I've recently installed SKYPE on my computer system.
Now, when I ask for an alternative number from your wonderful, money-saving site, the SKYPE system over-rides all the numbers with its system.
Is there a remedy that I can take on your site, or must it be done (??) on the SKYPE set-up?
Which ever it is, can some kind person point me in the right direction>

Thank you.

Gerry

~ Edited by Dave: Thread title amended

I presume you are referring to their "Skype add-on for IE/Firefox", where it displays a box and lets you click into Skype to dial the number? I believe you can uninstall this from the Add/Remove Programs applet in Control Panel. Not entirely sure what it is called, but will be something relating to Skype.

Thanks, jgxenite, this problem is now history! :D

Hi jerry, I too have the same problem, could you kindly let me know how you solved it? many thanks

Can anyone please tell me exactly how to get rid of the skype override of the tel numbers on this site? I have been using this site and skype happily on my old pc without any problems, but when I got my new pc (with Vista) and downloaded the newer Skype version everytime I summon up a page of numbers from this site within a second skype has overwritten the number with a little box of their own that doesn't show the number anymore but their link to make the call...infuriating. >:(
I know someone else had this problem before, but there was no precise instruction "how to" posted on this forum. Many thanks. Mc

Maria,

As I mentioned before, you need to use Add/Remove Programs in Control Panel to remove the Skype add-on. I don't know the exact name as I don't have it installed, but look for all "Skype" entries and find the one relating to the add-on (not the main program obviously).

Hello Maria,
Yes I have fixed the problem, but it was with the help of my very-computer literate son.
I've had a look just now but am unable to remember.
As soon as I can get said son down to my place, I'll go through the remedy and then post it on this site.

TTFN

Gerry

many thanks...

I have solved the problem: internet explorer that comes with vista has a button in the toolbar at the top right of the page , with  a little skype logo on. By pressing that button one can turn on or off the add-on feature that changes the numbers.....very simple and handy.

I'm sorry appeara bit thick, but the Vista Home Premium OS that came with my new(ish) m/c has 'Windows Mail' as the default e-mail system, so this is why I cannot find the button on the toolbar that you refer to . . . .

TTFN

Thank you!  if you open skype and go to options -advanced you can turn off the features responsible.  I have now been able to access the numbers i required.   :D

Great stuff AfricanViolet, I think we're all fixed now, and any one else with the same problem, knows how to fix it! ;)

 >:( I HAVE WRITTEN TO THE ADMINISTRATOR ABOUT THE PROBLEM I HAVE OF THE PAGE FOR A COMANY'S ALTERNATIVE NUMBERS OPENING AND THEN THE NUMBERS VANISHING BEFORE I HAVE HAD TIME TO READ THEM. I AM TOLD IT IS PROBABLY A PROBLEM WITH MY COMPUTER. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS HAPPEN AND IF SO WHAT WAS THE SOLUTION.

~ Edited by Dave: Thread joined to existing one

Don't shout...bad form. >:(

Anyway, no problem on my computer reading the numbers.

Numbers usually disappear if they have found to be wrong. Perhaps you could tell us which numbers you have been having problems with, as your post really doesn't help us identify where the problem is lying.

Please stop shouting !!  >:( >:( >:(

Does this have anything to do with Sype, as described here?

Saxman wrote on Apr 7^th, 2008 at 7:28am:

>:( I HAVE WRITTEN TO THE ADMINISTRATOR ABOUT THE PROBLEM I HAVE OF THE PAGE FOR A COMANY'S ALTERNATIVE NUMBERS OPENING AND THEN THE NUMBERS VANISHING BEFORE I HAVE HAD TIME TO READ THEM. I AM TOLD IT IS PROBABLY A PROBLEM WITH MY COMPUTER. HAS ANYONE ELSE HAD THIS HAPPEN AND IF SO WHAT WAS THE SOLUTION.

Writing all in capitals is taken to be shouting as you are clearly very new to the internet or at least internet forums to have made this mistake.

It would have been kinder of my colleagues to have pointed this out.  As to your problem it indeed sounds like a computer issue.  Do you have a friend who knows about computers?

It appears this person hasn't been back since they first posted (not even to read our replies...)

Saxman wrote on Apr 7^th, 2008 at 7:28am:

I AM TOLD IT IS PROBABLY A PROBLEM WITH MY COMPUTER.

Doesn't this give a slight clue as to the reason this person may not have posted again !?  :-/

I think not as they clearly could use their computer overall but were having some kind of issue with the alternative numbers lookup page not appearing.

