::)

Do Debenhams actually want to SPEAK to customers?

I tried both my local Debenhams stores today (Southampton and Bournemouth) with local 02 and 01 numbers, only to find that they are now both the same (Call centre??) [glb]08445 616161[/glb] number. BT didn't know at what rate 0844 nos. were charged .  Does anybody out there know 01/02 numbers for Southampton/Bournemouth Debenhams please.

BT charges 5p per minute at all times to call 0844 5 6xxxxx numbers - so they're Premium Rate as far as I am concerned.

http://www.bt.com/Pricing/pis_info.jsp?PRICE_OPTION=Residential/PIS_Specialised_Numbers/innertext/&showsub=PIS_Residential&showsub2=PIS_Specialised_Numbers&c_index=08

In fact, it's a crafty rip-off number because (I suspect) the number in the 0844 5 range was probably deliberately chosen in the hope most people would mistakenly assume it to be charged at the same rate as a so-called 'local rate' 0845 number (3p per minute weekdays and 1p per minute at other times and at weekends) when it's actually 66.6% more expensive than that weekdays and 400% more expensive in the evening and at weekends.

I have just sent an email to Debenhams, listing my complaint about their latest revenue making exercise.

I tried ringing the Cardiff Store (029 2039 9789) and got the automated message advising change to 0844 561 6161.  I rang their Head Office (020 7408 4444) and asked for the Cardiff Store.  They connected me to the 'Contact Centre', who in turn connected me to the Lost Property Office!!  Maybe I should have been more specific when asking for the Cardiff store.

I will let you know of the response, if any, I get from Debenhams.

Looking for an 01273 number for  

DEBENHAMS STORES RUSSELL PLACE 95-99 CHURCHILL SQUARE BRIGHTON BN1 2TE.

The non-geo number now given for all Debenhams stores is 08445616161 - not sure how much this costs per minute.  Google and 192.com produce numbers 01273326531 and 01273322500 but both these numbers just have messages saying they are no longer in use and one should ring the 0844 number.

Any help gratefully received.

sirp2000 wrote on Jan 11^th, 2006 at 4:27pm:

[...] Google and 192.com produce numbers 01273326531 and 01273322500 but both these numbers just have messages saying they are no longer in use and one should ring the 0844 number.

Well for starters, both are still actually in service and have not been disconnected.

• 01273 326531 just refers to 0844 number
  
• 01273 322500 says that the switchboard is no longer manned but says you can dial the branch number and the extension number that you want.

Perhaps one is a clue as to the direct-dialling prefix they have. Try dialling nearby numbers, eg 01273 322501, 502 etc.

Dave, many thanks for your help. As luck would have it, Debenhams phoned me today so I no longer need to contact them. Unfortunately I was out and they left a message so I was unable to berate them over their rip-off number.

However, from your help and the printed order I had from them, I had worked out that 01273 322*** would have got through to extension number 2***  shown on their order form. I tried it today and it worked.

Thanks again.