Free Directory Enquiries

Steve_xx

Yes, you're probably correct in your assumption.

JustPassingBy

Quentin wrote: »

They have pushed their advertising towards mobile phone users. Earlier this week they spammed MSE forums with a thread entitled something like "Completely free directory enquiries - put this number in your mobile".

The post also went on to wrongly claim calls would be free from mobiles.

I'm having difficulty locating the post you refer to but the FAQ on the website makes no such claim. They say:

"Mobile rates vary but most operators charge their standard rate per call for calls to 0800 numbers – i.e the same charge to call an 01 or 02 number."

Quentin wrote: »

Part of their business plan is to send spam texts to callers, so it is to their advantage to have as many as possible mobile phone users ringing them in and thereby giving them their numbers to add to their spam mailing list.

They would disagree with your interpretation of their business plan. From their Privacy Policy:

" 3.1 If you submit your mobile phone number via the Website we shall send a message containing our 0800 100 100 number to the mobile phone number you provide so that our number is automatically stored in your phone. Once we have sent this message, we shall delete your number from our system and not use it for any other reason. "

Quentin wrote: »

They have even managed to convince Which magazine that calls from mobiles are free, and they have put this wrong claim up on the Which website as if it is true.

Which magazine is responsible for what it publishes. Maybe it failed to research what was in the press release or didn't read what was in it closely enough.

jhp

JustPassingBy wrote: »

I'm having difficulty locating the post you refer to but the FAQ on the website makes no such claim. They say:

"Mobile rates vary but most operators charge their standard rate per call for calls to 0800 numbers – i.e the same charge to call an 01 or 02 number."



They would disagree with your interpretation of their business plan. From their Privacy Policy:

" 3.1 If you submit your mobile phone number via the Website we shall send a message containing our 0800 100 100 number to the mobile phone number you provide so that our number is automatically stored in your phone. Once we have sent this message, we shall delete your number from our system and not use it for any other reason. "



Which magazine is responsible for what it publishes. Maybe it failed to research what was in the press release or didn't read what was in it closely enough.

The company,s original press release circulated by the Press Association clearly said calls to mobiles would be Free.

Most Newspapers etc etc seem to have published it without checking the facts.

hollydays

When i rang them from my mobile initially I got a message saying there would be a charge,and I could end the call if I wanted.Its a hell of a cheek though saying the calls are free to mobiles-I would like to hear what the company has to say about this.

JustPassingBy

jhp wrote: »

The company,s original press release circulated by the Press Association clearly said calls to mobiles would be Free.

That's a bit naughty of them. They also claimed to be "The UK's only FREE directory enquiries service".

Why not just emphasise the savings which could be made by mobile phone users? I take it they exist?

Most Newspapers etc etc seem to have published it without checking the facts.

What's new!

Steve_xx

JustPassingBy wrote: »

Why not just emphasise the savings which could be made by mobile phone users? I take it they exist?

Not necessarily. Mobile companies often charge a higher rate to call an 0800 number than they do a national number, ie one starting 01, 02 and possibly 03.

Quentin

hollydays wrote: »

When i rang them from my mobile initially I got a message saying there would be a charge,and I could end the call if I wanted.

That message will have come from your network, not from the "not free" directory enquiries.

Quentin

JustPassingBy wrote: »

I'm having difficulty locating the post you refer to

The posts referred to were all deleted.

From a cached page:

The new number -0800 100 100 - is completely free and does not charge callers from mobiles, landlines or cable networks.

You say it is Which who should check what is in a press release before printing it, which of course we have a right to expect.

However it may be part of the embargo system that in return for adhering to an embargo (the press release had an embargo notice on it), publishers can expect that such releases are accurate.

This one was misleadingly inaccurate.

Your quote saying they merely send you a text with their number is out of context. That only applies if you give them your mobile number via their website.

If you phone from your mobile for a number they say this:

You will get the requested number with a marketing message from our advertiser sent by text message to your phone.

Clearly they much prefer to be able to spam your mobile than have you call in via a landline.

hollydays

One of the messages I got on the landline was a code (exclusive apparently!) for money off an Asda shop. Better than a kick in the teeth.

JustPassingBy

Steve_xx wrote: »

Not necessarily. Mobile companies often charge a higher rate to call an 0800 number than they do a national number, ie one starting 01, 02 and possibly 03.

I was actually thinking of 0800100100 versus whatever it costs to phone any other directory enquiry service from a mobile. 0800 as opposed to 118something if you like.

That 01/02 would benefit many mobile users is a fair point. Which raises the question - why would this company not offer their service on a geographic number?