I confess to not being a regular viewer of this channel (and who would be) and so I can't be sure that I'm right but I feel pretty sure the last time I saw Thomas Cook Tv a few months back they were using an 0870 number like Sky Travel Shop and wrongly described as National Rate.

Imagine my surprise therefore when coming across Thomas Cook Tv being broadcast on new Sky Ch 139 (Life Showcase) to see an 0800 number prominently displayed as the number to call to book all Thomas Cook holidays advertised. [smiley=tekst-toppie.gif]

So it seems that the penny may slowly be dropping with some of these outfits that using 0870 for a number you actually want people to call to sell something is just completely idiotic and self defeating.  How long I wonder before Sky Travel Shop has to follow suit as Thomas Cook Tv must surely be one of its main competitors.

Unfortunately I see quite a few 0870 numbers are still listed on the main www.thomascook.com website. :(

NGMsGhost wrote on Jan 6^th, 2007 at 4:34pm:

I confess to not being a regular viewer of this channel (and who would be) and so I can't be sure that I'm right but I feel pretty sure the last time I saw Thomas Cook Tv a few months back they were using an 0870 number like Sky Travel Shop

Although I'm not certain neither I doubt they were using 0800 before as very, very few actually do.  It's mostly 087x as we all know.


Quote:

So it seems that the penny may slowly be dropping with some of these outfits that using 0870 for a number you actually want people to call to sell something is just completely idiotic and self defeating.

It's only slowly dropping because of the press stories of 084x/087x numbers and how companies are making money from them.  I believe this was probably the major factor in not using an 0870 number.


Quote:

How long I wonder before Sky Travel Shop has to follow suit as Thomas Cook Tv must surely be one of its main competitors

Well Sky are just serial users of these numbers and don't appear concerned at all despite complaints from their customers.  They have too much power (so-to-speak) so are in no hurry to change numbers.

And what of the fine sounding sentiments of Mr Ed Richards, new CEO of Ofcom, that Ofcom is bringing keener and keener prices to consumers.

I wonder if this Ofcom International Conference is being shown again on Information Tv - Ch 181.  If it is you really must try and record it and watch it and observe the quite incredible gulf between the claims being made by Ed Richards about what his organisation is up to on the consumer's behalf and the actual reality! ::) :o :'(

Thomas Cook TV may well be leading the way but Thomas Cook branches have changed to "local rate" or "lo-call rate" 0845 numbers (sic). Some of the ones I've called to find and verify alternative numbers have recordings. The recordings are by different people but mention the same words "local rate" or "lo-call rate" when redirecting calls to 0845.