Archive for March, 2010

Become a fan of SayNoTo1890.com on Facebook

Monday, March 29th, 2010

I’m just trying out something that might help spread the word on SayNoTo1890.com. There’s a respectable group of regular users of SayNoTo1890.com – all of whom realise that it’s a site that can save you money every time that you have to call a 1890, 1850 or 0818 number.

So, to try to share the love, I’ve set up a SayNoTo1890.com Facebook page in the hope of widening the audience for the website. The more people that we have using the site, and submitting geographical alternative numbers for 1890, 1850 and 0818 numbers, the better a resource the website can be in helping us all save money.

So, if you’re a user of Facebook, please go to the SayNoTo1890.com Facebook page and become and fan, and invite your friends to become fans as well.

Thank you.

Can you help by providing geographical alternatives for these numbers?

Monday, March 15th, 2010

A number of SayNoTo1890.com users have requested geographical alternative numbers for the following companies and organisation. I’ve investigated but I cannot find any alternatives myself.

So, over to you. If you know the geographical alternatives for these numbers, please e-mail me here, or leave a comment below:

  • Health Service Executive Information Line – 1850 241850
  • Bank of Ireland Mortgages – 1890 365 345
  • Emergency Doctor – NOWDOC, Oldtown, Letterkenny – 1850 400 911

New Geographical Alternative Numbers Now Available

Friday, March 12th, 2010

Many thanks to all the SayNoTo1890.com readers who’ve e-mailed in these geographical number alternatives for 1890, 1850 and 0818 numbers over the past couple of weeks.

This is very much appreciated by me, and I’m sure by the other users of this website. Sharing this information will help all of us save money on our phone calls.

Aviva

  • 1890 33 22 11 – Call 091 525311

Sage Software

  • 1890 88 20 60 – Call 01 642 08 00

Higher Education Authority (HEA)

  • 1890 200 637 – Call 01 231 7100

AA Insurance

  • 1890 72 74 76 – Call 01 617 9999

EBS Home Insurance

  • 1890 642222 – Call 01 6658000

EBS Direct Business

  • 1850 654321 – Call 01 6658000

Prestige Discounted travel insurance

  • 1890808666 – Call 0494371505

Zurich Insurance

  • 1850 444 500 – Call 01 6670666

Fexco Stockbroking

  • 1850 227 228 – Call 01 6373080

ESB Meter Readings

Emo Oil

  • 1850 366 645 – Call 057 86 74760

0818 numbers being wrongly advertised as 1890

Monday, March 8th, 2010

In the past, I’ve written how some unscrupulous companies may try to con potential callers by advertising their 0818 numbers in a way that makes them look harmless – i.e. 081 1.

A recent trend I’m seeing these days is for companies to falsely advertise 0818 number as Lo Call numbers. While some people may not get the difference, they’re two completely distinct numbers – as detailed on the FAQ page here. This picture shows such a false advertising sign, though I do apologies it’s hard to make out.

What is an 1890 number?

An 1890 number is known as a LoCall number. It was devised to allow customers call businesses from all over the country, but for a flat local rate. So, you could call a business in Dublin for the same cost as calling a business around the corner.

What is an 0818 number?

An 0818 number is known as a National Call number. This type of phone number was devised to allow businesses charge an extra small premium above the regular cost of the call.

The different costs associated with 0818 and 1890 numbers are available here on the Costs page – in some cases there’s little difference, but there can be big differences depending on your operator.

I personally have a big problem with 0818 numbers. If a consumer is planning on dealing with a business, why should they have t0o pay a premium cost on their phone call costs just to find out more. I’ll personally stay away from any business that provides an 0818 contact number – particularly for sales, never mind customer support.