(PENDING)Phonesafe, Beware!!!!!

[R60EST]

eybic said:

As per our previous posts on this matter PhoneSafe is a free service for sellers to keep their own numbers private and help eliminate annoying canvassers, which are blocked.

The charges are explained by clicking the PhoneSafe logo but we are going to add an additional explanation text link next to the logo following the comments raised in this thread.

Thanks to ALXJ for raising the issue. We have shown our appreciation by processing a refund for the two exceptional length mobile calls he made to a seller. For reference the average call is 2 minutes so the cost is reasonable.

We are committed to easier and safer buying and selling for PHers. We think PhoneSafe is a good service. As a potential buyer if you do not wish to call the number, then you can of course us the email contact seller form to email direct.

For your information our PhoneSafe is powered by GCIComm.

Nathan

In other words

We'll keep things as they are as we rake in thousands from it and hope this thread eventually gets burried in the archives again

[ALXJ]

eybic said:

As per our previous posts on this matter PhoneSafe is a free service for sellers to keep their own numbers private and help eliminate annoying canvassers, which are blocked.

The charges are explained by clicking the PhoneSafe logo but we are going to add an additional explanation text link next to the logo following the comments raised in this thread.

Thanks to ALXJ for raising the issue. We have shown our appreciation by processing a refund for the two exceptional length mobile calls he made to a seller. For reference the average call is 2 minutes so the cost is reasonable.

We are committed to easier and safer buying and selling for PHers. We think PhoneSafe is a good service. As a potential buyer if you do not wish to call the number, then you can of course us the email contact seller form to email direct.

For your information our PhoneSafe is powered by GCIComm.

Nathan

Just to make you aware as yet I have not received the refund, so look forward to that soon

I agree the phonesafe number could be helpful for those not wishing to use their own number

But are you going to make it clearer to customers that they are calling a premium rate number ?

[eybic]

R60EST said:

eybic said:

As per our previous posts on this matter PhoneSafe is a free service for sellers to keep their own numbers private and help eliminate annoying canvassers, which are blocked.

The charges are explained by clicking the PhoneSafe logo but we are going to add an additional explanation text link next to the logo following the comments raised in this thread.

Thanks to ALXJ for raising the issue. We have shown our appreciation by processing a refund for the two exceptional length mobile calls he made to a seller. For reference the average call is 2 minutes so the cost is reasonable.

We are committed to easier and safer buying and selling for PHers. We think PhoneSafe is a good service. As a potential buyer if you do not wish to call the number, then you can of course us the email contact seller form to email direct.

For your information our PhoneSafe is powered by GCIComm.

Nathan

In other words

We'll keep things as they are as we rake in thousands from it and hope this thread eventually gets burried in the archives again

Please re read my comments above, I clearly state that we will be adding an explanation next to the phonesafe logo so no, we won't keep things as they are.

Thank you

[rpguk]

LordGrover said:

Different issue, but forced consumer refunds and £100,000 fine - click. PhonepayPlus don't **** about.

I dealt with them in their previous incarnation ICSTIS. They certainly had teeth and I was very impressed with them.

The problem they have is that as people are generally only scammed by a few quid here or there they just don't get to know about most of these scams as people put it down to experience.

I can imagine that Haymarket are a bit concerned seeing the post above about 070 calls over 10ppm being eligible for their notice. I wasn't aware about that myself so good to know. No wonder the OP has been offered a refund!

I suspect there are quite a few people on PH who are eligible for similar refunds now. Now that they seem to be acknowledged the issue after 5 years perhaps they can do this automatically via their records as per the L***s competition or post a sticky?

Edited by rpguk on Tuesday 25th March 17:12

[ALXJ]

eybic said:

Please re read my comments above, I clearly state that we will be adding an explanation next to the phonesafe logo so no, we won't keep things as they are.

Thank you

Thats great, thank you

[10 Pence Short]

rpguk said:

as per the L***s competition or post a sticky?

Tuttity fking tut, but ROFL for you with that one!

[MrMagoo]

So it's only taken nearly 5 years to sort out. How many people have been ripped off by this?

Sounds to me Haymarket were more then happy to run with the scam until more people brought it to their attention

[ali_kat]

Eybic

Does Pistonheads make any income on the PhoneSafe number, or does all the Revenue generated go to GCICom?

[iwantagta]

ali_kat said:

Eybic

Does Pistonheads make any income on the PhoneSafe number, or does all the Revenue generated go to GCICom?

From GCICom website;
– Non Geographic Numbers – GCI can also supply non-geographic numbers from an extensive selection of 09xx, 087x, 084x, 07x numbers along with competitive revenue sharing arrangements with service and solution providers.

