JoeCurry wrote on Apr 25
th, 2010 at 8:22am:
SilentCallsVictim wrote on Apr 25
th, 2010 at 12:04am:
There is no point in saying that it always costs more to call revenue sharing numbers when that is untrue .
So untrue we have this webpage to help folk avoid them:
The database of alternatives is here because the statement that "it costs more than 01/02/03" is always true for 0871/2/3, almost always true for 0844/3, commonly true for 0870, generally true for 0845 and often true for 080.
The list of exceptions is different for each type. In the case of 0844/3, 0845 and 080 calls, these sometimes cost less than 01/02/03. In the case of 0870, 0845 and 080 calls, these sometimes cost the same as 01/02/03. That is sadly the difficult and potentially confusing truth of the situation in which we choose to campaign.
The forum is here in part for those who are campaigning against inappropriate and improper use of any of these numbers to share information and discuss the issues. When engaged in discussion or when responding to complaints, users of these numbers may offer true facts as justification. I see it as vital to present an argument or complaint that cannot be dismissed in this way. I believe that when campaigning, one should not risk losing an argument through overstating an otherwise valid case. I also believe that it is helpful to understand any factually correct, but inadequate, justification that may be offered.
It is for each of us to judge how far the fact that it does not always cost more to call revenue sharing numbers affects our efforts and approach. I focus my efforts more strongly on 0844/3 than 0845, where both are used, but that does not in any way diminish the efforts that I put into campaigning against 0845.
I believe that the vast majority of public sector bodies should move immediately from 084 to 0300 or 034 (or perhaps geographic) numbers. I accept that this may (at least for the moment) cause some callers to pay more as well as possibly increasing the cost to taxpayers of running the service. I do not shout about these disadvantages of the move, however I do not try to pretend that they do not exist.
Some may feel that it is good and fair tactics to counter one lie with another - I do not.