BT Directory Enquiries Nightmare - Help needed

Rainbowman_2

I was just reading your thread about outrageous call charging as I'm now in the same position. I recently made a single call to BT Directories from my mobile and the next day my phone had been suspended as this one call had cost £175.09. all I had asked them to do was to transfer me to their free connections team. I can only think that the charges accumulated whilst I was kept in a queue, the phone line ringing and no one available to answer. I am appalled that BT should treat its customers this way. I contacted BT requesting a refund but they did not get back to me on Monday as they had promised. Can anyone advise on how to proceed please?
Thanks
Rainbowman

Rainbowman_2

I recently made a call to BT directories 118 500 from my mobile and the next day my phone had been suspended due to a call I made to BT Directories 188 500 number to the tune of a staggering £175.09. I actually called them and asked to be transferred to their connections team, [which I thought was free] so I was astounded by the fee. The charges accumulated whilst I was kept in a queue, the phone line ringing and no one available to answer. I am appalled that BT should treat its customers this way. I was expecting a callback on Monday but alas BY have not yet responded. What should I do? any advice please?

Collabora

well all these calls are charged higher on a mobile phone. you should always use a landline for such calls

grumbler

In what you quoted I don't see where it says that directory enquiries calls cost a fortune.
At 40p/min a call has to last for more than 7 hours to cost £175.

grumbler

Even from BT landline it costs 59p+£2.39/min:eek:

Anyone willing to pay this price is either very reach or very lazy.

Silk

Put a complaint in to phonepayplus they issued a £225k fine to BT recently for the same situation and instructed them to refund customers.

d123

£2 a minute according to the EE cost checker.

If they then ask to be connected to the number the premium rate cost continues for the connected call as well.

Herongull

You may be able to claim a refund see:

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-2551432/Callers-BTs-118-500-directory-enquiries-claim-refund.html

NiftyDigits

Herongull wrote: »

You may be able to claim a refund see:

http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/bills/article-2551432/Callers-BTs-118-500-directory-enquiries-claim-refund.html

Within the comments...

I just phoned BT, and this is no longer current. The offer was only up until January 2012 /13 I think she said. They will no longer refund costs because they have now written (apparently) their costs on all written info about BT!! The prices are extortionate, disgusting! 50p plus £2.30 odd for each minute!! We've just been billed £17 for 6 mins apparently WHICH didn't happen! Who takes 6 mins to ask for a obtain a number ? Liars! Don't ever use the 118500 it's a massive theft of your money.

Rainbowman_2

Thanks for all replies - Yes I was shocked by the cost but it is absolutely accurate - to say I was staggered is an underestimation - I have e-mailed phonepaypus as advised by Silk - so THANKYOU !!
I will also try the THIS IS MONEY link to see if I have any joy.
I know BT may advise you of costs per minute but I just didn't think they charged you to wait in a queue for them!!!-

grumbler

I just like this reckless BG's activity that turns sensible threads into senseless mess...