As a Newbee I just wanted to say how pleased I was to find a forum related to the 0845/7etc, scam! I was about to start a BLOG I'd have called The 0845 Rebellion - but thanks to you guys there is no need! So, WE all know that we so often pay handsomely to listen to the worst music on the planet whilst wondering how long it will be before that (lack of) customer 'service' operator gets back, but it amazes me how many folks I talk to that have no idea at all. "Oh! No!" they say, "These are GOOD companies allowing us to make long distance calls at local rates!" - NO!!!

I'm sick and tired of companies PROFITING from my need to call in a complaint - The longer they take to resolve the problem the more money it costs ME and the more profit THEY make!! MAD - but very clever.

These days when I have no choice (which is more and more often) but to ring one of these numbers, I tell them I visit the USA a lot where I can't use this number for contact back into the UK so do they have an international number I can use. It usually gets me what I want, but not always.

One good tip for your credit card provider is to look on the back of the card itself. It's usually there for contact while abroad - NO! - I use it every time.

So, other than promoting this site, how can I help get the message over that 0845/7etc ain't what it used to be and help stop putting money in the back pocket of millionaires like Richard Branson (Virgin)?.

All thoughts welcome.

John.

jdm-art wrote on Feb 6^th, 2009 at 2:20am:

As a Newbee I just wanted to say how pleased I was to find a forum related to the 0845/7etc, scam! I was about to start a BLOG I'd have called The 0845 Rebellion - but thanks to you guys there is no need!

Welcome to the forum jdm but I think you are probably about five years too late for starting uo your own blog as this website and forum started up five years ago and I think I have personally been campaigning against 084/087 and their predecessors for around 10 years.  Its great you have found your way here in the end though but what kept you away for so long. :-/

Have you perhaps only arrived in the UK in recent times or something?


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but it amazes me how many folks I talk to that have no idea at all. "Oh! No!" they say, "These are GOOD companies allowing us to make long distance calls at local rates!" - NO!!!

Unfortunately these are the great masses who always have the wool easily pulled over their eyes over most things if the establishment resolves to repeatedly tell them a great lie numerous times.


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These days when I have no choice (which is more and more often) but to ring one of these numbers

How come as I now find this site has so many of the alternative numbers that it is now very rare to ever have to call the original 084/7 number quoted by the company.  You do use the list of alternative numbers listed on this website I hope.


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where I can't use this number for contact back into the UK so do they have an international number I can use. It usually gets me what I want, but not always. One good tip for your credit card provider is to look on the back of the card itself. It's usually there for contact while abroad

Yes this is of course one of the main sources of the alternative 01/02 numbers listed by this website. ;)


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So, other than promoting this site, how can I help get the message over that 0845/7etc ain't what it used to be and help stop putting money in the back pocket of millionaires like Richard Branson (Virgin)?.

By writing to your MP to indicate your opposition to the use of these numbers and by writing to the Minister (don't bother with customer services) of any government departments that use them or who interact with a particular government agency that misuses them.  You could also try writing to your local newspaper when you find local examples of these numbers used by local organisations and businesses setting out why you don't use them and always consult this website for an alternative.

You could also respond to the current consultation on the use of 0844 numbers by some doctors surgeries mentioned on the home page of this website

Once again welcome to the forum jdm.