Help with override numbers.Please?

zolabud_2

Hi all.
I am confused about these override numbers that you dial to make your calls cheaper.I'm with Talk Talk,on the International 2 package.After a very shaky start(I won't bore you) I have had a trouble free 6 months.

I seem to remember seeing somewhere on this board that if you are on Talk Talk some of the override numbers don't work.I have looked but can't find it.

I have read Heinz's detailed thread about these calls,but I'm not the sharpest tool in the box and would realy appreciate it if someone could help.

There see to be so many different sorts of numbers to prefix my various calls,and I am so confused now....

I go on the Talk Talk forum,which has proved really handy when I had a problem with my voicemail recently.They have a dedicated team of Talk Talk experts on hand to help with any problems.But they aren't going to help me with this one are they?

If someone could give me a link to a thread I may have overlooked...

Thanks very much.:hello:

Heinz

Even if your have accounts with 1899 and/or 18185 and/or 18866, it is unlikely that you will be able to use the 1899, 18185 or 18866 prefixes to make cheap calls if your line rental is with Talk Talk. That is because, in many cases, Talk Talk bars those prefixes.

1899, 18185 and 18866 also have 0808 freephone access numbers (and 020 numbers) available for use by those with cable and, on the face of it, those gateways should also work with a Talk Talk landline. However, Talk Talk can, if they wish, bar those gateway numbers too - forcing subscribers to make all their calls via Talk Talk.

http://www.1899.com/mobilerates.php

http://www.18185.co.uk/mobilerates.php

http://www.call18866.co.uk/mobilerates.php

zolabud_2

Thanks Heinz.That answer was very helpful.:beer:

So Talk Talk can bar those numbers...Do all the phone providers do that then?

Must be like playing cat 'n' mouse...

Zolabud.

Heinz

zolabud wrote: »

So Talk Talk can bar those numbers...Do all the phone providers do that then?

No, but they're in business to charge customers for calls so are not keen on people being able to route their calls elsewhere!

OTOH, BT has to allow that - which is why you'll see the recommendation, "leave your line rental with BT" so frequently in this forum.

zolabud_2

Right.
I have logged into those 3 websites and now know about overide phone calls.
They all work the same way,only the prefix number slightly changes?

A couple of questions though.

If I sign up with any of them,and I make a call with the prefix from my Talk Talk landline,how will i know if the discount has worked? Do I get some sort of notification? I say this because although they claim 'NTL,Telewest,and non BT lines' are covered by dialling 0808-1-708-708,I am wary of it not taking effect.

Out of the 3 you mentioned,is one any better than another?
Am I going to have to sign up with all 3,and see which one works?
Sorry for all the questions.

And thank you so much for your help.

Heinz

I describe the 0808 and 020 numbers as gateway numbers and the 4 or 5 digit numbers as prefixes but I see what you mean.

They operate online only accounts and you can check your calls online a few minutes after making them.

I favour 18185 because, via the prefix, they charge least for calls to UK mobiles during the week (but they're more expensive via the gateway numbers). It really depends on whether the prefixes work and what calls you want to route via them.

zolabud_2

I would have preferred to keep my BT landline,but with Talk Talk(with the 'free' broadband)that just wasn't an option.


Most of my calls during the day are to other local landlines and the odd 0845...
(I hardly ever use my landline to call mobile numbers)
Based on that,would you still recommend the 18185?

zolabud_2

Don't worry about replying Heinz...I will sign up and see what happens.

Thanks very much for your help.:beer:

Zolabud.

Heinz

zolabud wrote: »

Most of my calls during the day are to other local landlines and the odd 0845.
Based on that,would you still recommend the 18185?

Yes. 18185 is cheaper for 0845 calls.

I have my fingers crossed for you that the 18185 prefix isn't barred on your Tiscali line.

zolabud_2

Well,I have just signed up to 18185.I shall try it tomorrow,see what happens.

Not worth it now is it,cos I'm on free calls for the weekend?

Pity I can't test it out....

Shall update you tomorrow.

Thanks again Heinz.:starmod:

zolabud_2

Just thought I'd update you on my quest for cheaper phone calls.

Just made an 0845 call on my 0808-1-703-703(18185) and a lady told me it was going to be half a penny a minute!

I then rang my Mum,and it was 1 penny a minute.

Woopeedoo!!

Thanks Heinz.

Zolabud.:beer: