I just phoned the Triton Shower people but before being connected got the message that their number was soon to change to the ubiquitous 0870.... and that these calls would be charged at the National Rate! Am I right in think from various posts I have read that they are in fact breaking the law in some way as they are misrepresenting the facts. I want to get in touch with them to point this out to them but want to get my facts straight. Can someone help me out here in draftin an appropriate note to the CEO.

~ Edit by Dave: Thread title amended

You'll have to make adjustments for your particular case but the following is what I saw either here or elsewhere:
Quote:

Your Contact Number There has been a lot of newspaper and TV coverage lately about companies such as yours using telephone numbers beginning 084x/087x. In most cases a company using such numbers earns revenue from each minute that its customers are on the phone. These numbers are commonly advertised as being 'local' or 'national' rate and Ofcom, the ASA (Advertising Standards Authority) and Trading Standards have agreed that describing any number beginning 084x/087x as such is misleading.  The reason is that the cost of the calling these numbers varies and in most cases costs more than calling a normal geographical number (i.e. those beginning 01 or 02).  In fact, it can cost anywhere up to 40p/min (on some mobile networks) to ring these numbers. The newspaper articles about the use of these numbers are available in the following links:- http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5405620.stm http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-2389087,00.html http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/news/news.html?in_article_id=4086 60&in_page_id=1770 http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2005300000-2006460369,,00.html and a BBC news video: http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediaselector/check/nolavconsole/ukfs_news/hi?redirect=st.s tm&news=1&bbram=1&bbwm=1&nbram=1&nbwm=1&nol_storyid=5410232 As you will have realised by now, this email is a complaint about your number, (insert their number(s)), and the fact that you are imposing additional costs as mentioned in the above newspaper/TV articles on me and not publishing standard geographical numbers instead (or at least with equal prominence). Due to continued use of these numbers and the public's perception (in most cases, justified) that unnecessarily keeping callers on the line is now standard procedure because it results in substantial additional income, Ofcom has announced that a new number range beginning 03x should be available from January/February 2007. This new number range will offer the same facilities/network features like IVR (Interactive Voice Response), Intelligent Call Routings, etc that are available now on 084x/087x numbers EXCEPT these new numbers will not cost consumers any more than a normal geographical call.  In fact, unlike 084x/087x numbers, calling the new 03x numbers will be included in many inclusive call plans. I look forward to receiving your confirmation that you will be switching to use of 03 numbers as soon as they are available.

Thanks ,I have now faxed and emailed the CEO and will keep you posted.