0845/local phone number?

[wagstaf]

Good afternoon all.

I need a new phone number for 2 offices based 300 miles apart.

Are 0845 recognised numbers now or do the public still perceive them to be expensive or shy away from using them?

I plan to write 0845 -------- (calls charged at local rate) on published material.

Any thoughts please?

Thanks

W.

 

[paultnl]

General advice would be not to use 084x numbers as they are percieved as exspensive and are generaly not included in mobile plans. Use a standard 01 02 or 03 number if you can.

 

[Dan Frazer Gardening]

Agreed, local numbers every time. Think the way your clients may think. What would you prefer?

 

[My Owl 1]

Have you got an existing number for either of your offices yet. If so another number from that locality but that can be used anywhere, with a wifi connection. Would that be of use.

Best wishes

Avril.
providing affordable utilities to businesses and homes.

 

[cjd]

Any thoughts please?

Please see, this:

http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=230796

 

[bwhomeresponse]

always use a local number it gives the customer confidence that they are not ringing a call centre abroad.

 

[tony84]

0845 numbers are expensive - even if its a penny a minute. I get free calls to 01 and 02 numbers so anything that costs im not happy with.

I use saynoto0870, i also have various account managers for a number of companies, if they dont give me an 01, 02 or 07 number they dont get my business.

You could get round it by offerinf 08 and 01 numbers?

 

[Posilan]

Are 0845 recognised numbers now or do the public still perceive them to be expensive or shy away from using them?

It's not just "perceived" as expensive - they are expensive to call when compared to a standard (01/02/03) geographical number and are rarely included in inclusive call bundles.

I plan to write 0845 -------- (calls charged at local rate) on published material.

Any thoughts please?

This statement could get you in hot water as it's not true.

Even when 0845 numbers were popular, they were charged at "Lo-Call rate" (not to be confused with local rate) which is a different rate to that of a "local call" (local rate really doesn't even really exist these days, it's just normally a set national geographic rate)

Better to stick with a geographic number or at least a new style 03 number which is changed at geographic rates (by regulation from Ofcom)

Steve

 

[RevaxMedia]

Good afternoon all.

I need a new phone number for 2 offices based 300 miles apart.

Are 0845 recognised numbers now or do the public still perceive them to be expensive or shy away from using them?

I plan to write 0845 -------- (calls charged at local rate) on published material.

Any thoughts please?

Thanks

W.

0845 - assumed to be expensive in my experience,
Local area codes always a winner followed by 0800 numbers

 

[wagstaf]

very useful posts - many thanks.
is the innovation of the 0333 number here to stay? and more to the point, do the public perceive it is cost effective and will phone it?

 

[cjd]

very useful posts - many thanks.
is the innovation of the 0333 number here to stay? and more to the point, do the public perceive it is cost effective and will phone it?

Yes, they're here to stay. The public probably don't know what they are yet but they'll get used to them as all public bodies should have them and the BBC are reading them out on TV and radio regularly now.

 

[LaurenWallace]

Hello

The public are becoming more aware of 03 (including 0333) numbers. For example, Children In Need now use an 0333 number (supplied by a company called Windsor Telecom), and they are free to call from both landline and mobile if the caller has free minutes. Otherwise, it's the same as calling any other landline. I guess you could say the BBC wouldn't want to use a number during Children In Need if they thought it would put people off donating.

A lot of companies that use 03 numbers will include 'calls are free from a landline or mobile as part of your inclusive minutes. Otherwise, calls are charged at same rate as calling a landline'. This will help ensure your customers know they won't be charged much/nothing at all!

If you chose a 03 number, look for a provider that includes lots of free minutes (so you're only paying the standard monthly service charge, which should be less than £20).

 

[fisicx]

But you really need to make sure you tell people on your website/marketing material that the 03 number is free/included.

I'd still have a local number first and the 03 as an option though.

Perception is often illogical and preconceived and because of the various scams anything other than a local number may well be considered 'dodgy'

 

[KateCB]

We have an 033 number and a local number - local number provided courtesy of voiphone - thank CJD! 033 number through Windsor telecom - we get 700 minutes a month calling time (into us) within our £10+VAT PCM plan and after that minutes are charged at 10p - never got to 700 minutes as many prefer the landline, but we do average around 320 minutes on the 033, so people are getting used to the 033 numbers!

 

[cjd]

We have an 033 number and a local number - local number provided courtesy of voiphone - thank CJD! 033 number through Windsor telecom - we get 700 minutes a month calling time (into us) within our £10+VAT PCM plan and after that minutes are charged at 10p - never got to 700 minutes as many prefer the landline, but we do average around 320 minutes on the 033, so people are getting used to the 033 numbers!

hmmm.... why are you being charged for calls coming to you? It should be free.

Our 03x numbers are £2 per month - there are no other costs.

 

[MattatAlphatalk]

Online especially there is a growing hostility towards 084x numbers ... However the general public's perception is a different thing. We still have customers that use 0844 numbers and get 1,000s of calls a month (obviously good for us as a company) but the mainstream media have been latching onto it lately. So in regards to longevity it is better to get 03x numbers ...

Matt

 

[simonclark123]

Hi

In my opinion, any business using 084x, 087x and even 080x are needlessly reducing their potential market.

For my business, I use Orange Single Number so have an extra sim with the same number in a GSM deskphone which I use for all outgoing calls.

I have an 020 number for incoming calls going straight to my mobile (Orange Pocket Landline) and Virgin Media for Broadband hence have no need for a business landline.

Hence 084x, 087x, 080x are extortionately expensive for me to phone as indeed they are for nearly all mobile users.

If a business will not give me a proper 01,02,03 (or even an 07 number will do), I will not do business with them.

Obviously, not all potential customers are as dogmatic as me, but why put off any potential customers from phoning to speak to you in the first place?

Best regards

Simon Clark at Business Telecoms dot com