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Hall of Shame: Companies changing numbers (Read 493,686 times)
Dave
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Hall of Shame: Companies changing numbers
Apr 4th, 2007 at 9:07pm
 
Useful Information & Say no to 0870! Hot Topics
» Hall of Shame: Companies changing numbers


Hall of Shame: Companies changing numbers


Some companies have changed to more expensive telephone numbers. Many are switching from 0870 due to the changes which are due to take effect on 1 February 2008 whereby companies will not be able to profit and will probably have to pay for incoming calls. They tend to be moving to 0871 numbers charged at 10p/min at all times, with some going to 0844s charged at 5p/min at all times.

From 0870 to 0871

Going Places - Each branch had an 0870 number, now replaced with 0871 numbers.
First Choice Holidays - Sadly it is commonplace that many holiday companies choose to charge above geographical rate and First Choice is no exception. It will cost 10p/min to call the reservations and customer services numbers shown on the website.
1&1 Internet 6p/min at all times from a BT landline
Alpharooms
Bristol City Football Club
Kwik Fit Although a freephone number is provided for contacting the nearest branch, and the company's website lists geographical numbers for branches, Kwik Fit lets itself down by providing 0871 numbers on directory enquiries services.
National Express
Nildram
P&O Ferries
Picturehouse Cinemas
Rugby League Super League - Ticket line now 0871
TalkSport
Tiscali - Broadband customer services and technical support
Travelbag
Travelodge - All hotels have changed numbers.


From 0844 to 0871

Home Delivery Network Limited has switched from 0870 to 0844, and then changed its mind again, settling on a premium rate 0871 number.


From 0870 to 0845

Laithwaites Wine Club Also operates other clubs such as Sunday Times Wine Club


From 0870 to 0843/0844

AirMiles
AMF Bowling - Numbers changed for all bowling centres.
BAA - Healthrow, Gatwick, Stansted, Glasgow, Edinburgh Aberdeen and Southampton Airports have changed numbers.
British Airways
Budget Insurance Services Limited (BISL)
City Link
Comet
CPP - Provider of HSBC CardGuard, M&S Card Safe and others.
DHL
Europ Assistance
Eurostar
Firebox.com - Replaced 0870 with 0844 costing 4p/min at all times.
Fitness First branches now have 0844 numbers.
House of Fraser
Lex Vehicle Leasing
Match Recruitment
Mercury Direct - Travel agency
National Railway Museum
Parcelforce Worldwide
Pavilion Publishing
Simon Jersey


From 0845 to 0844

Next Directory - Mail order enquiries numbers now changed.
Cahoot [Discussion here] - 0845 numbers replaced with 4 pence per minute at all times 0844 numbers.
Co-operative Bank
Smooth Radio (part of Guardian Media Group)


From Geographical (01/02) to 0844

Bridgewater Hall - Box office was 0161, now 0844
Ink2U
ITV Plc - Switchboards and direct numbers for staff throughout the country are being changed to 0844 @ 5p/min.
Maplin Electronics stores now have 0843 numbers
The Football Association (The FA) - Now based at Wembley Stadium, its 0844 number is published and its "local" 020 numbers are apparently a closely guarded secret.
Wembley Stadium


From Geographical (01/02) to 0845

Thomas Cook - All brances now have 0845 number. The 01/02 numbers now have messages redirecting callers to branch's new "lo-call cost number".
eXpansys
Vauxhall - Customer Care is now 0845


From Geographical (01/02) to 0871

Shrewsbury Town Football Club - One 0871 number for all departments at the club.
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« Last Edit: May 10th, 2013 at 7:26pm by Dave »  
 
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Dave
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Re: Hall of Shame: Companies changing numbers
Reply #1 - Apr 2nd, 2008 at 8:05am
 
From freephone (0800/0808/0500) to 0844

Aviva
Insure.co.uk
Philips Consumer Electronics


From freephone (0800/0808/0500) to 0845

E.ON Energy Services (formally Powergen)
Capital One
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« Last Edit: Jan 13th, 2014 at 1:03pm by Dave »  
 
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Dave
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Re: Hall of Shame: Companies changing numbers
Reply #2 - Apr 2nd, 2008 at 8:06am
 
Hall of Shame: Other 084/087 rip-off number users


Benjamin Scott helps businesses save money on their mobile phone costs. Even though it publishes its proper 01698 number online, it has chosen to use a maximum price (g6) 0844 number in local radio advert which it says is "local rate". Would you deal with a company that specialises in analysis of the cost of telephone calls, but doesn't know the cost of ringing it?
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« Last Edit: Mar 6th, 2011 at 11:55pm by Dave »  
 
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Re: Hall of Shame: Companies changing numbers
Reply #3 - Apr 5th, 2007 at 3:47am
 
Dave wrote on Apr 4th, 2007 at 9:07pm:
Some companies have changed to more expensive telephone numbers. Many are switching from 0870 due to the changes which are due to take effect on 1 February 2008 whereby companies will not be able to profit and will probably have to pay for incoming calls. They tend to be moving to 0871 numbers charged at 10p/min at all times, with some going to 0844s charged at 5p/min at all times.