Pretty obvious really but would be nice for someone to come out and clearly state yay or nay, no-one is asking to know the value but the fact its being protected suggests its a nice little earner.

In my view the simple test of is this a dishonest practice is by asking the question:
Pistonheads staff- Do you honestly believe that 99% of the people calling the phonesafe numbers understand the charges they will be paying?

[Podie]

iwantagta said:

Pistonheads staff- Do you honestly believe that 99% of the people calling the phonesafe numbers understand the charges they will be paying?

Not PH staff, but I certainly question any number before dialling it. Got stung with cross network charges once (mentioned in the depths of this thread I seem to recall) and check numbers before dialling. Much like I don't blindly click on links from in random emails...

[ali_kat]

iwantagta said:

From GCICom website;
– Non Geographic Numbers – GCI can also supply non-geographic numbers from an extensive selection of 09xx, 087x, 084x, 07x numbers along with competitive revenue sharing arrangements with service and solution providers.

Pretty obvious really but would be nice for someone to come out and clearly state yay or nay, no-one is asking to know the value but the fact its being protected suggests its a nice little earner.

That's exactly why I asked. I choose not to assume it would be the case (although I fear it is by the way the subject has been avoided)

[10 Pence Short]

It would be silly to assume PH is anything but a profit making exercise for Haymarket. The only beef I have is that people ringing PhoneSafe numbers are being charged premium rate numbers without being properly warned about it.

[ali_kat]

10 Pence Short said:

It would be silly to assume PH is anything but a profit making exercise for Haymarket. The only beef I have is that people ringing PhoneSafe numbers are being charged premium rate numbers without being properly warned about it.

Maybe I am silly enough to assume that

But I'm sure as hell not so silly as to assume a PhoneSafe number won't be expensive

And if it is blindingly obvious to a blonde female, wtf excuse have you lot got?

[rscott]

rpguk said:

LordGrover said:

Different issue, but forced consumer refunds and £100,000 fine - click. PhonepayPlus don't **** about.

I dealt with them in their previous incarnation ICSTIS. They certainly had teeth and I was very impressed with them.

The problem they have is that as people are generally only scammed by a few quid here or there they just don't get to know about most of these scams as people put it down to experience.

I can imagine that Haymarket are a bit concerned seeing the post above about 070 calls over 10ppm being eligible for their notice. I wasn't aware about that myself so good to know. No wonder the OP has been offered a refund!

I suspect there are quite a few people on PH who are eligible for similar refunds now. Now that they seem to be acknowledged the issue after 5 years perhaps they can do this automatically via their records as per the L***s competition or post a sticky?

Edited by rpguk on Tuesday 25th March 17:12

Don't the phonepayplus regs say they only deal with complaints where the number I'd being misused AND calls cost over 10p per minute. I don't think both elements of that are satisfied in this case.

[Terminator X]

ali_kat said:

10 Pence Short said:

It would be silly to assume PH is anything but a profit making exercise for Haymarket. The only beef I have is that people ringing PhoneSafe numbers are being charged premium rate numbers without being properly warned about it.

Maybe I am silly enough to assume that

But I'm sure as hell not so silly as to assume a PhoneSafe number won't be expensive

And if it is blindingly obvious to a blonde female, wtf excuse have you lot got?

They're just embarrassed at getting caught out

TX.

[ali_kat]

Well yes

But to publicly humiliate themselves along with it?

[eybic]

ali_kat said:

Eybic

Does Pistonheads make any income on the PhoneSafe number, or does all the Revenue generated go to GCICom?

PH makes a few hundred quid a month from this so it's certainly not a big revenue stream or money making scam.

[ali_kat]

eybic said:

ali_kat said:

Eybic

Does Pistonheads make any income on the PhoneSafe number, or does all the Revenue generated go to GCICom?

PH makes a few hundred quid a month from this so it's certainly not a big revenue stream or money making scam.

But you DO profit from it & have done so for 5 years since the first forum complaint.

It might not be seen like that to you, but from the users POV it is

I'm going to continue this privately - thank you for your honesty

Edited by ali_kat on Tuesday 25th March 20:30

[Vaud]

ali_kat said:

But you DO profit from it & have done so for 5 years since the first forum complaint.

It might not be seen like that to you, but from the users POV it is

Why is that an issue? Surely the cost to the user is the issue, not who gets the profit?

[KFC]

Vaud said:

Why is that an issue? Surely the cost to the user is the issue, not who gets the profit?

Because it makes it seem more dishonest/sleazy if the person being deceptive about pricing, is someone who's personally gaining from it. If Pistonheads weren't actually making anything from it then perhaps it was a mistake.