Dummy phone numbers

[Chris]

Hmm ... do the BBC still use any geographical numbers for their radio/TV stations/services?

Or are they all now 0870/0845/08xx ones?

If there's one thing that puts me off from dealing with organisations of any sort, it is the fact that they use these fixed cost numbers that cost more than its equivalent geographical number.

[Nick Harvey]

I seem to have got 01/071/0171/020-7 580 4468 in my database for BH.

Doubt it works now, but they used to put you straight through without question provided you simply asked for an extension number.

So if you wanted to talk direct to the Wogan, you asked for an extension number at random, then, when you got through, you apologised profusely, said you must have been given the wrong extension and asked the unsuspecting answerer who'd assume you'd already been grilled by the switchboard, for Wogan's correct extension number and to transfer you.

Not only did you get through this time, but you had the extension number for next time.

I had quite a nice list of direct extension numbers for a while.

[NickyS]

I seem to have got 01/071/0171/020-7 580 4468 in my database for BH.

Doubt it works now, but they used to put you straight through without question provided you simply asked for an extension number.

So if you wanted to talk direct to the Wogan, you asked for an extension number at random, then, when you got through, you apologised profusely, said you must have been given the wrong extension and asked the unsuspecting answerer who'd assume you'd already been grilled by the switchboard, for Wogan's correct extension number and to transfer you.

Not only did you get through this time, but you had the extension number for next time.

I had quite a nice list of direct extension numbers for a while.

It tends to be that all BBC extensions now have direct dial numbers ... various ones for various buildings. But the old numbers still work so 020 7580 4468 for BH and 020 8743 8000 for TVC ... although they are all answered centrally I think now and certainly you can ask for anyone in a London building on those two numbers and should get through ok. All listener/viewer questions now get answered by BBC Information 08700 100 222.

[Aston]

Hmm ... do the BBC still use any geographical numbers for their radio/TV stations/services?

Or are they all now 0870/0845/08xx ones?

If there's one thing that puts me off from dealing with organisations of any sort, it is the fact that they use these fixed cost numbers that cost more than its equivalent geographical number.

The reason many national services (such as CBBC for example) use a "fixed charge" number is to make it fair to all viewers no matter where they are calling from.

The 09011 number used at CBBC is fixed at 10p, so if you call from Glasgow or London, you'll pay the same.

Obviously mobile rates vary and ask the bill payer for permission

[johnnyboy]

I can understand why companies use 0845 and 0870 numbers.

I have always used freephone numbers in business - my last one came to over £700 for the month, but I do believe you get more business and loyalty through 0800 numbers.

The big question is this - my freephone number costs me £8,000+ per annum. £8,000 is equivalent to around £24,000 turnover - about what we do in a month.

Would I lose this much business if I switched to 0870?

If I didn't, I could make an extra £8,000+ per annum, pretty much what it costs to keep the company running for two months.

Don't be hard on businesses using 0845 and 0870 numbers. Business is quite tough.

[Jamez]

I'd still ring an 0870 number. Afterall, it's the quality of the service and the reputation of the business that would sway me, not whether I was going to save myself 50p ringing you up!

[fusionlad]

Anyone remember this one? 01 637 4343

is that the old Radio One phone in number?
A couple of old Radio numbers .. 01 580 4411, 01 580 4444

Sorry about dragging this one up again, but I only just remembered I posted in it for some bizarre reason.

Yes, 01637 4343 was the old Radio 1 number.

[Gavin Scott]

The one that sticks in my head was 01 811 8055, which belonged to Swap Shop - and probably Saturday Superstore.

[marksi]

[Lorns]

Ahh, such fond memories. Noel edmonds and Keith chegwin wasn't it. I used to enjoy Tiswas because they used to show the banana splits. I can't for the life of me remember the names of them. It was total chaos!

[Nick Harvey]

I'd still ring an 0870 number. Afterall, it's the quality of the service and the reputation of the business that would sway me, not whether I was going to save myself 50p ringing you up!

If at all possible, I'd strongly advise against using ANY organisation which CHANGES from an "ordinary" number to an 0870 one.

If the quality of service WAS worth LOCAL rate, ask yourself if it's still worth, what's effectively, PREMIUM rate.

There's a company going round at the moment getting doctor's surgeries to have new, fancy switchboards for free, in exchange for changing to an 0870 number, which this company take all the profit from.

The surgeries also HAVE to take a queuing system, so you get answered AND CHARGED after two rings, rather than gettting the FREE engaged tone like you used to.

In the old days, okay, you got engaged tone for a quarter of an hour and had to keep trying, but when you got through you paid the local daytime rate of 3p per minute and, if you were REALLY sick, you could add the local number to your "friends and family" or other discount list.

Nowadays you get answered after two rings and immediately start paying 8p per minute in daytime to sit in a queue for about fifteen minutes and THEN speak to the receptionist. You're also NOT allowed to add 0870 numbers to any BT discount list.

My doctor's surgery now find me quite amusing because I actually DRIVE up there to make an appointment, as the time and petrol are SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper than paying for the 0870 call.