From 0870 to 0871

Going Places - Each branch had an 0870 number, now replaced with 0871 numbers.
Traveline [Discussion here] - The 0870 number for public transport enquiries nationally has been replaced with a more expensive 0871 number.

From 0845 to 0844

Next Directory - Mail order enquiries numbers now changed.
Cahoot [Discussion here] - 0845 numbers replaced with 4 pence per minute at all times 0844 numbers.

From Geographical (01/02) to 0844

MFI - All stores now have 0844 numbers.
Habitat - All stores now have 0844 numbers.

Note: Unless otherwise stated, 0871 numbers and 0844 numbers are charged at the highest rate allowed for respective prefixes. That is 10 pence per minute for 0871 and 5 pence per minute for 0844, both at all times from a BT landline.



This is a draft at the moment. Depending on what information and how many entries there are, the format may be changed. A table may be more appropriate so that those companies that have changed from/to other NGNs can be listed, eg 0870 > 0844, 0845 > 0871, 0845 > 0844 etc.

I have left this thread unlocked at present. When the final one goes 'live', I may just amend this post and remove subsquent comments, or I may leave this and create a new locked thread.



Thanks, Dave - this is what I had in mind in yesterday's post.

I think a table might work better
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bbb_uk
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Re: Hall of Shame: Companies changing numbers
Reply #4 - Apr 8th, 2007 at 4:28pm
 
I also think a table would look better.  However as there is only a few listed on it, it's not really needed yet but would nice as a table.  Wink
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GrahamH
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Re: Hall of Shame: Companies changing numbers
Reply #5 - Apr 14th, 2007 at 2:45pm
 
BMW Dealers (why am I not surpised?). If you look for cars on the Autotrader website, their dealers nearly all use an 0871 number to max out their revenue over the weekend, which is when I guess they get most enquiries

Luckily www.bmw.co.uk (mostly) still has the geographic versions;D,

If someone feels like harvesting the 0871 numbers, I've made a spreadsheet with the geographic ones to match them against
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What's the point of 0845? Local rate my ar$e. Usually MORE than Inverness to Penzance on normal nos. Occasionally the same, never less!&&&&OFCOM - A Truly Great Regulator, if you're out to gouge consumers
 
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Dave
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Re: Hall of Shame: Companies changing numbers
Reply #6 - Apr 14th, 2007 at 2:55pm
 
GrahamH wrote on Apr 14th, 2007 at 2:45pm:
BMW Dealers (why am I not surpised?). If you look for cars on the Autotrader website, their dealers nearly all use an 0871 number to max out their revenue over the weekend, which is when I guess they get most enquiries

I have found that with car dealerships, the manufacturer may give them an 084/087 number which is shown on the manufacturer's page for that dealership. The dealership will show geographical or a different NGN on their website, but in many cases geographicals are shown on BT Phonebook. I think that this is more for statistical purposes, although we cannot rule out revenue being earned.

I have not looked at Autotrader, but from what you're saying, I suspect that it is Autotrader who have implemented these numbers. This is like the various restaurant review sites that give 0871s for the restaurants and Rightmove.co.uk that gives 0845 number for estate agents. This is discussed here.

One clue that this is the case is that the 084/087 numbers begin with the same few digits. If you find one garage has 0871 1234567 and you Google a nearby number, such as 0871 1234568, and you find it brings up a page on the same site to a garage that is not connected to the other (i.e. not part of the same group), you can be sure that these numbers have not been put into place by the outlets themselves.
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Re: Hall of Shame: Companies changing numbers
Reply #7 - Apr 27th, 2007 at 12:34am
 
http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/headlines/display.var.1348940.0.changes_to...

<<
THE West Wilts Wide Citizens Advice Bureau is making changes in a bid to create a more efficient service.

From May 1 there will be a new telephone service with a new number (0844 499 4106).

