The cheapest way to call from a landline

polymaff

I'm confused about something in the latest Martin's Money Tips:

"5. The cheapest way to call from a landline.
....
- Calling UK landlines. Peak calls via current cheapest, Cheap Calls, cost 0.5p/min + 15p connection. Via BT it's currently 9p/min + 15p connection."

I currently pay 18185 0.0p/min + 5p connection. What am I missing?

csj_2

Like polymaff, I was also surprised not to see 18185 listed on the cheap calls section in the most recent MSE Tips.

I also use 18185 successfully at the 5p connection and then zero pence per minute (for inland landline calls). This beats the Cheap Calls at a cost of 0.5p/min + 15p connection by a long way.

The quality of the calls via 18185 isn't always as good as using BT directly but most of the time I have no problems.

polymaff

csj wrote: »

Like polymaff, I was also surprised not to see 18185 listed on the cheap calls section in the most recent MSE Tips.

I also use 18185 successfully at the 5p connection and then zero pence per minute (for inland landline calls). This beats the Cheap Calls at a cost of 0.5p/min + 15p connection by a long way.

The quality of the calls via 18185 isn't always as good as using BT directly but most of the time I have no problems.

Yes, puzzling. BTW I did have trouble with 18185 some months ago with no outgoing audio. I noticed others reporting the same thing. Hopefully it is a thing of the past. I had a 2h09m chat with a pal yesterday. Cheap Calls cost would have been 50p. With 18185 it was 5p. Their (Finarea) calls to mobiles offering* is quite good, too, 15p + 1p/min - the same as CheapCalls - so why does MSE seem to ignore Finarea's products and concentrate on CheapCalls'?

*. http://www.0844calls.co.uk

Heinz

polymaff wrote: »

Their (Finarea) calls to mobiles offering* is quite good, too, 15p + 1p/min - the same as CheapCalls

* http://www.0844calls.co.uk

Callers not using a BT landline should be very wary though, many other providers charge considerably more than BT for calls made via 0844 access number.

polymaff

Heinz wrote: »

Callers not using a BT landline should be very wary though, many other providers charge considerably more than BT for calls made via 0844 access number.

V. Good point. That's one reason why I use, for the line, BT plus Line Rental Saver then for the calls, Finarea products.

oldharryrocks

polymaff wrote: »

V. Good point. That's one reason why I use, for the line, BT plus Line Rental Saver then for the calls, Finarea products.

Make Hay while the sunshines. BT can now block access to indirect numbers like 18185 etc if they want to.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4778004

Ypaymore

polymaff wrote: »

I'm confused about something in the latest Martin's Money Tips:

"5. The cheapest way to call from a landline.
....
- Calling UK landlines. Peak calls via current cheapest, Cheap Calls, cost 0.5p/min + 15p connection. Via BT it's currently 9p/min + 15p connection."

I currently pay 18185 0.0p/min + 5p connection. What am I missing?

Yet in the Callchecker they do give 18185,1899,and 118866 as the cheapest for 01/02/03 calls. http://callchecker.moneysavingexpert.com/ukcallchecker/landline/daytime/bt/easy

However they are not the cheapest for 03 calls as they now charge 3p a minute plus connection.

polymaff

Ypaymore wrote: »

However they are not the cheapest for 03 calls as they now charge 3p a minute plus connection.

Assuming your "they" refers to 18185, I can't see a difference between 01, 02 and 03 for 18185 charges with any of Callchecker's landline suppliers, and I can't see any supplier who charges 18185 for 03 numbers at 3p per minute..

http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/files/2010/01/numbering.pdf

Incidentally, I was going to check my latest 18185 bill, but their website, today, says "Your account has been blocked for security reasons. Even if you enter the correct details today you still cannot access your account. Please wait until tomorrow and try again."

It's all a conspiracy

Ypaymore

polymaff wrote: »

http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/files/2010/01/numbering.pdf

You're not thinking of 030 are you?

No.:D

All Ofcom are saying is the 030 part of the 03 range are allocated to the Govt/Charity Sector etc. They are still charged the same as other 03 numbers and should normally be included in inclusive minutes.

18185 etc charge 3p a minute plus connection to call all 03 numbers eg 0333,0345 etc their website is misleading as it mentions only 030.

See thread here: http://www.saynoto0870.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.cgi?num=1406627607

Also here : https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/5026200

polymaff

Ypaymore wrote: »

No.:D

All Ofcom are saying is the 030 part of the 03 range are allocated to the Govt/Charity Sector etc. They are still charged the same as other 03 numbers and should normally be included in inclusive minutes.

18185 etc charge 3p a minute plus connection to call all 03 numbers eg 0333,0345 etc their website is misleading as it mentions only 030.

See thread here: http://www.saynoto0870.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.cgi?num=1406627607

I clipped out that 030 comment whilst you were writing - but the Ofcom pdf I linked to is quite clear about charging for 03. Like I said, 18185 won't let me look at my charges today.

Ypaymore

polymaff wrote: »

I clipped out that 030 comment whilst you were writing - but the Ofcom pdf I linked to is quite clear about charging for 03. Like I said, 18185 won't let me look at my charges today.

As you will see in the long thread people have tried to find out why 18185 charge more to call 03 numbers but get no response.

I have a 18185 account and i have just tried to call my bank,s 0345 number and they say they no longer support calls to 03 numbers.