(PENDING)Phonesafe, Beware!!!!!
Discussion
Only just seen this. Didn't have a clue that phonesafe was a premium rate number either.
I have recently advertised a car via PH and had I known I wouldn't have used phonesafe as it could put buyers off calling.
Please make it MUCH clearer on the ads and when you are placing one please PH!
I have recently advertised a car via PH and had I known I wouldn't have used phonesafe as it could put buyers off calling.
Please make it MUCH clearer on the ads and when you are placing one please PH!
In my opinion, the benefit is for the advertiser to use phonesafe so i don't really understand why its the caller that foots the bill?
the call cost should be ON the logo not require a further click which will take you away from the advertised number.
35p/min from BT Landline or - Click here for call cost information.
In PH defence i see that there is no revenue share with follow me numbers? find that odd given the margin.
the call cost should be ON the logo not require a further click which will take you away from the advertised number.
35p/min from BT Landline or - Click here for call cost information.
In PH defence i see that there is no revenue share with follow me numbers? find that odd given the margin.
For reference, 070 numbers are called "personal numbers" and can be allocated to individuals, businesses or services.
074-079 are for mobiles. There are some 076 numbers, but these used to be allocated to pagers.
There are some numbers that are assigned to the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man (07839 is one example) which can lead to higher charges.
074-079 are for mobiles. There are some 076 numbers, but these used to be allocated to pagers.
There are some numbers that are assigned to the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man (07839 is one example) which can lead to higher charges.
Thanks for the feedback guys, especially about visibility. We follow the guidelines set by the provider but it might be wise that we look at this area as suggested.
The service offers protection to the seller as you suggest, but the charges rely on the provider who can charge more for using the service if they choose, landlines are the best way to make contact. However, if engaging in long calls then a 'normal' number should be shared early on.
It's a good service in our opinion, but we do appreciate the comments.
The service offers protection to the seller as you suggest, but the charges rely on the provider who can charge more for using the service if they choose, landlines are the best way to make contact. However, if engaging in long calls then a 'normal' number should be shared early on.
It's a good service in our opinion, but we do appreciate the comments.
Just had a look and it looks like the design has been set up solely with the intention of misleading. As others have said there is nothing to suggest that the icon is linked. Indeed the email icon (which one might expect to be linked) isn't a link!
The mobile style number - lets be honest the vast majority of people think 07 = mobile number - gives no reason for people to even question the price.
The worst bit though is that this isn't unknown. It's been made clear dozens of times over the past few years by different posters who have been conned. And just because it's a few quid that most people don't bother chasing up it's still a con.
It's something that's been acknowledged by senior management at least 3 years ago on this very thread.
It's not down to the provider to make it clearer (as posted 3 years ago by Garlick) as they don't post the text to the adverts. If wanted it would take literally minutes for a PH techy to add some text under the phonesafe numbers stating clearly that there is a premium cost attached.
It's purely down to PH. Of course doing so might kill this cash cow.
Disgraceful behaviour and shows a total lack of respect for the users who make up the site.
The mobile style number - lets be honest the vast majority of people think 07 = mobile number - gives no reason for people to even question the price.
The worst bit though is that this isn't unknown. It's been made clear dozens of times over the past few years by different posters who have been conned. And just because it's a few quid that most people don't bother chasing up it's still a con.
It's something that's been acknowledged by senior management at least 3 years ago on this very thread.
It's not down to the provider to make it clearer (as posted 3 years ago by Garlick) as they don't post the text to the adverts. If wanted it would take literally minutes for a PH techy to add some text under the phonesafe numbers stating clearly that there is a premium cost attached.
It's purely down to PH. Of course doing so might kill this cash cow.
Disgraceful behaviour and shows a total lack of respect for the users who make up the site.
In almost all situations an 07 number is a mobile number and included in the allowance people have with their mobile contract. People are clued up on 0906/0845/0870 etc numbers not being included and avoid them. These premium rate 070 numbers are an anomaly that people don't come across often.
Infact OFCOM ordered they should carry a pre-call warning if the cost was over 20p/min but this was dropped after a couple of months for technical reasons.
This has come up so many times that it's clear people are being caught out. The simple answer is surely a box next phonesafe numbers clearly stating they are premium rate. Would take minutes to put in place and put this nonsense to bed. The *only* reason this hasn't been done is precisely because it would put people off calling such numbers and clearly they are a good earner for Haymarket.
It may only catch each victim for a few quid but without clarity it's an unethical business practice.
Infact OFCOM ordered they should carry a pre-call warning if the cost was over 20p/min but this was dropped after a couple of months for technical reasons.
This has come up so many times that it's clear people are being caught out. The simple answer is surely a box next phonesafe numbers clearly stating they are premium rate. Would take minutes to put in place and put this nonsense to bed. The *only* reason this hasn't been done is precisely because it would put people off calling such numbers and clearly they are a good earner for Haymarket.
It may only catch each victim for a few quid but without clarity it's an unethical business practice.
Edited by rpguk on Sunday 18th November 07:35
Podie said:
The Phonesafe logo works in exactly the same way as the dealer logos - so IMO its not misleading at all.