Using the forum ought to be a lot more difficult for someone computer challenged than looking up an alternative phone number.

Don't know about vanishing numbers but I've found that dialling the landlines given on this site for some of the 084 and 087 numbers result in a "misdialled number" response.  I am wondering if these 084 & 087 numbers are putting the block on anybody dialling to the alternative landline number - or have I just been unlucky?

If you have this problem you should try again adding the 141 prefix that withholds your CLI (Caller Display) number so they don't know you are calling from inside the UK.  Some of them try to avoid answering calls from the UK on their 01/02 numbers but will take them if they think they are from overseas.  Withholding the CLI means they have to give you the benefit of the doubt.

Also some nastier companies like Sky keep closing off the geographic numbers that are discovered to force you to call 0870 instead.  Companies that do this are in the minority but they are often some of the biggest call centres that most people in the UK are likely to deal with. :o >:(

Many thanks for that tip about the 141 prefix!  Regards, Phil

2 companies that have vanishing numbers are Standard Life and CoFunds.
Could it be an incompatibility with Vista perhaps as it does not happen on a lot of other numbers that we search, or an XP computer that we have on the network here. However why would it not appear with all the numbers on the same computer?
Any advice would be gratefully received! Thx. :)

Using winXP I tested Standard Life and got this response OK:

Standard Life    0845 6060002  0131 2252552    Ask for Life Policies
Also for 0845 6060001
Standard Life    0845 6060100  0131 2252552    Ask for General Enquiries
Standard Life    0845 6060012  0131 2461846    Stakeholder Pensions
Standard Life    0845 6060098  0131 2456367    Life, Pensions and Investments
Also for: 0845 6060390
Standard Life    0845 6060179  0131 2451373    ISAs, PEPs, Investments
Standard Life    0845 7555658  0131 2455555    Savings
Also for: 0845 7555657
Standard Life    0845 8458450  0131 2455556    
Standard Life  0870 6004848  0845 6023351  0161 4753000  0800 0285055  Healthcare - Stockport Office - Admin, Claims, etc.; 0800=Quotations
Standard Life    0845 7555662  0131 2450080    Business
Standard Life    0845 8458450  0131 2460005    Mortgages
Also for: 0845 8458451
Standard Life    0845 6012351  0141 2721575    Website Technical Enquiries
Standard Life    0845 6060007  0131 2452671    Annuity Queries
Standard Life  0870 6060466    01483 440550    Healthcare
Standard Life    0845 6060149  0131 2457490    Pensions
Standard Life    0845 6023500  01483 553500    Healthcare - Customer Care
Standard Life  0870 6004848    01483 553461    Healthcare
Standard Life    0845 6060008  0131 2457100    Executive Pensions Servicing
Standard Life    0845 6060035  0131 2252552    Ask for Endowment policies
Also for 0845 6060001
Standard Life    0845 6060013  0131 2252552    Ask for Pensions helpdesk
Standard Life    0845 6060004  0131 2452673    
Standard Life    0845 6060395  0131 2252552    Ask for Life policies
Standard Life    0845 6060012  0131 2461866    

There was also a long list of unverified landline numbers.  It is therefore a pc related problem in my guess/opinion.

Barclays Bank is why I raised my earlier query as each landline number I dialled resulted in a recorded message saying something about mis-dialled number, which I had definitely NOT mis-dialled.  

It's about time all this 0870 and 0845 scam stuff was stamped out entirely!

Thank you to quickfoxtango for his help. What I do not unerstand is why is it just these 2 companies (so far), whereas all the other searches are fine??
Any one else experienced this and if so what system were you using.

Is it that the numbers appear and then disappear?

Do you have Skype installed? If so, have you referred to the other thread I linked to above (in reply #3)?

Thanks to Dave for his advice re skype. I can only find the main Skype programme, no add-ons so I cannot find anything to get rid of there.
I've also gone into Skype Advanced and turned off everything there but the Standard Life numbers still vanish, albeit not as quickly. Very strange. i still seem to have problems which other peoples help is not solving. Very frustrating, but thanks everybody for your advice. :)

Thank you for all the help you have all given and i have uninstalled & re-installed Skype and all is now well!!
Thank you all so much!
Lyn

Turning off the Skype add-on function worked for me too. Have the Skype icon on my Windows XP toolbar - hidden but next to Tools if you click on >>.
Sorry not to have read the FAQs first!

Thanks for your help - will now update the numbers that no longer work and add the landline number I used for HMRC yesterday.