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help needed please

Froglet
Froglet Posts: 2,798 Forumite
Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
Could someone please explain to a simpleton like me,exactly how you can save money on calls when with the basic package with BT? ie with the pre dial numbers?.

I have been on the low user scheme for years but have to come off it to get broadband.It is as cheap with BT for broadband as most other reputable companies so i may decide on them.However i use the phone rarely and so do not want to pay more than I need.

Don't have any need to phone abroad or a mobile.Just 01 numbers and 0845 mainly.

Thanks in advance.

Comments

  • Heinz
    Heinz Posts: 11,191 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker Car Insurance Carver!
    Please click the 'HERE' link in my signature below.
    Time has moved on (much quicker than it used to - or so it seems at my age) and my previous advice on residential telephony has been or is now gradually being overtaken by changes in the retail market. Hence, I have now deleted links to my previous 'pearls of wisdom'. I sincerely hope they helped save some of you money.
  • Froglet
    Froglet Posts: 2,798 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Thanks so much for that,it has explained it all perfectly.So what do these companies get out of it if they don't charge anything? Are they still making a small profit on calls then?

    I think i will look into the Sky offer,we have had sky for ever!! and always will.
  • Heinz
    Heinz Posts: 11,191 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker Car Insurance Carver!
    Froglet wrote: »
    So what do these companies get out of it if they don't charge anything? Are they still making a small profit on calls then?
    Take Primus Saver Option 2 as the classic example of "How do they do that for no monthly fee?"

    The 'come on' is giving you free evening and weekend calls of up to 90 minutes to UK 01/02 numbers (the Sky equivalents have 60 minute limits BTW). Their hope is that, because Carrrier Pre Select automatically routes all your calls, you'll not think about it and just dial your chargeable calls via them too. Needless to say, savvy MSE-ers don't do that!

    Depending on use, at £5/month, the Sky Talk Unlimited CPS package is certainly a bargain for some because, not only does it offer inclusive calls (up to 60 minutes) to 10 specific countries, it offers inclusive UK 01/02 calls at any time.

    The same need to be savvy applies though - make sure you route your other calls (particularly calls to 0844/5, 0870/1, UK mobiles and countries which aren't in the list of ten) via other providers.
    Time has moved on (much quicker than it used to - or so it seems at my age) and my previous advice on residential telephony has been or is now gradually being overtaken by changes in the retail market. Hence, I have now deleted links to my previous 'pearls of wisdom'. I sincerely hope they helped save some of you money.
  • Froglet
    Froglet Posts: 2,798 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    So in essence there is nothing to stop me signing up with Sky for free so i can just get free evening and weekend calls,then use a prefix number for day calls.Will BT be able to charge anything over and above the basic line rental?

    Who is best for 0845? It seems to me that 0845 and 0870 are the dearest.I have heard that BT are the cheapest but obviously you can only have one provider for your calls?

    Sorry for all the questions i just want to be clear so that BT don't talk me into something else!!
  • Heinz
    Heinz Posts: 11,191 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker Car Insurance Carver!
    After you switch to a CPS provider for (most of) your outgoing calls, BT will still handle your incoming calls. Hence, Caller Display and 1571 will still be 'BT Calling Features' and you will be charged for them if you don't play by their rather petty 'rules' and make at least 2 chargeable calls per month via BT if you're billed monthly (6 chargeable calls per quarter if you're billed quarterly) - so that's something to keep an eye on (you can do so online). Most people just make the necessary number of evening or weekend UK 01/02 calls of less than an hour with the 1280 prefix to qualify (6 x 5½p = 33p [6 x 4½p = 27p from 1/8/07]).

    You can use multiple providers for your calls. You, for example, are going to send (most of) your calls via Sky Talk by default but you'll probably use the 1280 prefix to 'hop back onto BT' for some calls (certainly the 6 'qualifying calls' mentioned above) and may use 1899, 18185 and/or 18866 for other calls.

    I try to keep my '7-steps' link up-to-date with a reasonable compromise between cost and ease of use for 0845 and 0870 calls but the MSE UK Callchecker sometimes flags up gateway providers offering better rates, so it's always worth checking if you're an avid penny-watcher.

    From 1/8/07, the BT Vs. 18185 comparison for 0845 and 0870 charges are HERE.
    Time has moved on (much quicker than it used to - or so it seems at my age) and my previous advice on residential telephony has been or is now gradually being overtaken by changes in the retail market. Hence, I have now deleted links to my previous 'pearls of wisdom'. I sincerely hope they helped save some of you money.
  • Froglet
    Froglet Posts: 2,798 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Name Dropper Combo Breaker
    Oh right so dialling 1280 reroutes the calls back through BT? I have just had a really unhelpful and offhand Irish woman from BT customer service who treated my queries about changing broadband and option 1 to them as if i was stupid.I really feel like forgetting the whole idea now!!

    i think i will go back to their website and try and understand from there.Or ring another day and avoid her!!
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