This is a trick that used to be used by NTL/UPC before they started focusing on their 1906 number. This e-mail from a SayNoTo1890.com reader shows that Dunnes Stores are doing the same thing:
just off the Dunnes Stores helpline. On the website you are directed to 1800-678999 but once as you call it says if you are using a mobile to use 1890-678999. I went on line to see what the difference was in the phone numbers and came accross your website….so just thought it might be of interest to you
I’m sure there’s some technical reason in the background as to why a company might do this – because it’s not as if Dunnes Stores make money off the 1890 number.
Anyone have any idea why?
Tags: Dunnes Stores, SayNoTo1890 News
I have found that some free-phone numbers (mainly seems to be those that redirect to call centres in the North and the UK – but that’s just my experience) will not work from mobiles you get a message stating that this freefone number is not accessible from a mobile phone. The MBNA freephone number does this.
Dunnes Stores doesn’t want to pay the cost of receiving the 1800 call from a mobile, which is rather more than for a call from a fixed line. As to why they don’t offer a geographic number as an alternative, I guess the 1890 number gives them more control in terms of where they redirect the calls to.
The general cost structure for 1800 numbers (to the business providing them to their customers) is;
Call made from a landline – Very Low
Call made from a Payphone – Medium
Call made from a Mobile – Very high