MSE News: Did you know 0844 numbers can cost double 0845 ones? Don't get fleeced by p

Herbalus

vbbot wrote: »

I could not believe that during the stress of guiding my son through 'clearing' for university, the only way to contact UCAS was via an 0871 number - they even block the landline number given to overseas callers if you try to call from a UK number.

Dial 141 before the number. It will withhold your number. Should work for next time.

Ypaymore

vbbot wrote: »

I could not believe that during the stress of guiding my son through 'clearing' for university, the only way to contact UCAS was via an 0871 number - they even block the landline number given to overseas callers if you try to call from a UK number.

See the work around from a UK Mobile here :

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4741395

Ypaymore

I am suprised that the MSE reporter did not mention that Ofcom will soon require businesses using 084, 087 or 09 numbers to display details of the inbuilt Service Charge under Ofcom's "unbundled tariffs" plans.

Also as DaveAA points out in this thread post 124 https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/561005

" Calls to 0845 numbers incur a 2p/min "Service Charge". If the caller is paying less than that, it's because their phone company is discounting the call by using some of the monthly package price to subsidise the cost.

Once BT is freed from the "NTS Condition" and allowed to add an "Access Charge", these may no longer be inclusive calls for anyone. Ofcom's intention is that 0845 becomes like 0844."

zerog

So when 0844 and 0871 numbers become inclusive which they may do eventually, we'll just get 0842, 0841, 0873, 0874 etc/ numbers which will be the new premium rate

You can always call 0800 from a payphone

sdduk

zerog wrote: »

So when 0844 and 0871 numbers become inclusive which they may do eventually, we'll just get 0842, 0841, 0873, 0874 etc/ numbers which will be the new premium rate

You can always call 0800 from a payphone

If you can find a payphone:)

Don't have any where i live even in the town.

jhp

zerog wrote: »

So when 0844 and 0871 numbers become inclusive which they may do eventually, we'll just get 0842, 0841, 0873, 0874 etc/ numbers which will be the new premium rate

You can always call 0800 from a payphone

No one has ever suggested they will become inclusive have they ?
But 0845 could well become non -inclusive.

cvCA

So what should small businesses do? They use 0844 because there are no-cost-to-the-business providers who will reroute that to whatever geographic number they are at that day, or take a voicemail. The only firms I've seen offering similar 01/02/03 numbers are VoIP providers which is OK if you've a computer hooked up where you're working that day, but it's not quite as good as being able to direct to fixed lines. Also, mobile networks either block VoIP or don't have sufficient data network speed in some places.

Some may say that they should upgrade to recipient-pays redirection services, but do remember that each extra cost for the business is a cost they'll look to recover from their customers through higher prices. So what would we tell our friendly local businesses to do? Or is this another move which will play into the hands of the big-enough-to-bully-suppliers businesses?

Money-Saving-King

vm2pensioner wrote: »

Perhaps MSE ought to publish a shame list of businesses that use 0844 and 0871 numbers.

Would be a bit pointless. Would anyone really read a list that probably has over 100,000 entries on it?

Ian01

MSE_Helen wrote: »

Did you know 0844 numbers can cost double 0845 ones?

At this stage, with Ofcom only months away from publishing draft legislation to implement the "unbundled tariff" system for non-geographic numbers, I think it's unhelpful to compare the prices for calling 0844, 0845, 0870 and 0871 with each other.

The most important comparison to make is that 084 and 087 numbers are more expensive than 03 numbers. The most important point to convey is that the cost of calling an 084 or 087 number includes a hidden Service Charge to the benefit of the called party while there is no such charge within the call price for 01, 02, 03 and 080 numbers.

All this should be done noting that BT's prices for 084 and 087 numbers are subject to a maximum price limit cap - meaning BT prices for these are always the lowest - and further noting this price restriction (the "NTS Condition") will be lifted in 2014.

Importantly, BIS have published legislation requiring businesses to cease using 084, 087 and 09 numbers for customer service and move to 01, 02 and 03 numbers.

Once Ofcom have implemented their proposed regulation making 080 numbers free calls from mobiles, 080 numbers will also count as acceptable customer service numbers.

pixie27

MoneyWise is also alerting people to the possible changes and I posted the comment below.
Why is this present Government bringing in new legislation? There was a directive passed in Parliament in 2006 banning these 084/087 numbers to be implimented by 2008 to give companies sufficient time to change - did this happen, of course not. Some of these national companies with high street departmental stores and shops are making half a million pounds and more a year sharing it with the telephone provider. Why should customers have to pay to make an enquiry with a company - when applying to join a scheme ie home insurance, the company supplies an 0800 number, but once a customer has joined and has a query with the account, the company changes to an 0845 etc for the customer to contact them. I actually contacted M&S to voice my disgust at this practise.
I telephoned Trading Standards to enquire as to why this law had not been implimented and was told that the feedback from the companies was that they had not had sufficient time to introduce the change!! I have heard nothing further since.
I am also a great fan of "saynoto0870" and if that fails should there be a Head Office landline number I ring that and asked to be transferred.
It will be interesting to see whether this Government makes any headway - I am not holding my breath.