I'm annoyed to find the connection charge for 18866 has gone up again to 4p. How long can we expect this to go on for?

So now I need to decide whether to switch to
1899 (which has a 3p connection fee but 10p/min to mobiles) or
18185 (which has a 4p connection fee but only 5p/min to mobiles)

I can only have 1 programmed on my dialers.

Are 1899 or 18185 likely to increase their price?
Assuming 1899 stay with their 3p connection fee, they are still the cheapest for me.

You must have missed this post here http://www.saynoto0870.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.cgi?num=1133199121

You might also find this thread helpful. http://www.saynoto0870.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.cgi?num=1133447131

"Wake up at the back there, egri!!".
This was posted back in November, and discussed throughout December.
http://www.saynoto0870.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.cgi?num=1133199121

Happy New Year :-?

SNAP, bigjohn.
Great minds think alike.

firestop wrote on Jan 1^st, 2006 at 10:36am:

SNAP, bigjohn. Great minds think alike.

Yes!!! .But it does seem that a few people are still unaware see this recent thread on MSE site.
http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=128749

my invoice yesterday said that the connection charge was 3p.

quote

Please note that 18866 calls are subject to a 3p connection fee. A 5 minute call to a destination charged at 1p per minute will therefore cost 3p connection + 5p call charges = 8p. Our up to date low tariffs can be viewed on our website www.call18866.co.uk.

On following this link, below the HUGE "FREE..", it says (in small print!!, "You will only pay a 4p connection fee").
And my invoice has already charged this - were your invoiced calls before Dec 1st, perhaps??

The calls were pre Dec 27th

If you have calls on your invoice after the 1st Dec at 3p then you are lucky - I'm sure that the rest of us are paying 4p connection.
But if you are winning, good luck to you.
Cheers.

Yup, egri, 18866 are pulling a fast one.

Thay started off at a very attractive 2p a (UK) call.
This was increased to 3p a call  WITHOUT FORMAL NOTIFICATION to punters.
As you say, it has now gone up to 4p a (UK) call, again, WITHOUT FORMAL NOTIFICATION to punters.

Thay have shot themselves in the foot.  18866 is now used from here for continental calls only and they have taught us to keep a beady eye on their charges :exclamation :exclamation

18185 are offering better rates to a number of Intl Destinations. (Half a p a min) 4p connection

Am grateful to you bigjohn for the tip.  Will look into it.

Tried to register with 1899 earlier today, only to be told they currently have insufficient capacity.  It would have been helpful if they had told punters this BEFORE going through the registration rigmarole. :exclamation

PS
Have now registered with 18185 and await their response.  Surprisingly, the registration procedure/form was IDENTICAL to that completed earlier today with 1899.  Does that tell us anything :-?

rydaway wrote on Jan 2^nd, 2006 at 2:09pm:

Am grateful to you bigjohn for the tip.  Will look into it. Tried to register with 1899 earlier today, only to be told they currently have insufficient capacity.  It would have been helpful if they had told punters this BEFORE going through the registration rigmarole. :exclamation

Try registering with a mobile number, then when registered, go back and add your landline number, this usually works.

" 1899 at capacity" ??
What's the betting that very shortly it will be increasing the connection charge!!
Also 1899 only accept credit card authority, unlike 18866 who will do 'direct debit' (the safer option, IMHO).
I prefer to pay the extra for that peace of mind alone.

Tks for the tip, derrik.

Believe it or not, don't (= won't) have a mobile !!

Use Tiscalli broadband/Smart Talk arrangement for unlimited (up to 60 minute per call) any time UK calls.  The calls cost £4.00/month over and above the broadband charge.  Just registerd with 18185 for overseas calls.

Many tks to all who have helped.  It is much appreciated.

I just discovered the increase to a 4p connection charge with 18866 when I received a bill today.  As usual, I've had no other notification.

Oh well, I thought, it's been a good year with cheap calls from 18866, but the time has come to cancel and move on.

A little research showed that 1899 was now the best place to go for, so I applied.

BUT:  Guess what - they refused my registration request with the following message:
"Unfortunately your 1899 internet registration has failed.  Due to lack of capacity it is currently not possible to register. Please wait at least 6 weeks before attempting to register again. Our apologies for the inconvenience.
Kind regards,
1899 Customer Services "

It seems that many people are trying to switch.  A less generous interpretation would be that, since
1899 and 18866 are run by the same company (according to something I saw on this site) they have decided to stop people switching.

Oh well - back to the drawing board.    Brendan.

Try registering with a mobile number, then go back and add your landline, I believe this is a common problem and this route usually sorts it.

Yes - registering a mobile worked - thanks Derrick.

I wonder how long we have until 1899 raises charges as well?

Brendan.

Received my 18866 bill today, despite the fact I've been using 1899 since before Christmas.

Furthermore, it says that the connection fee is now 3p  :o  but the website still says 4p  ::)


Quote:

Dear Customer, Please find attached your 18866 invoice and call specification. This invoice will automatically be debited on or immediately after 09-02-2006. Collections will be shown on your statement as Connect Telecom UK xxxxxxxxx. Total (excl. VAT) VAT (17.5%) Grand Total (incl. VAT) As you can see you have saved a great deal on your telephone costs again, enough reason to dial 18866 before every call you make. Please note that 18866 calls are subject to a 3p connection fee. A 5 minute call to a destination charged at 1p per minute will therefore cost 3p connection + 5p call charges = 8p. Our up to date low tariffs can be viewed on our website www.call18866.co.uk. Kind regards, Darren Thomas Customer Services www.call18866.co.uk

I guess they just didn't put the correct company, i.e. 1899, on the email?  

They have just "forgotten" to change the text on the email from 3p to 4p. Check the itemisation and I'll bet you find you've been charged 4p a call.

sirp2000 wrote on Feb 1^st, 2006 at 1:12pm:

They have just "forgotten" to change the text on the email from 3p to 4p. Check the itemisation and I'll bet you find you've been charged 4p a call.

Yep you're right. ;)  Should have noticed this myself but had very little time for the last few months due to projects, presentations etc.  :'(