I emailed Manchester Trading Standards a few weeks ago. This is what I sent them:
Quote:I am writing to you regarding Micro Direct Ltd's description of its 0870 telephone numbers.
If you look at the contact page (
http://www.microdirect.co.uk/Contact.aspx) click "Customer Service" (bottom right) the email address pops up, click "Customer Service" below the email address and the telephone number is revealed.
Below the number is the statement "The above number is charged at National rates NOT at Premium." This is clearly misleading, as it implies that calls to 0870 cost the same as a geographical number, which they do not on the vast majority of calling packages including BT Together.
On this subject, I would like to draw your attention to Leicester City Council's response (
http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consult/condocs/213630/responses/leicester_cc.pdf) to Ofcom's consultation "0845 and 0870 numbers: Review of retail price and numbering arrangements" published 26/09/03, it states in paragraph 1.3:
"...we reached the conclusion that any price indication given to consumers, which suggested that an 0845 call would be priced in line with a local call or that an 0870 call would be priced in line with a national call, was misleading within the meaning of Part III of the Consumer Protection Act 1987. Any person giving such price indications, or giving advice that such price indications may be used, is in our view guilty of a criminal offence under that legislation. Such persons could include NTS Service Providers, Terminating Operators and OFTEL themselves."
And this is the reply I received.
Quote:RE: Micro Direct Website
I am writing regarding your complaint about the description of 0870 telephone numbers on the Micro Direct website.
I have looked at the facts and have been in touch with Leicester City Council Trading Standards to query their response to the consultation, which you referred to in your complaint.
Leicester Trading Standards have said that they no longer agree with the opinion as it was given some time ago and circumstances have changed since then.
There are a number of telephone service providers competing with British Telecom, all with varying national and local rates and in view of the wide variation, we believe it would be difficult to allege a Misleading Price indication under The Consumer Protection 1987.
However, we will continue to collect information relating to the differing local and national rates and will contact you in the future to report on our findings if we feel it necessary.
Thank you for bringing the matter to our attention. If you require any further assistance, please contact me on the above telephone number.
Very disappointed. I can't work out whether they have been sucked in by the confusion themselves and think that 0870 is the same as a national call.