Cost of calling 0844 numbers?

clive12

Just a thought but has anyone setup their own 0844 number and then used this as their main contact for companies who refuse to have numbers which don't charge you extra for the privilege of calling?

Googling "Free 0844 numbers"

It would appear that there is no cost involved for setting up these numbers and no ongoing maintenance cost involved.

Callers can then be routed to whichever number you choose.

It would be poetic justice if Doctors who want to profiteer out our need to call them have to then experience the same costs for calling patients.

I would be pretty certain that it would go someway to stopping nuisance callers as if they had to pay to call you they would probably think twice about it.

Plus as an added bonus when you receive calls from people you dont want you make money from them

Managed to get around the move to an 0844 number by my doctor as they have installed a 0870 number for overseas callers but you can call this from the UK too and we aren't charged for calling 0870s

The Government needs to do something about this though as NEG (Network Europe Group) is profiteering out of our Health Service and taking advantage of the poor and disadvantaged.

Not sure if Martin reads this board but this needs to be brought to light as complaining about this is enough to make you ill and no one from your MP to the Surgery itself can be bothered to deal with it.

poppasmurf_bewdley

I think NEG is the same company as Talk Talk, so the best way of controlling them is to never do business with Talk Talk.

Speaking personally, I've never phoned an 0844 number, and I never have, and never will, do business with this cowboy outfit.

stuttard

NEG is part of Daisy Communications plc although it buys its lines from TalkTalk. NEG now admit that the use of 0844 numbers may not be in accordance with the DoH regulations - see their website and "Advice on Compliance to Doctors". Despite this, nothing has altered. The main shareholder in Daisy Communications is Matt Riley who, on "The Apprentice" poopooed someone who suggested being paid to queue at the dentist's. Riley makes his fortune by us paying him to queue on the doctor's telephone.

andymat

Have been speaking to Herts Insurance Consultants on the phone and as an aside I asked about the claim on a page on their site that I was diverted to for a quote that the 0844 number that they ask you to call them on to finalise a quotation is free to call. I have just been told that yes, it is indeed a free number. Can this be right?

notbritishgas

andymat wrote: »

Have been speaking to Herts Insurance Consultants on the phone and as an aside I asked about the claim on a page on their site that I was diverted to for a quote that the 0844 number that they ask you to call them on to finalise a quotation is free to call. I have just been told that yes, it is indeed a free number. Can this be right?

NO, 0844 numbers are not included on any call plans and cost you to ring them.

Heinz

andymat wrote: »

Have been speaking to Herts Insurance Consultants on the phone and as an aside I asked about the claim on a page on their site that I was diverted to for a quote that the 0844 number that they ask you to call them on to finalise a quotation is free to call. I have just been told that yes, it is indeed a free number. Can this be right?

They lied.

That's another insurance scam artist to avoid then.

derrick

andymat wrote: »

Have been speaking to Herts Insurance Consultants on the phone and as an aside I asked about the claim on a page on their site that I was diverted to for a quote that the 0844 number that they ask you to call them on to finalise a quotation is free to call. I have just been told that yes, it is indeed a free number. Can this be right?

No it isn't, but this number for HIC would not be chargeable to you if you have inclusive minutes or will cost 5p for the duration of the call via 1899 regardless how long that is:- 01279 506090

.

Mr_happy_4

How did I ring Autonet Insurance on 0800 9078956 to sort out my insurance, yet I've just looked on my phone bill and I appear to have phoned an 0844 4099 127 number????????????????

I've made a mistake you might think.. No. Here's how I know. I'm setting up a business which isn't live yet so the business line is dormant at the moment... zero calls in and zero calls out... with exception to a call I made to my insurers via their 0800 number. My business number is a standard residential line at the moment.

You know what its like when sorting out insurance, you have a note book and paperwork from your insurers etc. Well I've just looked through everything I have and there is absolutely no reference to an 0844 number in their literature.
I didn't use my mobile to ring 0800 for obvious reasons so I used the only land line to hand which happened to be my dormant business line. This months bill shows two numbers and both are 0844 numbers.

What's more surprising is 23 min call cost me £2.51 exc vat. That's 10p per min. I know Autonet insurance have a premium 0871 number for general enquiries which I refuse to call.. I always call their 0800 number.

Now I hate paying these cheeky companies including Autonets pricey call tariffs so I personally always ring their 0800 number from a land line... So it looks like they are able to receive my call via the 0800 and then place me on a tariff of their choosing...

THAT'S FLIPP'N OUTRAGEOUS....!!!!

Just so you know Autonet, next year I'm offski. Unfortunately, I'm sure the new insurers I pick are likely to have similar ethics so we can't win.

cathodetube

My phone provider, Plusnet, allows me to call 0845 and 0870 numbers for free from my landline only.

Paul_Varjak

cathodetube wrote: »

My phone provider, Plusnet, allows me to call 0845 and 0870 numbers for free from my landline only.

BT also provide a limited allowance to 0845/0870 numbers within their calling plans.

TalkTalk provide an unlimited number of calls to 0845/0870 numbers within their calling plans (subject to a maximum of 60 minutes per call).

I believe that Virgin also now include free 0845/0870 calls