SAYNOTO0870.COM - Sneaky National Rail Enquiries

Olly

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Sneaky National Rail Enquiries
May 20^th, 2005 at 6:23pm

Hola

It seems National Rail Enquiries have cottoned on to the fact people are circumventing their 0845 number.

When ringing the London number, the system detects you're calling from the UK and you just get a depressed-sounding woman advising you of the "proper" number.

It sucks, however it seems that the 0191 number still works. For now!

Olly

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lompos

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Re: Sneaky National Rail Enquiries
Reply #1 - May 20^th, 2005 at 7:45pm

Suggest you try:

a)
if using BT putting 141 before the geographical number;

b)
using a service provider other than BT.

it is likely that with a) or b) the called party cannot automatically detect the origin of the call.

You did not make clear if the depressed sounding woman was real or just a tape recording.

If you were talking to a real person I suggest you to tell a fib by saying that you are calling from abroad. It is all in a good cause!!!!!

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bigjohn

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Re: Sneaky National Rail Enquiries
Reply #2 - May 21^st, 2005 at 5:51am

They appear to have a bit of kit on the 0207 2785240 number that detects if the call originates from the uk ,whether or not you dial 141,or use an alternative carrier 18866 in my case.Then it diverts you to the boring ladies recording.

However not to be put off by them i found a way round it.
Call it from your mobile as follows +44207 2785240 and it thinks you are phoning from abroad and puts you through to a live operator.. Better still ring the other alternative no.

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« Last Edit: May 21^st, 2005 at 5:54am by bigjohn »

BJ.

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DSA

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Re: Sneaky National Rail Enquiries
Reply #3 - May 21^st, 2005 at 12:09pm

No, as far as I can see (and I just checked it), a lady comes on advising of an automated service via 0871, but if you wish to speak to a real person just hold. After about 30s you get put through.

It is the same as is on the 0845 number, as I had to call it last week (not knowing about the geographic one!).

Best Wishes,
David

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bigjohn

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Re: Sneaky National Rail Enquiries
Reply #4 - May 21^st, 2005 at 12:49pm

David. Welcome to the site.
I live i Hants and when i ring the London Geographical No, it most definitely gives me the recorded announcement that it is only for overseas callers,then it gives me the 0845 number,then it cuts me straight off!!!Was you definitely ringing 0207 2785240? I ask because you talk about an 0871 number?

If we are calling the same no, this is probaly occuring due to the fact that they have several call centres answering there traffic, and the one that Lompos and i are hitting does not give us the opportunity of waiting,and yours does.

I get straight through on the 0191 no.

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« Last Edit: May 21^st, 2005 at 2:25pm by bigjohn »

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bbb_uk

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Re: Sneaky National Rail Enquiries
Reply #5 - May 21^st, 2005 at 2:10pm

I too also get told this number (0207 2785240) is for international calls as well and don't get an option to hold or speak to anyone else!

However, ringing the 0191 218 8004 is ok. I live in Liverpool!

UPDATE: Ringing from my o2 mobile (with or without the international dialling code +44), I can get through to the 0207 number without any problems. Just when ringing from our landline!! My number was withheld at all times whether from mobile or landline.

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« Last Edit: May 21^st, 2005 at 2:17pm by bbb_uk »

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bigjohn Supreme Member Offline Posts: 2,316 Gender:	Re: Sneaky National Rail Enquiries Reply #6 - May 21^st, 2005 at 2:36pm Thanks i am glad i wasnt imagining things!!!
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DSA Newbie Offline Posts: 2	Re: Sneaky National Rail Enquiries Reply #7 - May 21^st, 2005 at 3:17pm Ah now that would explain it, as I was ringing from my 3 mobile. Seems to be a problem from landlines. It seems like the alternative number needs to be used from landlines then. Anyhow I have changed the number in my phonebook to the free one! I wonder how many more I can find.... Best Wishes, David
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bigjohn Supreme Member Offline Posts: 2,316 Gender:	Re: Sneaky National Rail Enquiries Reply #8 - May 21^st, 2005 at 4:12pm Calls from mobiles are probaly routed to the Northern Call Centre. Happy Hunting!!!
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lompos Supreme Member Offline Posts: 791	Re: Sneaky National Rail Enquiries Reply #9 - May 21^st, 2005 at 8:17pm from London: the 0191 218 5004 number does work - a live agent answers the 0207 278 5240 number does not work - a recorded message advises to call the 0845 number
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bill Full Member Offline Posts: 193	Re: Sneaky National Rail Enquiries Reply #10 - May 21^st, 2005 at 10:04pm Quote: [u]the 0191 218 5004 number does work - a live agent answers Good grief. Don't you just love their terminology! What are they involved in - some sort of espionage?
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andy9 Supreme Member Offline Posts: 505	Re: Sneaky National Rail Enquiries Reply #11 - May 22^nd, 2005 at 5:24pm I get exactly as DSA describes - the announcement of 08712004950 number for automated info , then hold to speak to someone. I was ringing from Orange.
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lompos

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Re: Sneaky National Rail Enquiries
Reply #12 - May 22^nd, 2005 at 6:32pm

Hello Bill

Here are all the definitions for agent (Chambers Dictionary):

person or thing that acts or exerts power;

any natural force acting on matter;

one authorised or delegated to transact business for another;

formerly a bank manager;

formerly the representative of the government in a group of Indian states;

a paid political party worker;

a secret agent, spy

You see, the chap in National Rail Enquiries does not have to be James Bond ......

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Heinz

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Re: Sneaky National Rail Enquiries
Reply #13 - May 22^nd, 2005 at 6:37pm

Quote:

Hello Bill

Here are all the definitions for agent (Chambers Dictionary):

person or thing that acts or exerts power;

any natural force acting on matter;

one authorised or delegated to transact business for another;

formerly a bank manager;

formerly the representative of the government in a group of Indian states;

a paid political party worker;

a secret agent, spy

You see, the chap in National Rail Enquiries does not have to be James Bond ......

He he.

Presumably, they think the first one applies in this case!

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After years of ignoring govt. guidelines & RIPPING OFF Council Tax payers using 0845 numbers, Essex County Council changed to 0345 numbers on 2 November 2015

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nanstallon Newbie Offline Posts: 23 Falmouth Gender:	Re: Sneaky National Rail Enquiries Reply #14 - Apr 30^th, 2006 at 5:14pm Isn't it amazing? Rip off numbers are so important to these organisations that they go to the trouble of installing detection equipment to 'catch' people who try to avoid the rip off. As if the consumer is in the wrong for daring to try to evade this 'tax'! John
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