trickyd
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Manchester
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Unlike the English and Welsh YHA, the Scottish Youth Hostels Association does not publicise alternative geographical numbers for its hostels in its handbook or on its website. I enquired why not....
Thank you for your feedback below, which I have answered as honestly as possible –
1. Don't you know that these generally don't work for people calling from abroad?
Answer: Full testing was carried out in conjunction with our telecoms provider to ensure that the 0870 numbers work from abroad. Whilst initially experiencing the problems which you suggest, these were quickly resolved and we have no issues with overseas communication.
2. Point 2: These numbers are a rip-off and are especially expensive when people are using mobiles- as will often be the case with people on the move but not booked in advance who wish to book ahead. The policy of using 0870 numbers is at odds with a policy of helping young people with limited means- even such people have mobile phones, of course, but usually pay as you go, where prices to call 0870 are very much more than the misleading "national rate" from landlines (which is actually anything between two and a half times and 20 times the actual rate for a geographical call, depending on time of day).
Answer: This is a fair point and one which I am slightly uneasy about myself. We currently have a fixed term contract with our telecoms provider and will be reviewing this policy at that point. As a not for profit organization, we do not charge admin or booking fees and we encourage customers to book online or at another hostel. We are fully committed to helping young people with limited means, and overall I would say we are doing a decent job in keeping 20 or so non-commercially viable hostels open for this very reason.
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Scottish YHA (Read 8,267 times)
