I notice that several small accounting and law firms that I deal with have recently adopted premium phone numbers, and cannot be contacted in any other way. They tell me that this is aimed at covering the costs of answering the phone, and that clients don't seem to object. A 2-minute call to one of these firms now costs me around £3, and they get £1.50 of this, the rest going to the phone company, I assume. Should we all be adopting this approach?
sjd
Related resources
Replies (6)
Please login or register to join the discussion.
Update on 0870 number
Ofcom have been looking at the charges for 0870 numbers, (see following link http://www.independent-telecom-consultants-uk.co.uk/news-0870-0871-numbers.html) so in the near future the approach of the firms you mention may not be allowable - or at the very least they will have to publish the premium element.
For us personally ,as a small growing practice we chose an 0870 number initially not for any revenue generating reasons but because we knew we were planning to move office in a relatively short period of time , and the 0870 number allowed us to
1) ensure that clients could contact us when we had moved. (even with the best will in the world, mail shots and direct phone calls, there will always be some client who has not update their contact number)
2) meant we did not have to go to the expense of reprinting stationery/ business cards etc.
There is a mis-interpretation that all 0870 numbers are premium numbers. I know that ours are set at standard call costs, and the client does not pay any premium.
As regards our own 0870 number now... well, we still have it on our stationery as the standard number, but on our web site and e-mails we also provide the local number over which the 0870 is placed.
Point to note - all 0870 numbers must be laid over a traditional local line, so if you want to stop being charged for a premium 0870 number insist that the accountant ( or any other businesses) provide you with the base number.
fionap
Mike
Fax to email - on an 0871 number, costs me £35 p/a (with no line rental), only get 1 unsolicited fax every couple of months - which I simply delete.
I wouldn't use them
I always try to find alternatives for 0845 and 0870 numbers where possible. I wouldn't ring an 09 number unless my life depended on it...
I hate the way this country is going - screw every last penny out of everyone wherever possible, and I would not use any firm that had a premium number. If I owe money for genuine work done, then bill me at the appropriate rate. I shouldn't have to pay anyone for anything else (eg trying to locate the person I need to speak to etc).
Covering the cost of answering the phone? I don't think so. Lining their pockets more like. Show me a receptionist who is paid £1.50 per minute please.
No
Whenever I see a premium rate number for a company I automatically find someone else.
If they want my business why should I pay for the privilege?
I also look at the website
www.saynoto0870.com to find an alternative.
Managed to find one for Companies House the other day.
they have a place
I think premium numbers have a place, but not for your main contact number surely. What does this tell prospective clients about your charging policies generally ?
The only premium number that I entertain is for the fax number, and that's only really to attempt to get the many many direct faxing organisations to effectively pay for the paper and toner that they waste telling me about offers I really don't want.
Charging
Yes. And while we're at it, why don't we charge them for a cup of coffee as well?