Originally Posted by
Mark_T
The basic 0844 contract requires that if the business sets a price below 5p/min then far from making a profit they have to contribute to the cost of the call themselves.
If they set it at 5p/min then they do not have to pay towards the call cost but they still get nothing unless they generate a significant amount of inbound calls to the number, if so then they can negotiate a rebate based on the call volume.
You'll find those sites you keep linking to are very poor at explaining the details and pitfalls as the sort of call volumes you need to reach the figures they quote are very high indeed.
With a Premium Rate number even one phone call can make you money and help you generate a profit which is what these numbers are designed for. I highly doubt that anyone is making a profit by using an 0844 number. Offsetting a little cost perhaps, but not making a profit.
Well,
Premium Phone Services Ltd claim:
For every call received - you earn 2p/minute.
Only £10 + vat (£11.75 inc vat) one off fee to pay - no more charges GUARANTEED.
When you order the premium rate 0844 Live telephone service you shall receive:
- an exclusive premium rate number eg. 0844 1234567
- all calls routed through to your existing landline number
- payment of 2p per minute
- FREE online call reports
- GUARANTEED monthly cheque sent to you 45 days after month end
Although I could imagine that the overheads of setting this up for a large organisation like AA may only defray costs rather than raise income.