Beware 1899 Misinfo On Us Calls

andy88_2

You have a point that they could have a more up to date "Latest news". But putting it at the bottom of the page in ordinary size print with a 3 months ago date is neither large nor attention-grabbing.

That is from scrolling down the page; in the top half (which is what you see first) there are 4 links to prices. The Superdeals box at top right used to include USA 0p, but does not now. The Customer reactions box is out of date though; UK rates have not been 0.5p per minute for 8 months; surely someone has praised the lower rate since ...

I think you are exaggerating your objections, but if you intend to stop using this there are other ways to call USA for very cheap - use the Callchecker to find others.

darbooka

andy88 wrote:

You have a point that they could have a more up to date "Latest news". But putting it at the bottom of the page in ordinary size print with a 3 months ago date is neither large nor attention-grabbing.

It is attention-grabbing when it is at the center of the top page, whether top or bottom; it is attenion-grabbing when the text is in present tense, implying current information; and, it is attention grabbing when it is under a bold heading and that bold heading is under an even larger, column-wide, blue-bannered, larger-bold heading which shouts "latest".

andy88 wrote:

...in the top half (which is what you see first) there are 4 links to prices.

If the comany is stating the price in the misleading, outdated text which contains the destinations in which the customer is interested, then the customer will be very unlikely to click the other links to different prices as the information of interest has already been seen and presented. The now-dubious annoucement does not have any reference, disclaimer or condition refering to any of the other links to different prices. Moreover, the now-dubious front-page wrong information urges users to disseminate this inaccurate data with an emphasized link facilitating forwarding it to friends, many of whom may also be misled.

andy88 wrote:

The Superdeals box at top right used to include USA 0p, but does not now. The Customer reactions box is out of date though; UK rates have not been 0.5p per minute for 8 months; surely someone has praised the lower rate since ....

Wrong information favourable to consumers does not justify wrong information financially detrimental to consumers. Also, what used to be included is irrelevant. No consumer can be expected to research what has changed on a suppliers website before making a decision. Only the information available at the relevant time is of any significance.

andy88 wrote:

...you are exaggerating your objections, but if you intend to stop using this there are other ways to call USA for very cheap - use the Callchecker to find others.

I don't think I'm exaggerating, nor do I intend to stop using this service; but whether or not I change to others I would consider any means or complaints procedure of getting 1899 or any other supplier to present reasonably accurate and non-misleading information - exclusively and without sympathy for the other benefits they do provide. As a commercial operation, regardless of their profit margins, the onus is on THEM and not on any consumers to be accountable for their mistakes. If they charge more than reasonably agreed, they are charging contrary to their agreement with the customer and that stands regardless of how much or how little more than agreed the charge is.

Edinburghlass_2

As this thread is more of a vent rather than a post for Home Phones I am moving it to the appropriate board.

andy88_2

I suggest you bring this oversight to the attention of the company rather than persist in blackmailing them here without their knowledge.

Anybody interested in using the service will have followed all the links several times checking things before signing up. I wouldn't sign up for something without finding out first if it was worth it, like tariffs to several destinations.

I repeat that you have a point, but it is too strongly made

darbooka

a. Andy, with respect, your reference to the term "blackmailing" is incorrect, implausible and also downright ignorant. It's really unjustified and a stupid thing to say. I have a suggestion for you, though: if you aren't sure what words mean, it can be helpful to consult a dictionary prior to using words in the wrong way and thereby making yourself appear daft. No offense, mate. But that's how it seems in this case;
b. I don't think the point can be too strongly made, when I and others are paying more than they led to believe in certain circumstances, and when - to the extent that accurate information is eventually reachable - they present information that appears to contradict what they are actually charging in at least one specific circumstance ; and
c. I've tried to bring it to thier attention but they seem to be very unsuccessful in returning contact to queries. They are good in providing generally low-rate service, and in billing customers; however, in handling issues submitted to them they seem quite lax or incapable.