Given that almost anything other than a geographical number incurs an unknown cost, I'm staggered that people don't think before dialling.
I was taken in by it beginning in '07' and having no advisory note about the cost.Given that almost anything other than a geographical number incurs an unknown cost, I'm staggered that people don't think before dialling.
dazco said:
Podie said:
The Phonesafe logo works in exactly the same way as the dealer logos - so IMO its not misleading at all.
Given that almost anything other than a geographical number incurs an unknown cost, I'm staggered that people don't think before dialling.
I was taken in by it beginning in '07' and having no advisory note about the cost.Given that almost anything other than a geographical number incurs an unknown cost, I'm staggered that people don't think before dialling.
Whilst I appreciate people being pissed off, my personal view is to chalk it down to experience.
It's obvious that Phonesafe is a service, and these things are never free - sadly.
Podie said:
I'm sure we've all been stung at some point by 07 numbers - I remember a £200 mobile bill as one of my mates had changed mobile provider...
Whilst I appreciate people being pissed off, my personal view is to chalk it down to experience.
It's obvious that Phonesafe is a service, and these things are never free - sadly.
I'm with you, for myself. Whilst I appreciate people being pissed off, my personal view is to chalk it down to experience.
It's obvious that Phonesafe is a service, and these things are never free - sadly.
However, there are plenty out there who are trusting/naive/stupid/lazy who do not realise how much the costs for things like this vary. I have some responsibility for our company mobile phones so keep an eye on charges. We are currently with O2: click.
Link to premium rate charges: O2 PDF.
Podie said:
I'm sure we've all been stung at some point by 07 numbers - I remember a £200 mobile bill as one of my mates had changed mobile provider...
Whilst I appreciate people being pissed off, my personal view is to chalk it down to experience.
It's obvious that Phonesafe is a service, and these things are never free - sadly.
I will NOT chalk it down to experience. As far as I am concerned these things are governed by laws so we, the consumer, do not need to look for the small print or the hidden link. If this was a US porn site or some Nigerian money making scheme then yes, I would chalk it to experience. But I can happily dial numbers in the UK safe in the knowledge that premium numbers must be declared as such. And not hidden away in an unidentified link.Whilst I appreciate people being pissed off, my personal view is to chalk it down to experience.
It's obvious that Phonesafe is a service, and these things are never free - sadly.
Secondly, phonesafe might very well be a service, but it is not my bloody service!!! Why should I pay??? The seller does not want calls from agents? let the seller pay! The website want it as a feature to attract sellers? Let the website pay!
I benefit as a potential buyer not one iota.
Garlick said:
Thanks for the feedback guys, especially about visibility. We follow the guidelines set by the provider but it might be wise that we look at this area as suggested.
The service offers protection to the seller as you suggest, but the charges rely on the provider who can charge more for using the service if they choose, landlines are the best way to make contact. However, if engaging in long calls then a 'normal' number should be shared early on.
It's a good service in our opinion, but we do appreciate the comments.
Please can you give me their email address. I have to contact them before the premium service watchdog will let me complain to them. The service offers protection to the seller as you suggest, but the charges rely on the provider who can charge more for using the service if they choose, landlines are the best way to make contact. However, if engaging in long calls then a 'normal' number should be shared early on.
It's a good service in our opinion, but we do appreciate the comments.
cheers
"Will PhoneSafe affect the response to my advert?
Sellers are not going to notice any difference in the amount of genuine interest in their car as only canvassers, not buyers, will be filtered out."
People certainly would notice difference in the amount of genuine interest in their car if people knew about these hidden costs and I for one will not be ringing up about any cars in future displaying the Phonesafe Logo. I may email and ask for their own number but if they don't reply then...
Sellers are not going to notice any difference in the amount of genuine interest in their car as only canvassers, not buyers, will be filtered out."
People certainly would notice difference in the amount of genuine interest in their car if people knew about these hidden costs and I for one will not be ringing up about any cars in future displaying the Phonesafe Logo. I may email and ask for their own number but if they don't reply then...
dazco said:
Podie said:
I'm sure we've all been stung at some point by 07 numbers - I remember a £200 mobile bill as one of my mates had changed mobile provider...
Whilst I appreciate people being pissed off, my personal view is to chalk it down to experience.
It's obvious that Phonesafe is a service, and these things are never free - sadly.
I will NOT chalk it down to experience. As far as I am concerned these things are governed by laws so we, the consumer, do not need to look for the small print or the hidden link. If this was a US porn site or some Nigerian money making scheme then yes, I would chalk it to experience. But I can happily dial numbers in the UK safe in the knowledge that premium numbers must be declared as such. And not hidden away in an unidentified link.Whilst I appreciate people being pissed off, my personal view is to chalk it down to experience.
It's obvious that Phonesafe is a service, and these things are never free - sadly.
Secondly, phonesafe might very well be a service, but it is not my bloody service!!! Why should I pay??? The seller does not want calls from agents? let the seller pay! The website want it as a feature to attract sellers? Let the website pay!
I benefit as a potential buyer not one iota.
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