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Martin's appearance on Watchdog

clock24
Posts: 59 Forumite
in Phones & TV
Liked your bit on the prog last night, Martin, but could you not ask them, next time you're there, why, as a consumer 'watchdog', they insist on only giving out an 0870 number for contact?
Surely this helps to perpetrate the 'covert' premium line scam!
Surely this helps to perpetrate the 'covert' premium line scam!
I say what I like, I like what I say!
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Comments
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I suppose they could give out an 0800 number.
Providing you wish to pay even more for a TV licence!This is a system account and does not represent a real person. To contact the Forum Team email forumteam@moneysavingexpert.com0 -
whats wrong with an 01 / 02 numberAny posts on here are for information and discussion purposes only and shouldn't be seen as (financial) advice.0
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It could be a carryover from the days when the national rate was much higher than local so the Beeb didn't want to appear too London-centric. At least 0870 gives the same (expensive) rate to everyone.
Still maybe if you're earning a lot as a broadcaster it doesn't occur that the rest of us are being ripped off. Yep with a geographic code then even I might ring them via 18866.Nice to save.0 -
On the last series they did use an 02 number,but this series,as a supposed champion of the consumer,they like a lot of BBC radio/t.v programmes are using these rip off numbers. >:( >:(Don`t steal - the Government doesn`t like the competition0
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And, when you use the cheaper route ([email=watchdog@bbc.co.uk]e-mail[/email]) to complain, they can't even be bothered to reply.
watchdog@bbc.co.uk30 years, 217 days!0 -
Agreed, Heinz, I had tried that when I complained directly to them ( and also got no reply!) - just thought Martin might have a bit of extra 'clout' as he is one of the 'team' at BBC Watchdog.I say what I like, I like what I say!0
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They don't say calls are charged at "national rate". They now say "Tariffs vary, please contact your operator for details" under the 0870 number on their Contact Us page.0
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They don't say calls are charged at "national rate". They now say "Tariffs vary, please contact your operator for details" under the 0870 number on their Contact Us page.
They used to publish a standard geographical number (which'd cost most of us a total of 1p to call) and now they publish a Disguised Premium Rate 0870 number (which'll cost most of us at least 7p per minute to call.30 years, 217 days!0 -
Sorry, that's not the point.
They used to publish a standard geographical number (which'd cost most of us a total of 1p to call) and now they publish a Disguised Premium Rate 0870 number (which'll cost most of us at least 7p per minute to call.
The point I was making was that they have apparently recognised that "national rate" does not mean what people think it means.
I do not believe in my previous post I condoned the use of the 0870 covert PRNs.0 -
The BBC has a long term agreement with their telco provider to use 0870 numbers in these situations.
They don't get an revenue for using 0870 numbers but it helps them offset the cost of providing other contact numbers (including the 0800 ones they have)
Regards
Sunil0
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