0844 Numbers

d123

grumbler wrote: »

I misunderstand the law?! Really?


The only we disagree about is the term "customer" and the law doesn't use this term.


If you are right, why the "clear" law doesn't simply say "customers" and says "consumers ... in relation to contracts entered into with the trader"?

The only reason is that "customers" is a more general term than people who entered into contracts. So is the term "customer services".
No, the law says "consumers ... in relation to contracts entered into with the trader", not "customers", i.e. only those customers who already entered into contracts must be offered a standard rate number and only IF the company offers a telephone number for such customers.

Thanks, you’ve just proven my point, “consumers who have entered into contracts” so (a) consumers (not b2b etc) and (b) entered into contract ie bought something and not just browsing or walking through (or using the customers toilets in Tesco).

The company in question does offer a contact number, so that’s not in dispute, is it?

I’m glad you’ve come around to my point of view,

Ian011

Irrespective of what the law does and does not allow, businesses that are not offering a premium rate service should not be using a premium rate number. The notion of making callers pay up to 65p per minute on an 084 number or up to 71p per minute on an 087 number in order to earn a few pence per minute from incoming calls is absurd. In many cases, such businesses are either unaware of how much callers are paying or have been misled by their telecoms provider.

grumbler

d123 wrote: »

Thanks, you’ve just proven my point, “consumers who have entered into contracts” so (a) consumers (not b2b etc) and (b) entered into contract ie bought something and not just browsing or walking through (or using the customers toilets in Tesco).

The company in question does offer a contact number, so that’s not in dispute, is it?

I’m glad you’ve come around to my point of view,

I don't think I have (proven/come) and you lost me completely, i.e. I don't understand your point.


My point:

• The company offers a contact number for customers/consumers that want to buy or have some questions before buying or are just browsing (i.e. have not entered into contract yet).
• For those customers/consumers who entered into contract the company offers other means of communicating.

I am not saying that the law is good/fair. It's a different question.