hi folks,
yesterday i got a cold call from a representative of a company that runs 0845/0844 numbers asking me for my postal address.his opening line was that as i used these access numbers he could give me a special rate.i told him that all my wife does is buy a £5 card and uses this following the instructions on the card so if there were special rates would that not be on the card.i suppose the upshot was i was curious as to why he wanted my address i politely told him i was not interested.anybody had similar calls and does anybody know what its about.

No, not exactly like that, but I think you were right to be suspicious.

But quite often get calls asking if we have a BT line. My answer now is "why?" because I know what is coming next. "Well we can switch you over to a tariff much cheaper than BT." To which I say "We are currently paying 0p per minute for calls to UK landlines. Are you saying you are cheaper than that?"

There is then a silent pause on the other end of the phone line. The person has lost any ability to read from a script! The call ends rapidly after that.

Seriously we save an absolute fortune using companies such as 18185, 18866 etc, not just for calls to Thailand but only our UK calls.

Yes I have had a call I believe from Telesavers or someone similar. The representative is Indian and its so difficult to understand them. I can't see why these companies use Indian call centres because most people I know just put the phone down.

Anyway I think the upshot of it was they said they could send special offers on the numbers I use.

Derren

john,

i know its been covered numerous times but whats the score with the 18185,18866 numbers,im on ntl so do i just dial these numbers prior to the number i require.

thanks

Robert, if you go to the 18185 website you will see that towards the left of the page is a label "Great benefits for non BT callers as well".

On investigation I think you will see that whilst those with a BT line pay 1p per minute for calls to Thailand, those with NTL etc pay 2p per minute.

So the question for you is ... is that competitive?

john,
thanks for that ill take a look