Clients will be able to speak directly to a trained adviser who will be able to give them advice. Where it is necessary to see the client face to face, the adviser will then make them an appointment.

[...]
>>
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As from November 21, 2013, I no longer participate in the forum and am unable to receive private messages.
 
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Re: Hall of Shame: Companies changing numbers
Reply #8 - Apr 27th, 2007 at 12:23pm
 
idb wrote on Apr 27th, 2007 at 12:34am:
http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/news/headlines/display.var.1348940.0.changes_to...

THE West Wilts Wide Citizens Advice Bureau is making changes in a bid to create a more efficient service.

From May 1 there will be a new telephone service with a new number (0844 499 4106).

Clients will be able to speak directly to a trained adviser who will be able to give them advice. Where it is necessary to see the client face to face, the adviser will then make them an appointment.

0844 499 xxxx - 5p/minute at all times from a BT landline.
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« Last Edit: Apr 27th, 2007 at 12:30pm by Heinz »  

After years of ignoring govt. guidelines & RIPPING OFF Council Tax payers using 0845 numbers, Essex County Council changed to 0345 numbers on 2 November 2015
WWW  
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Re: Hall of Shame: Companies changing numbers
Reply #9 - Apr 28th, 2007 at 12:58pm
 
I say 'hit them where it hurts' if people voted on mass & refused [wherever possible] not to do business with these companies - they'd soon start changing their policies.
Alternative get them to call you back & quite often this will reveal the real geographical number behind the 0844/5 or 0870/1. Also some companies advertise an 0800 number for new customers like Halifax etc - these can still be used after you've become a customer!  Cool
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Best Regards&&&&Glenn Lewis&&&&Glenn Lewis CeMAP Cert CII (MP)&&Alexander MORTGAGE SERVICES
 
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Re: Hall of Shame: Companies changing numbers
Reply #10 - May 1st, 2007 at 8:01am
 
Hall of Shame - excellent idea!  Smiley

I know from previous posts there are misgivings about this idea but why not devise a template complaint letter that those of us interested could tweak (e.g add a paragraph stating how long we've been a customer) inorder to express our dissatisfaction with these shameful acts!

Maybe also, especially if this hall of shame grows, do a email to all SayNo members highlighting this trend and encouraging others to complain/boycott the companies concerned.  This could lead to more media attention, particularly timely with the premium rate compeition line rip-off being so prominent.
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There's more of us that them, stick together and challenge 0870/0845 etc etc
 
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Re: Hall of Shame: Companies changing numbers
Reply #11 - May 16th, 2007 at 3:39pm
 
I think you should put all benefit services into category. You used to be able to get through to the benefit services in your area via a geographical number. This has all been centralised now and is part of job center plus, available via an 0845 number.
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Re: Hall of Shame: Companies changing numbers
Reply #12 - May 19th, 2007 at 11:07am
 
I'm pleased to see others have noticed the move from 0870 to 0871 numbers. I have been "stung" myself. My O2 package is inclusive of 0800,0845 and 0870 numbers, so I was off guard when I rang an 0871 number. Helpful email from O2 "You'll not be charged for making calls to the phone numbers starting with 0800, 0845 and 0870. Calls to all 0871 numbers are charged at 35p per minute, The phone numbers starting with 0871 are premium rate numbers". Allowing 0871 numbers to be premium rate is surely an open invitation for dubious businesses to make a "killing".

I noticed on another forum that there was supposed to be a move away from this confusion such that 0871 and even 0870 numbers would disapear or be charged at national rate only. Does that mean it costs the same as 01/02 numbers (i.e. inclusive with many providers) or like the old 0870 numbers, up to 10ppm. All very confusing.
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Re: Hall of Shame: Companies changing numbers
Reply #13 - May 22nd, 2007 at 12:26am
 
another one for the list is Traveline, was 0870 xxx xxxx but going to be 0871 xxxxxxx

Not sure on the number, but I think its a joke! I wont be ringing the premium rate number
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Re: Hall of Shame: Companies changing numbers
Reply #14 - May 22nd, 2007 at 10:02am
 
Consumers do have power, and we can change this.  Whenever I'm forced to use an 0878 number, and when I eventually get through, I ask for an alternative number to dial.  If there is no alternative offered, I make sure that the person I speak to notes the fact that 1) I will never call that number again, 2) I shall seek a competitor that does not force customers to use 0870 numbers.  This strategy, however, is probably no good when contacting governemt departments, although I believe that those using this prefix have been instructed to change it.  We can but hope. Roll Eyes
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