Hello,

I had Unauthorised Charges placed on my Credit Card By IdealWorld
I got them disputed by the CreditCard Company but they also want me to contact IdealWorld Shopping www.idealworld.tv which I did on their Customer Services E-mail based in India
I asked them about the charges they told me to ring the expensive 0870 Customer Services Telephone

THEY WILL NOT ANSWER their e-mails its completely deceptive.
Anyway I called http://www.phonepayplus.org.uk/ The Regulator who said quite categorically that 0870 and 0871 are NOT Premium Rate Calls in UK only the 0906 number are.


I have told Idealworld its too expensive for me to contact them on Premium rate Lines and to give me arrange a more acceptable way of contacting them.

Any one a solicitor here:) ? I have not read ALL their Terms and Conditions but is it Obligatory for me to contact them through the National Rate Premium Rate Lines?

I have been advised by Consumer Direct to send registered Letters to Andrew Fryatt Ideal World Shopping TV and a copy to my Credit Card Company.
Any advice appreciated.

Thanks,

Samantha

If you want to call them for the cost of a Geographical Call,why not use the search facility
http://www.saynoto0870.com/search.php, and your find their alternative georaphical numbers

Samantha wrote on Jun 20^th, 2008 at 11:41pm:

Any advice appreciated.

Samantha

I am not a lawyer but I can perhaps help on one point.

Under sections 120 - 124 of the Communications Act 2003, Ofcom has the power to regulate "Premium rate services". It is for Ofcom to determine, from time to time, how these are defined. Ofcom is currently proposing to add services delivered using 0871 numbers to this definition, but this has not yet come about. It has no plans at present to include 0870.

In practice Ofcom uses the powers under section 121 to effectively devolve its powers to a self-regulator - PhonePay Plus. This body prepares and administers a code of practice for its members.

As the rates for calling 084x and 087x numbers include a premium over that for calling other numbers, it is quite reasonable to describe these as being "premium rate" numbers.

The services provided do not however currently fall within the technical definition of "premium rate services". As the simple term "premium rate" has no formal definition, anyone can argue for as long as they like about whether or not it applies to any particular situation. It is however true to say that PhonePay Plus does not cover use of 0870 and does not yet cover 0871.


I have no qualification on which to base advice, but I would suggest the following.

If you think that you could get the situation resolved swiftly by calling IdealWorld and wish to do so, I would suggest calling them to see if you can get your money back. I would also suggest a letter of apology and an additional credit to cover the cost of the phone call (whatever that may be) and the inconvenience involved. If it is a genuine error, this might work.

If you think that you need to go through formal procedures then you will have to end up sending a letter anyway, so there is no point in ringing them.

I hope this helps, whilst acknowledging that others may advise you differently.

SilentCallsVictim wrote on Jun 21^st, 2008 at 2:56am:

Samantha I am not a lawyer but I can perhaps help on one point. Under sections 120 - 124 of the Communications Act 2003, Ofcom has the power to regulate "Premium rate services". It is for Ofcom to determine, from time to time, how these are defined. Ofcom is currently proposing to add services delivered using 0871 numbers to this definition, but this has not yet come about. It has no plans at present to include 0870. In practice Ofcom uses the powers under section 121 to effectively devolve its powers to a self-regulator - PhonePay Plus. This body prepares and administers a code of practice for its members. As the rates for calling 084x and 087x numbers include a premium over that for calling other numbers, it is quite reasonable to describe these as being "premium rate" numbers. The services provided do not however currently fall within the technical definition of "premium rate services". As the simple term "premium rate" has no formal definition, anyone can argue for as long as they like about whether or not it applies to any particular situation. It is however true to say that PhonePay Plus does not cover use of 0870 and does not yet cover 0871. I have no qualification on which to base advice, but I would suggest the following. If you think that you could get the situation resolved swiftly by calling IdealWorld and wish to do so, I would suggest calling them to see if you can get your money back. I would also suggest a letter of apology and an additional credit to cover the cost of the phone call (whatever that may be) and the inconvenience involved. If it is a genuine error, this might work. If you think that you need to go through formal procedures then you will have to end up sending a letter anyway, so there is no point in ringing them. I hope this helps, whilst acknowledging that others may advise you differently.

SilentCallsVictim I really appreciate you answering my question in relation to IdealWorld Shopping Direct I think if I was to go for the option of calling their Customer Services in India I would get absolutely no satisfaction just a lot of Scripts of no substance plus a big phone bill too :)
IdealWorld Shopping are a ruthless company who want to extract every last penny out of you. Its amazing their Call Centre & e-mail processing in India are so bad.Actually the CEO of Idealworld Shopping Andrew Fryatt said that their Customer Services was to be transferred back to the UK in Autumn 2008.

Consumer Direct"Trading Standards" said I should put everything in writting by registered and NOT use e-mail as so many companies deny receiving it,to Andrew Fryatt CEO of IdealWorld,and send a copy registered post to my Credit Card Company.


As for Idealworlds Shopping TV Terms & Conditions CAN they stipulate ALL Customer Service communications must be through their Expensive National Rate Lines and Exclude written Communication by Postal registered mail.?

Thanks,

Samantha

~ Edited by Dave: Quote box added

oldharryrocks wrote on Jun 21^st, 2008 at 2:25am:

If you want to call them for the cost of a Geographical Call,why not use the search facility http://www.saynoto0870.com/search.php, and your find their alternative georaphical numbers

>>>>>
Thanks for your reply Oldharryrocks,
I have had dealings with them previously on these lines to be honest their service was dismal plus now with my credit card disputes been involved they want everything in writing. so recorded letter to the CEO Andrew Fryatt the people who are supposely paid to care is the only way to go.
MasterCard The Consumer Credit Act 1974 etc

Regards,

Samantha