Cost of calling 0844 numbers?

Chrysalis

Some people seem misled and are grossly under estimating the cost of 0844. As well as 0845.

For a start 0845 is not included in typical contracts, its not in my contract, I asked around my family, none of them have inclusive 0845 on mobile contracts. 0844 and 0845 are both signifiantly more expensive on other providers than BT, I feel to now quote a BT price and state that means it costs the same as a 01/02/03 number is grossly inaccurate as the anount of people using a BT landline to make these calls is diminishing every day.

Also the fact ofcom allowed 0844 prefix to be created (it would need their approval) suggests they are in this act, they acted on 0845/0870 due to bad publicity but then obviously were in cohort with the companies to give them a workaround, so the enforcement was in affect a play act. In fact its part of ofcom's remit to only legislate in a manner that doesnt damage the profitability of those they regulate. So in affect they cant eg. say "right you are no longer allowed to profit of customer service calls" that breaches their remit. In short these ripoff numbers are here to stay unless there is a prolonged media campaign to cut the practice out. I think whats really shameful however is government departments utilising these numbers, and charities. The people most hit by these numbers are the vulnerable.

CLS direct
JCP
Hospitals - yes I still get letters with 084x numbers on them.
GPs
Dentists
Royal Mail
CAB

and probably more. All the above listed will have vulnerable people ringing and have some form of govenrment funding.

0844 and 0845 has spread like a virus, its everywhere. Just now I tried to order new look gift vouchers for my sister's birthday, not only an error on their website rejecting my card number but I am now on some email subscription list when I said no, no way to unsubscribe or complete order without ringing a 0844 number.

DaveAA

Chrysalis wrote: »

Some people seem misled and are grossly under estimating the cost of 0844. As well as 0845.

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.

The 0845 pricing link with "local rate" was severed a decade ago. These numbers are "cheap" calls only when your provider plays tricks to make them appear cheap.

Chrysalis wrote: »

0844 and 0845 has spread like a virus, its everywhere.

This is changing. BIS has recently published draft regulations that ban 084, 087 and 09 for customer service use. This will become law in December 2013 and will apply from June 2014.

Businesses will be required to move to 01, 02, 03 or 080 numbers.

Ypaymore

Dave AA they could use your expertise on the subject other here.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4745926

DaveAA

Ypaymore wrote: »

Dave AA they could use your expertise on the subject other here. https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/4745926

Who? What? Anything in particular?

cathodetube

What is BIS? Glad to hear that those numbers will no longer be allowed.

DaveAA

cathodetube wrote: »

What is BIS? Glad to hear that those numbers will no longer be allowed.

BIS is the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills. I think it replaced the old DTI.

The draft regulations are here (PDF):

https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/226625/bis-13-1111-the-consumer-contracts-information-cancellation-and-additional-payments-regulations-2013.pdf

See section 39.

Geoff_O

Cost to callers is one issue, but how much do businesses make from these calls?
I have obtained my car insurance through the RAC for a few years, and since I am due to renew a few days before I change address I called them on their 0844 number (the only one they provide). It was clear from the outset that their agent was spinning out the length of the call - reviewing details they already had and 'correcting' bogus mistakes. So a call which should only have taken 5 minutes lasted more than 20. (I have also had to 'phone them on several occasions to correct mistakes in their cover notes, again at my expense).
So it would then be clear that if these are deliberate tactics to obtain surreptitious income that 0844 numbers will inevitably lead to poor customer service, as well as leaving a nasty feeling that you are being ripped off!
In any case I won't be using them again.

derrick

Geoff_O wrote: »

Cost to callers is one issue, but how much do businesses make from these calls?
I have obtained my car insurance through the RAC for a few years, and since I am due to renew a few days before I change address I called them on their 0844 number (the only one they provide). It was clear from the outset that their agent was spinning out the length of the call - reviewing details they already had and 'correcting' bogus mistakes. So a call which should only have taken 5 minutes lasted more than 20. (I have also had to 'phone them on several occasions to correct mistakes in their cover notes, again at my expense).
So it would then be clear that if these are deliberate tactics to obtain surreptitious income that 0844 numbers will inevitably lead to poor customer service, as well as leaving a nasty feeling that you are being ripped off!
In any case I won't be using them again.

Plenty of other numbers in the Saynoto0870 site.

Put, RAC breakdown, into the "Company Name" search box and click Search.

.

a10consumer

Can anyone advise on the call cost to an 0844 number from a NON BT landline? I am with Virgin -

Heinz

a10consumer wrote: »

Can anyone advise on the call cost to an 0844 number from a NON BT landline? I am with Virgin -

The cost of calling 0844 numbers is not a single rate - it depends on the 5th, 6th and 7th digits. BT has the cheapest charges but all other providers are free to charge whatever they like/can get away with.

IMHO, Virgin hide what they charge for calling such numbers in the depths of their website (I eventually found it - http://store.virginmedia.com/content/dam/eSales/Downloads/010214_Non_Geo_V1.pdf - but beware that you have to wade through 113 pdf pages of their international call charges before you reach 08 numbers and then, amazingly, they don't list them in numerical order but in Charge Band order - so you spend ages finding the one you want!)

The last time I found the details, charges varied from about double what BT charged to an incredible 6 times what BT charged (IIRC, calls to what were then ½p/minute numbers were charged at 3p/minute and calls to 5p/minute numbers were charged at 10p/minute).

Using the MSE International Callchecker, a current comparison is possible. Using Planet Talk (0844 235 1020), BT charges 15p connection + 2.04p/minute to call a South African landline whereas, using the same number, Virgin charges 15.94p connection + 6.12p/minute - 3 times as much.