hankypanky wrote on Feb 13
th, 2014 at 4:53pm:
Being a bit slow here but why would a retailer like RS want to make customers pay premium rate when telephoning them? Sounds like a great reason not to call! My local independant audio shop has a geographic phone number and long may it last !
Two reasons spring to mind:
1. Because it can get away with it, up to now. The new law (The Consumer Contracts (Information, Cancellation and Additional Payments) Regulations 2013), which has come about as a result of the
Consumer Rights Directive, says no to premium numbers for customer service lines.
2. Because they don't have appreciated for the fact that there is a premium involved, which is to become known as the Service Charge. As an example,
RS says, at the bottom of its pages "For general enquiries: 08457 201201 (standard rate line)".