Quote lona – ‘These 0870 numbers are a pain in the neck. Has anyone ever noticed….’
I certainly have!
I did originally post this in Freeserve forum, to follow Mark Mc’s post there.
But feel, or hope it would be more appropriate here.
I don’t care for the wide spread & ever increasing use of 0807 (non geographic) numbers prevalent now.
Ferry, rail, bus travel, Visa, & catalogue enquiries etc. etc., you name it!
While I agree that it is not premium rate, I feel certain there is a ‘kick back’/ profit to the operators of these numbers.
Whilst the unfortunate user has to pay the Nat. rate of 8p min., even if living ‘next door’.
And worst of all -
Not only but also, by using alternative providers, I can make calls on my BT line at a cost of 2p per min. for peak rate Nat calls, to anywhere in the UK.
But I am denied use of these lower rates for ‘non geographic’ 0870 numbers, & have to pay full rate.
Also 0870 etc are also not included or eligible for the BT ‘Call Allowance’.
(£6.40 Qtr Std tariff, more on other packages).
Which is increased & forced on us as a ‘sop’ every time they (frequently) increase the line rental charges.
(Unfortunately there are no cable alternatives avail. in my area).
What happened to the announcement on the Nat. news some while back, that BT has to release its stranglehold on line rentals, & “Lines may be offered free of rental charges”, I wonder.
Naturally for any services that I require, I give first choice to those with a geographic (normal exchange number), in preference to 0870 every time.
Furthermore, IF I were to ring anyone on 0870 No., it will cost me 8p per min at ‘peak time’/daytime rate, or £1.60 every 20mins.
Whereas ringing any standard UK exchange No. (0191; 01695 etc) will only cost me 2p per min ‘peak’ Nat rate, or only 0.40p every 20 mins!
I find this 0807 ‘non geographic’ syndrome certainly is a pain in the neck, & elsewhere besides!
Although of course this is only my view to the way it affects me.
But 0870, (& 0845 for that matter) are bad news as far as I’m concerned!!
PS. To other post added since written –
Quote lona – “What I don't understand is why do we need these numbers.”
We, the customers don’t!
Obviously a lot of these operators are intent on making a profit.
Aside from any claimed possible convenience of a central call centre in a few cases.
