Author Topic: Warning 118118 and Sky Directory enquiry charges!  (Read 2862 times)

Bill Stickers

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Warning 118118 and Sky Directory enquiry charges!
« on: Mar 20, 2018, 08:13:20 PM »
I recently had cause to call 'Directory enquiries' whilst using my Sky £5 a month all inclusive fixed charge mobile package.

Today I received my monthly bill, which has never exceed the amount above. I reeled at £39.77 when their 'SMS' arrived.

I'd made three calls to 118118 and the details were viz;

13 march 2018 17:43 118118 - 1 min 7 sec   £10.41

13 march 2018 17:42 118118 - 1 min 22 sec £11.53

13 March 2018 15.38 118118 - 1 min 39 sec £12.80

Sub Total £34.74


This equates to over £8 a minute without audible warning beforehand of such a 'Supracharge'. Sky blame it on 118 - so please be warned. Apparently this charge from 118 applies to many other mobile service providers in the UK and was approved by Ofcom, so check before you dial.

Sky incidentally don't provide, or have a non usury arrangement with anyone else to give you contact 'on the go'!

Lovely world ...

minniemouse

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Re: Warning 118118 and Sky Directory enquiry charges!
« Reply #1 on: Mar 20, 2018, 09:12:15 PM »
For Directory Enquiries I use 118 811, as opposed to 118 118 as far as I am aware the charge is 50p.  per call.
Smoking kills you, bacon kills you, smoking bacon cures it.

zoony

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Re: Warning 118118 and Sky Directory enquiry charges!
« Reply #2 on: Mar 20, 2018, 09:22:00 PM »


Sky incidentally don't provide, or have a non usury arrangement with anyone else to give you contact 'on the go'!

Lovely world ...



I think that all their charges are usurous..
"Listen to the wind, it cleans the mind."

"Never use money to measure wealth, son"

                                           cowboy wisdom.

Bill Stickers

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Re: Warning 118118 and Sky Directory enquiry charges!
« Reply #3 on: Mar 20, 2018, 09:54:42 PM »
For Directory Enquiries I use 118 811, as opposed to 118 118 as far as I am aware the charge is 50p.  per call.
Thank you ...

Bill Stickers

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Re: Warning 118118 and Sky Directory enquiry charges!
« Reply #4 on: Mar 20, 2018, 09:57:19 PM »
I have also been referred to this revelation, has the world gone mad or what?

https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/phones/2017/05/118-118-call-charges-rise-to-minimum-of-898

Bill

Coastal

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Re: Warning 118118 and Sky Directory enquiry charges!
« Reply #5 on: Mar 20, 2018, 10:50:00 PM »
That's what the internet is for, no extra charges.

My phone contract only covers 01 02 and 03 numbers, and my home phone is only free evenings and weekends, but most companies have 0800 numbers when googled.

It must be 20 to 30 years since I last used directory enquiries, it's a rip off.
Hell hath no fury like a woman .......

Bill Stickers

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Re: Warning 118118 and Sky Directory enquiry charges!
« Reply #6 on: Mar 21, 2018, 11:21:23 AM »
That's what the internet is for, no extra charges.

As the MSE report I attached reflected;

  ... 'The service is predominantly used by older people or  consumers who don’t have access to the internet and consumer groups have slammed  the prices saying the elderly are being targeted because they are not comfortable using the internet to find numbers, which can be done for free ...'

I was on a train at the time and don't have or want a 'Smart' phone for internet connection, therefore I used a service that charges £480 an hour, without warning. Ofcom should at least insist service providers such as Sky, preface connection by advising the costs you will incur if you proceed. It is after all 'Sky' that bill you.

I merely wanted to save other members from my fate.

Coastal

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Re: Warning 118118 and Sky Directory enquiry charges!
« Reply #7 on: Mar 21, 2018, 11:44:38 AM »
I doubt that Sky, or any of the others will warn you of the costs without being forced to, it might put you off using the service,
Online gambling sites don't advertise "Gamble Aware" for your benefit, no more than cigarette companies want to warn you about the possible consequences of smoking, 
Anybody who believes that companies actually care about their customers are dreamers, and the main role of the ironically called "Customer Care" is to pacify the complainant with the minimum effort and cost.
Companies always shout about their good points (that's all of them) but no matter what service they offer or what they sell, there's always something to fall back on called SMALL PRINT.
What a lot of companies would prefer, is that when you sign up for a service, you just sign a blank sheet and they fill in the details later.

One option is to put the number into your contacts along with the details of costs, as a reminder should you ever be tempted to use it.
Hell hath no fury like a woman .......

brian54

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Re: Warning 118118 and Sky Directory enquiry charges!
« Reply #8 on: Mar 22, 2018, 07:48:24 AM »

I just type BT directory in to my address bar and it comes up. I just use it like the old phone directory.
I am ex directory but the silly callers somehow get hold of my number somehow.
To date since having the service I have not had a single unwanted call.

crabbyob

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Re: Warning 118118 and Sky Directory enquiry charges!
« Reply #9 on: Mar 22, 2018, 08:40:50 AM »
erm... what service brian
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minniemouse

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Re: Warning 118118 and Sky Directory enquiry charges!
« Reply #10 on: Mar 22, 2018, 09:29:30 AM »
The price goes up dramatically with 118 numbers if you let them put you through rather than you 'dialing' the number yourself.
Smoking kills you, bacon kills you, smoking bacon cures it.

StephenM123

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Re: Warning 118118 and Sky Directory enquiry charges!
« Reply #11 on: Mar 22, 2018, 01:21:02 PM »
erm... what service brian

It's called the  Telephone Preference Service (TPS) and is a free service. However, it is not foolproof as various companies and individuals sell on your numbers. The link is:- www.tpsonline.org.uk/tps/

Alex22

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Re: Warning 118118 and Sky Directory enquiry charges!
« Reply #12 on: Mar 22, 2018, 01:26:08 PM »

I merely wanted to save other members from my fate.

Thanks for the heads up Bill Stickers  ;)
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StephenM123

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Re: Warning 118118 and Sky Directory enquiry charges!
« Reply #13 on: Mar 22, 2018, 01:31:31 PM »
Thanks for the heads up Bill Stickers  ;)

You can call me Brains instead of Brian!  :)

Alex22

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Re: Warning 118118 and Sky Directory enquiry charges!
« Reply #14 on: Mar 22, 2018, 01:35:04 PM »
Come on now Stephen there is only ONE Brian  8) 8)   
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