LU Family Programme

norder · Joined: 16 Nov 2006 Posts: 85

Just to let everyone know that there is a way round those expensive telephone calls to student rooms. I haven't actually found it yet but I'm working on it (meantime using Skype when the servers are working!).
There's a website called Say No to 0870 which searches out alternative , real landline numbers for all sorts of companies who insist on using the 0870 numbers.
http://www.saynoto0870.com/
If you click on "search to find an alternative number" then search in the categories box for Universities, there's a thread for Lancaster to see how the search is going. I managed to get through to one of the other colleges so far but not County yet. the more of us who try, the better the chances of finding the numbers.
That website has saved me a small fortune.

Rom · Joined: 03 Oct 2006 Posts: 145 Location: Bradford

Nice one Norder...will give it a go!!! Smile

Our son is also in County - keep us informed if you manage to get through.

sue · Joined: 09 Nov 2006 Posts: 3 Location: Salisbury

I tried but no luck yet

Lindajoy · Joined: 21 Nov 2006 Posts: 14 Location: Shropshire

Thanks for this and will definitely use it for all the people who use these numbers. One thing I do with credit card companies is to ring the number that they give you if you are phoning from abroad to report lost or stolen credit cards. I use the 1899 prefix (www.moneysaving.com ) and the call then only costs 3p in total.

norder · Joined: 16 Nov 2006 Posts: 85

Bringing this to the top in the hopes that someone new may be able to do more searching for the national rate numbers instead of the expensive 0870 room phones.
The link to the forum where people are trying to find "normal" numbers for residences at Lancaster is http://www.saynoto0870.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.cgi?num=1107883109

If anyone feels like trying some of the suggestions please do post. I managed to find one number for Cartmel but nothing yet for County.

Sandra · Joined: 15 Sep 2007 Posts: 23 Location: Norfolk

thanks for this link - forgot to write my son's no down in the bustle of Saturdays drop off but will give the suggestions on the site a go once i do have his number!

Rachel · Joined: 27 Sep 2006 Posts: 24 Location: Lancaster

hello!

I made a few enquiries about the phone problems and apparently the students have been issued with a pack from the Colleges and Residences Office prior to arriving at the university and in each pack there is a Uni-Tel Student Calling Phonecard which is the re-branded version for the DognBone except it has more attractive tariffs. Additionally the porters or College Resisdence Offices should be able to assist or they can ring the switchboard operators.

The old DognBone numbers - 0870 are currently being replaced with 0844 numbers. In some countries, calls to 0844 have been barred by the telephone service provider because the calls attract a higher tariff and therefore you need to get the barring lifted from the telephone service provider at home. As a consequence you are unable to contact the students, the exchange advises you to ring the main line and the operators will connect the callers providing you know the internal number. Outside office hours, there is an automated system where you can key in the room extension number and be connected.
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Jackie · Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Posts: 40 Location: Bradford

Rachel

Is the number we ring - 01524 65201 and then ask them to put us through to our sons internal number?

Rachel · Joined: 27 Sep 2006 Posts: 24 Location: Lancaster

Hi Jackie,

Yep, that's the number to ring.
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Jackie · Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Posts: 40 Location: Bradford

Thanks Rachel

Just tried it, out of hours but just keyed in extension and spoke to my son, cheaper than mobile to mobile.

Sandra · Joined: 15 Sep 2007 Posts: 23 Location: Norfolk

oh good! will try this today! Smile

Jackie · Joined: 29 Sep 2006 Posts: 40 Location: Bradford

dot · Joined: 23 Jul 2007 Posts: 60

the skytpe thing is highly recomended esp if they have webcams - you get to hold a real conversation ( not one that is 20 secs behind all the time)
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now not so new to all of this

Sandra · Joined: 15 Sep 2007 Posts: 23 Location: Norfolk

got straight thro on the uni no and then ext - had prearranged a time to call so as to be sure it would be picked up! Smile

norder · Joined: 16 Nov 2006 Posts: 85

Rachel, you are a star. I wish I'd thought to do that last year.
I had emailed Unitel to try to get a geographic number to ring from abroad but their email doesn't work ; just bounced back.
Many thanks.