Cost of calling 0844 numbers?

Heinz

spikeyman wrote: »

Hi can't see where it says 0844 type numbers are free, only 0800, can you clarify?

Sorry, I meant the 0800 call would have been free on giffgaff.

Yes, they allow porting (mine went through very efficiently within an hour on the set date).

OldDIYer

Gwyndaf wrote: »

Thanks Heinz, that's VERY interesting. We have been charged 10.3p/min for some 0844 calls which is what started all this off.

Saynoto0870.com here we come, although interestingly O2 do offer free 0870 calls in one of their call packages.

Looks like we've had the same experience with O2!

My bill had £7 for hanging on waiting for Disneyland Paris to talk to me on their 0844 800 number which is in band g6. It would have cost 5p/min from BT landline but was more than twice that from O2 landline. (Saynoto0870 had no other numbers.)

I complained & got nowhere - so have now followed their formal complaints procedure asking whether it's a mistake or profiteering - it must be one or the other!

I wonder if Ofcom would be interested?

OldDIYer

Got nowhere with formal complaint to O2. They say they are well within Ofcom rules & I should read their T&Cs and tariffs before making calls!

I'll have to check with Ofcom and/or switch providers.

Heinz

trevbrierley wrote: »

Got nowhere with formal complaint to O2. They say they are well within Ofcom rules & I should read their T&Cs and tariffs before making calls!

I'll have to check with Ofcom and/or switch providers.

Sorry, you're going to waste your time.

Such a complaint would be like complaining about the cost of electricity supplied to your home when the bill came in. It costs what it costs and you're supposed to know (they don't hide the prices and neither do O2).

Ypaymore

trevbrierley wrote: »

Got nowhere with formal complaint to O2. They say they are well within Ofcom rules & I should read their T&Cs and tariffs before making calls!

I'll have to check with Ofcom and/or switch providers.

The fact they charge more for calls to 0844/0871 type numbers has been discussed quite a few times.

EG: https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2417939

churchrat

Please help--very confused!!

my parents gp uses a 0844 number for his surgery. I "think" that the bt list says its a g6 number and so charges 5.015 per min. How do I find out how much the gp gets from this? or can I not do that from the list?

Also--does anyone know how much an ordinary local call costs during the day on bt? I am VERY thick and cannot find out on google.

many thanks

Heinz

You're right, g6 rate 0844 numbers cost you 11½p call set up fee + 5.105p/minute. The call set up fee will increase to 12½p at the end of April.

The cut that the GP surgery takes from the use of an 0844 number is not disclosed but, more than likely, is in the order of 2p/minute. Alternatively, the firm which supplied their switchboard equipment will take that cut and the surgery gets free maintenance instead of a simple rake-off (in that way, they have 'plausuble deniability' and can deny making any profit from the use of the 0844 number).

A weekday daytime call to an 01/02/03 number via BT for residential customers who are not on their Unlimited Anytime calls plan currently costs 11½p call set up fee + 7p/minute.

However, from the end of April, a weekday daytime call to an 01/02/03 number for BT residential customers who are not on their Unlimited Anytime calls plan, will increase to 7.6p/minute (apart from the 1p increase in the call set up fee already mentioned).

http://www.calls.bt.com/pricechanges/?s_intcid=con_intban_YA_instit_landing_img_Price_02

01/02/03 calls can be made for 5p connection and 0p/minute, regardless of duration, using 18185.

N.B. The engaged tone denotes a call which has not been connected and, hence, attracts no charge. The LNR (Last Number Redial) button was introduced to accommodate such circumstances.

A call to a multi-line system which is 'answered' by a robot and which remains connected whilst automated menu options and/or recorded announcements are offered, is charged for from the moment of connection until the moment of disconnection.

cathodetube

I am with Plusnet for broadband, line rental and calls. Just checked with them about 0844 numbers and they charge 10.5 pence connection charge and then 6.5 pence per minute. I also asked about the 0871 numbers and was told that it depends on what the 0871 number you are calling charges. Supposedly Ofcom is trying to get these numbers charged at one rate.

billsavings

cathodetube wrote: »

I am with Plusnet for broadband, line rental and calls. Just checked with them about 0844 numbers and they charge 10.5 pence connection charge and then 6.5 pence per minute. I also asked about the 0871 numbers and was told that it depends on what the 0871 number you are calling charges. Supposedly Ofcom is trying to get these numbers charged at one rate.

They have given you duff info.The only thing right is the connection charge. They charge from 0.50 to 5p a minute to call 0844 non geographical numbers,depending on charge band.

Chargeable 0845 calls are 6.4p a minute :eek:.

http://www.plus.net/residential/tariffs/homephone.html

Eg. A G6 band 0844 number will cost 5p a minute to call. g22 band 0.50.


Ofcom have no plans to introduce one rate.;)

cathodetube

Billsavings, thanks for your reply. I looked at the link you sent and it was about as clear as mud! How do you figure out what band an 0844 number is in? It sounded like the Plusnet employee I was talking to was reading from some type of script. I have specifically avoided calling these numbers but need to call one tomorrow. I looked at saynoto0870 and couldn't find any alternative unfortunately.