Flybe by-pass??

I've just used the alternative number 01392-268518 to the preposterous £1 a minute 0906-999 9999 Flybe number to ask about the latest Flybe baggage allowance. An operator answered and said that calls were being charged at £1 a minute. Is there any system available to businesses which enables them automatically to transfer geographic numbers to 0906, 0871 and the rest of the exploitative numeracy and charge folks the 0906 etc rate?

If so, it's clearly unethical. Is it actually legal?

Eric Evans  

If you dialled the '01' number, you would not be charged £1 a minute but the normal rate, despite what the operater says.

ericevans wrote on Mar 18^th, 2010 at 3:39pm:

I've just used the alternative number 01392-268518 to the preposterous £1 a minute 0906-999 9999 Flybe number to ask about the latest Flybe baggage allowance. An operator answered and said that calls were being charged at £1 a minute. Is there any system available to businesses which enables them automatically to transfer geographic numbers to 0906, 0871 and the rest of the exploitative numeracy and charge folks the 0906 etc rate?

You will be billed as per a 01/02 (geographic) call as that's what you dialled. The reason you were told the call price that relates to the 090 number is because customers call the 090 number and it puts calls through to the 01392 number you dialled.

Hence, the message being on the 01392 number serves as strong evidence that you reached the same place (person) that you would have got to had you called the 090 number (albeit without the cost!).

Just a QUICK additional reply... Flybe have the 01 numbers listed here they are ALL Geographic Numbers listed as alternatives.

I hope this helps.

and well done to Flybe for actually putting them up there..