Unexpected ripp off - worth knowing.

bw41101 · 02-12-2011, 22:27

Greetings all;

Got my monthly E Bill today and noticed that I'd been charged for some calls made during the last month. As I'm on the Talk Unlimited package and recently been tickled for the 08 service, I was put out to discover the charges.

Upon querying this with VM I discovered that a few times I'd checked my phone for calls using the 1471 option and then pressed 3 to return the call. I couldn't believe what I was told - I had been charged for the connection and irrespective of what (cost saving) package I was on it made no difference - WHAT!!

What really galled me was that the VM rep was not prepared to refund me for something I was totally unaware of. This is the kind of lowlife stunt that I would expect (rip off) BT to pull not VM -

Not impressed and very disappointing!

Si thee

Digital Fanatic · 02-12-2011, 22:45

Quote:

Originally Posted by bw41101

Greetings all;

Got my monthly E Bill today and noticed that I'd been charged for some calls made during the last month. As I'm on the Talk Unlimited package and recently been tickled for the 08 service, I was put out to discover the charges.

Upon querying this with VM I discovered that a few times I'd checked my phone for calls using the 1471 option and then pressed 3 to return the call. I couldn't believe what I was told - I had been charged for the connection and irrespective of what (cost saving) package I was on it made no difference - WHAT!!

What really galled me was that the VM rep was not prepared to refund me for something I was totally unaware of. This is the kind of lowlife stunt that I would expect (rip off) BT to pull not VM -

Not impressed and very disappointing!

Si thee

It's been like that for a while TBH. If you listen it does advise a charge.

Peter_ · 03-12-2011, 06:31

The charge is mentioned on this page below and it is also mentioned when you ring 1471 but you have to listen to the whole message in order to hear it.

http://shop.virginmedia.com/phone/calling-features.html

Quote:

A charge sometimes applies1

Last Number Recall (1471)

Lets you know the last number that called you and allows you return the call.
Calling 1471 is free, but if you choose to return the call you will be charged 16.34p, in addition to your call charges.

Quote:

Calling 1471 is free, but if you choose to return the call (that's Option 3) you will be charged 16.34p, in addition to your call charges - please listen to the announcement carefully.

nodrogd · 03-12-2011, 12:05

The charge for ringback goes back at least 2 years, as you can see by this thread, and as you will note, it used to cost considerably more.

howardmicks · 03-12-2011, 12:13

Same thing happened to me,But when i contacted vm the charges where credited back to my account.certainly wont make that mistake again

bw41101 · 03-12-2011, 16:57

Quote:

Originally Posted by Digital Fanatic

It's been like that for a while TBH. If you listen it does advise a charge.

Agreed, but to my mind the message is misleading as it infers that there "may" be a charge - not when (in reality) there always is.

Si thee

**Hugh** · 03-12-2011, 17:04

It appears to say there will be a charge, not infer that there may....

Wild Oscar · 04-12-2011, 19:56

New one on me ... thanks for the information!

Although I'd always break the connection and dial anew , rather than use the '3' option anyway ..

Tim Deegan · 04-12-2011, 21:39

In future just dial 1471, then make a note of the number. Then dial it. Problem solved, with no charge.

**Hugh** · 04-12-2011, 22:36

Thank you, Tim - that suggestion brought a smile to my face.

Tim Deegan · 04-12-2011, 23:44

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hugh

Thank you, Tim - that suggestion brought a smile to my face.

Well it's true, isn't it?

Digital Fanatic · 04-12-2011, 23:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Deegan

Well it's true, isn't it?

It is, yes.

Mr Angry · 05-12-2011, 18:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by bw41101

....the message is misleading as it infers that there "may" be a charge - not when (in reality) there always is.

Same here in Angry towers.

m419 · 11-12-2011, 00:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by bw41101

Greetings all;

Got my monthly E Bill today and noticed that I'd been charged for some calls made during the last month. As I'm on the Talk Unlimited package and recently been tickled for the 08 service, I was put out to discover the charges.

Upon querying this with VM I discovered that a few times I'd checked my phone for calls using the 1471 option and then pressed 3 to return the call. I couldn't believe what I was told - I had been charged for the connection and irrespective of what (cost saving) package I was on it made no difference - WHAT!!

What really galled me was that the VM rep was not prepared to refund me for something I was totally unaware of. This is the kind of lowlife stunt that I would expect (rip off) BT to pull not VM -

Not impressed and very disappointing!

Si thee

All phone companies apart from Vodafone and O2's 1471 charge for returning the call.

Virgin Media and BT do tell you that there is a charge before using the service as it says 'Just so you know, there maybe a charge for returning a call' and BT's one says something like 'there is normally a charge for the service'