number, this ensures that the arrangements are fair and equitable to all" justification is particularly annoying because, since BT forced most members of the public onto BT Together Option 1 (on which any call to any UK 01 or 02 number costs 3p per minute weekdays) on 1/7/04, it has been a complete lie.

Even if their claim was true, why not have a local rate number? ... or even a free one? Then no one would benefit either.

It seems someone has realised. You can now call DVLA free of charge on 0800 389 8787.

Al_Mac

Not sure if it has been suggested.

Somewhere on the site listing a cross reference of 0870 numbers to normal numbers/email address, normal addresses.



Having just seen the phone bill, biggest call was to one of these, 5% of the bill, thank goodness for 18866.

:mad:

kazd

My mum has just told me that her Doctors surgery now has an 0870 number. I think that is outrageous.

theloft

Al_Mac wrote:

Not sure if it has been suggested. Somewhere on the site listing a cross reference of 0870 numbers to normal numbers/email address, normal addresses.

This has been taken care of on the website: https://www.saynoto0870.com which is sponsored & supported by Martin/Money Saving expert.com

Victors_Bruvver

kazd wrote:

My mum has just told me that her Doctors surgery now has an 0870 number. I think that is outrageous.

Dear kazd, this has now been "outlawed" by the Department of Health". They are in the process of instructing all health pratices, with the exception of dentists and Opticians, to return there original local number. What's more is that each practice can claim up to £500 (I think) to offste the cost of switching the number back from the 0870 one!