Vent against cost of connected calls from 118 247

mum2one

Its a vent but also to make people aware just how much these calls actually cost, my mum rang 118247 for a number, and the helpful advisor offered to connect her, - not once did they tell her the cost that would be incurred.

£10.16 - arrived on the phone bill for a 3minute 52 second call.

I know the 118 call would have been around £2, but to charge that much is past a joke, I think they should be made to tell you the cost if you take the connect option up.

wealdroam

Thanks for the info, but I guess you haven't read MSE's Free Directory Enquiries article yet?

Just one short extract:

WARNING!
Call completion is a charming assassin

While it doesn't apply to any of my top picks, one of my pet hates is 'call completion', where the operator asks if you want to be connected through. It may be convenient but costs a fortune. Rather than paying the cost for a standard call, you're charged the directory enquiries rate for the normal call.

Let me use an example that isn't even the most expensive. Imagine you were using BT's 118 500 number one weekend. Get connected by the operator and you're charged 49p a minute or almost £30 an hour; yet if instead you'd simply taken down the details and called the number yourself, then even for BT users (who can save a fortune, read Cheapest Home Phones) the call would've been free!

So not only are the call completion charges high with 118247, but there are a number of cheaper directory enquiries services.

mum2one

My mother - shes not a silver surfer and thought she was doing me a favour..... esp as I pay the phone bill!!

x

dawyldthing

i always google any numbers as you can get most off google with a few minutes looking and i'm sure thats what most of them do too at a hefty cost

fluffnutter

I thought they were obliged to mention the cost when putting you through...?

wealdroam

fluffnutter wrote: »

I thought they were obliged to mention the cost when putting you through...?

But the cost per minute isn't changing.

It is exactly the same cost per minute at the original call to the directory enquiries service... just continuing on.

I have never used these services, but don't they mention the call cost at the very beginning... before you even get to enquire about a number?

fluffnutter

wealdroam wrote: »

But the cost per minute isn't changing.

It is exactly the same cost per minute at the original call to the directory enquiries service... just continuing on.

I have never used these services, but don't they mention the call cost at the very beginning... before you even get to enquire about a number?

Yeah, that's what I thought. TBH, I've not used them either but I was sure that at some point you're informed of charges. Perhaps the problem is that people don't realise that the charges continue. There's plenty of info out there warning people that they're an expensive way to contact people but then I guess I read all that kind of stuff whereas not everyone does.