| 0800 numbers are universally recognised in the UK as | | | | So what are the drawbacks? Well the calls aren't free |
| being free for the caller. The cost of the call is borne | | | | if people are using mobiles with the increase in mobile |
| by the receiver. | | | | phone usage this affects a large proportion of people. |
| So why would a company use this type of number if it | | | | Soon there will be more calls from mobiles than |
| is costing them money? The main reasons are | | | | landlines and that presents a problem for the |
| because more people contact them and so more | | | | apparently free 0800 number. Calls from mobiles can |
| sales occur. The numbers have helped thousands of | | | | cost the caller up to 20p per minute! |
| successful businesses and new start-ups to gain | | | | Shockingly, seven out of ten mobile customers using |
| customer loyalty and confidence because the | | | | 0800 numbers from their mobile have no idea how |
| perception of their customers is that they are dealing | | | | much they are actually being charged for the calls. |
| with a professional and customer oriented company. | | | | Millions of pounds of revenue are being made by the |
| 0800 numbers are non-geographic and so not | | | | phone companies from this practice. Citizens Advice |
| associated with any particular location. This enables | | | | and other consumer organisations are campaigning for |
| companies to target customers at a national level. | | | | calls to 0800 numbers to be "no cost" from mobiles so |
| Consistent communication is a key to success for | | | | that the pricing structure is finally back as it was |
| most businesses and 0800 numbers help with this | | | | originally designed to be. |
| because the numbers are easily transferable. | | | | |