Why do companies use 0845/0870 numbers?

[grumpyscot]

Here goes:.....

08xx numbers are what BT call non-geographic. To each 08xx number you can direct call to any number or numbers you like. e.g. a Bank may use 08xx for telephone banking, but the 08xx may deliver to call centres in Scotland, England, Wales, India, wherever. They can move calls about from centre o centre without the general public being inconvenienced or having to learn a new number. In one example, Halifax moved a call centre from Scotland to Cardiff and the general public, apart from hearing a different accent, knew nothing about it. You are also charged at a local rate - try doing that to a call centre in India (where you will need the direct number to get there!) especially, say, overnight when the UK call centres shut down and switch calls outside the UK.

So overall, the reason is not to fleece the public - although arguably doctors surgeries using 0870 and charging 25p a minute is a bit off - and SKY doing the same and making you listem to 2 minutes of diatribe before even telling you which numbers to press to do whatever is simply taking the mickey.

The companies using 08xx make money out of it - which is why my telephone banking with the Halifax used to take 20 seconds from start to finish now can take no less than 4 minutes due to their rediculous diatribe and caveats / disclaimers.

But to Joe Public, there is a benefit in that if you stayed in, say, Bristol and your Bank's call centre is in India / Australia / Ireland, you don't have to pay a long distance call charge....

Unless, of course, you're smart enough to dial the direct number in the evening or weekends..............

[grumpyscot]

Iain328 beats me to it - I must be typing too slow!

Edited by grumpyscot on Tuesday 17th February 13:00

[millband]

Nic Jones said:

...nice lady at the other end had told me it was somewhere in their month + backlog she said I'd come through on the wrong number and that the geographical number should only be used by people calling from abroad and I had to use the 0845 number in future.

My question is why? ...

There are a few answers to this.

a) A company/agency will take a cut of the revenue from an 0844/0845/0870 "non geographic" number, earning them money from your call. This is the biggest problem people have with it, especially with Gov agencies. It can be a very nice earner, and can actually encourage companies to keep you on hold when times are hard.

b) The company can use clever routing behind the non-geographic numbers allowing the call to be answered in different offices, countries etc. This allows such things as seamless disaster recovery (the number will still work by routing calls elsewhere even if a given office burns down, important for big companies), call recording on the network, call overflow routing on the network etc etc. All this will probably be free for the company as it will be paid for by the telecom providers cut of the charges. This has recently become possible with fake geographic numbers too, but like 0800's these cost the company for every minute you are on the phone.

Put simply you should ideally get a better service and cheaper products if a company uses 0845's etc, unless their primary purpose is to help you as a client in which case it's a bit cheeky to charge you.

With Government agencies it's a balancing act. If I was calling for assistance I'd feel peeved at paying them again for a service I already pay for with my taxes. On the other hand, I don't want my taxes subsidising an 0800 number for various whingers to use waste my money.

ETA - Took me so long to type everyone beat me to it!

Edited by millband on Tuesday 17th February 13:06

[Adrian W]

I thought all o8xx numbers were revenue sharing, the telco can charge what they like and then they share the proceeds with the recipient,

Check your bills.

[john_p]

I think there's no excuse for a company not to publish a main (say) 020 number if they use 0845/0870 numbers. Geographical numbers can be intelligently routed just like 0845 numbers ..

I haven't used my landline to make a call in 3 years.

[millband]

john_p said:

Geographical numbers can be intelligently routed just like 0845 numbers ...

Costs the company money though, might as well offer a freephone number...

Ooops, answered my own question - a freephone number is now a double-whammy, as most mobiles charge you for them plus the company gets charged as well.

[ChristianZS]

john_p said:

I think there's no excuse for a company not to publish a main (say) 020 number if they use 0845/0870 numbers. Geographical numbers can be intelligently routed just like 0845 numbers ..

I haven't used my landline to make a call in 3 years.

As I understand the situation,it is easier to get 0800's onto say Telewest's SRS Platform. Geographic numbers with routing at that level seemed a pain when we asked.

[caiss4]

Generally I find that many of the companies that use 08xx numbers generally give you a long winded spiel when you call; a clear indication that they are aiming to make money from the revenue share. Have to say a good scam - make the caller pay to hear their advertising.

In particular I'm annoyed when it's a credit card company as I'm normally calling to sort out some issue with my statement. If the CC company does not provide a geographic or an 0800 number (or you're on mobile) then use the Lost or Stolen number as they have to list a UK geographic number (with international prefix +44). So far I've never been told I've used the wrong number!

[Mr Will]

cazzer said:

Silverbullet767 said:

The only reason I have a landline is to receive calls from my parents, they 'dont like' mobiles....

Don't blame em. Calling mobiles is invariably more expensive.
And (assuming you arn't temporarily renting) is bloody antisocial to expect people to call you on them when you're at home.

Only if you are calling from a landline, if you are on a mobile then it's included in your minutes and is free!

[ol]

I always use saynoto870 to get the alternative numbers.

If you get through and they tell you to redial on an 0870 number, just tell them that you're calling from a phone on which 0870 numbers are blocked. They ALWAYS put you through even if they've told you that they can't.

[cazzer]

Mr Will said:

cazzer said:

Silverbullet767 said:

The only reason I have a landline is to receive calls from my parents, they 'dont like' mobiles....

Don't blame em. Calling mobiles is invariably more expensive.
And (assuming you arn't temporarily renting) is bloody antisocial to expect people to call you on them when you're at home.

Only if you are calling from a landline, if you are on a mobile then it's included in your minutes and is free!

So to call you I have to have a mobile with a minutes included contract. Or take the hit from calling you from my landline.
Considerate of you to impose these conditions.
Alternatively, how about I don't bother and wait for you to call me.

(Obviously the me in this statement being "the parents")

[elster]

cazzer said:

Mr Will said:

cazzer said:

Silverbullet767 said:

The only reason I have a landline is to receive calls from my parents, they 'dont like' mobiles....

Don't blame em. Calling mobiles is invariably more expensive.
And (assuming you arn't temporarily renting) is bloody antisocial to expect people to call you on them when you're at home.

Only if you are calling from a landline, if you are on a mobile then it's included in your minutes and is free!

So to call you I have to have a mobile with a minutes included contract. Or take the hit from calling you from my landline.
Considerate of you to impose these conditions.
Alternatively, how about I don't bother and wait for you to call me.

(Obviously the me in this statement being "the parents")

I expect people to call me over the internet. Bloody rude xpecting me to actually PAY for a call.

You people who use the landline phone are just living in the dark ages.