[KukkoDrukko]

A few years ago I let a friend borrow my phone to make a call. We were out drinking, and she forgot to dial the area code, so they call went to whoever had the number in that area. She redialed, got who she wanted, and that was that. Not so much though, over the next four months I got a call from this guy, yelling and wondering WHY my number was on his home phone bill. The first month, I explained the dialing error, after figuring out why he was called in the first place. I figured that was that, but he called me three more months, this time wondering why my number was coming up on his outgoing calls! I was pretty nice about it the first two times, but the last time, I didn't pick up... so he kept calling and calling. When I finally picked up, I was pretty jacked, I layed into him. I told him that if he didn't want this number on his bill, he should think REALLY hard next time he gets a bill, and NOT dial this number, then it will disappear forever. It stopped after that.

Um you guys can dial someone on a mobile and not use the area code?

Also why would incoming numbers be listed on a telephone bill?

[Bill-Watson]

DKM, you guys get incoming calls listed as well? I don't get why he would be upset about it anyway?

Pity he wasn't getting diverted to an answer service - every time it was diverted and he got the machine, he'd've been hit up for another call

In the US they often pay to receive calls.

[KukkoDrukko]

In the US they often pay to receive calls.

WTF?

[orison]

Originally Posted by russ18uk In the US they often pay to receive calls.

WTF? Landline, no, we don't pay for incoming calls.

Cellphone, yes. Incoming calls still count torwards the mobile plan's minutes, and will show up on a bill.

[MeatteCen]

WTF?

Bungle, just because we have a custom in this country doesn't mean it will be the same worldwide, so why the WTF?

[MeatteCen]

Um you guys can dial someone on a mobile and not use the area code?

Again Bungle, the whole world doesn't operate the way it does here. Sure, most countries use non-geographical numbers for mobile/cellphones so you always need the area code but a few countries (the USA being one) use the same area codes for landlines and mobile/cellphones.

http://www.howtocallabroad.com/qa/cell.html

[pharweqto]

Cellphone, yes. Incoming calls still count torwards the mobile plan's minutes, and will show up on a bill.

Glad that doesn't happen here - at least pre-paid 'phones will receive calls even when they have no credit left and AFAIK, 'normal' cell phones aren't charged either for the minutes.

[KukkoDrukko]

Bungle, just because we have a custom in this country doesn't mean it will be the same worldwide, so why the WTF?

Because an individual's spending should be entirely under their control, not under that of some random. Why should someone else have control over when another person's money is spent, especially when the recipient has no control over it? Doesn't that mean if someone calls you selling something you get charged? **** that. [thumbdown]

Again Bungle, the whole world doesn't operate the way it does here. Sure, most countries use non-geographical numbers for mobile/cellphones so you always need the area code but a few countries (the USA being one) use the same area codes for landlines and mobile/cellphones.

http://www.howtocallabroad.com/qa/cell.html

How can a mobile have an area code when it's not locked to a single location?

Oh, and I don't know why you get uptight whenever I express surprise at the strange goings on in foreign countries.

[hexniks]

I get about 3 calls a week from this debt collectors service asking for a woman we've never heard of, I keep telling them they have the wrong number and to remove me from the system but yet they keep calling.

Well I would ask to speak to a manager and tell them that they have failed to comply with the rules of data protection and that if they do not remove your number from their list then you will have no choice but to take legal action [thumbup]

Doesn't always work for debt collectors though, once they have your number in their system for someone, they always just assume that you're lying or covering for whomever they're looking for. Speaking to a supervisor may actually work though.

I don't know how debt collection works in the UK, but over here you can tell them that you are issuing a formal request that they cease all communication with you, except by mail. Basically, if you tell them they are not permitted to call you, they must stop. If it's a particularly shady company though, even that may not work and you must send a formal written letter by certified post. Fortunately over here we have laws to protect consumers from that type of harassment.

[hexniks]

Because an individual's spending should be entirely under their control, not under that of some random. Why should someone else have control over when another person's money is spent, especially when the recipient has no control over it? Doesn't that mean if someone calls you selling something you get charged? **** that. [thumbdown]


How can a mobile have an area code when it's not locked to a single location?

Oh, and I don't know why you get uptight whenever I express surprise at the strange goings on in foreign countries.

Well, most cell plans I'm aware of don't charge you for incoming calls that are under one minute, so if you tell someone no or they have the wrong number and hang up, nothing happens. It used to be that any incoming call would count as a minute even if you hung up in a couple seconds. Annoyingly, incoming texts still count towards your text total for your plan, unless it comes directly from your service provider.

Also, over here, cell phones have area codes assigned to them just like land-line phones, and it's based on what are you first setup the phone in, usually based on where the service provider's office is located at where you signed up. Even if you move across the country you keep your same number and area code.

[Bill-Watson]

Because an individual's spending should be entirely under their control, not under that of some random. Why should someone else have control over when another person's money is spent, especially when the recipient has no control over it? Doesn't that mean if someone calls you selling something you get charged? **** that. [thumbdown]

Of course you have control. You either answer or you don't; or you don't buy the mobile in the first place.

[KukkoDrukko]

Well, most cell plans I'm aware of don't charge you for incoming calls that are under one minute, so if you tell someone no or they have the wrong number and hang up, nothing happens. It used to be that any incoming call would count as a minute even if you hung up in a couple seconds.

I see. I don't know if you get it over there, but here it seems to be quite common for telemarketers to ring up then go through a whole spiel before they get round to admitting that they are actually selling something. In fact I've known them to actually lie about it when asked straight out "Are you selling something" at the beginning.


Also, over here, cell phones have area codes assigned to them just like land-line phones, and it's based on what are you first setup the phone in, usually based on where the service provider's office is located at where you signed up. Even if you move across the country you keep your same number and area code. Do you get charged a different rate if you call long distance (or what the system thinks is "long distance"? I mean if you get a mobile, then move far away, and then you call your neighbour do you get charged more for a "long distance" call even though you're only calling next door?

[KukkoDrukko]

Of course you have control. You either answer or you don't; or you don't buy the mobile in the first place.

Unless you know who it is and what they want how can you make that decision? A mobile is pretty much essential these days. People expect you to have one.

[Usendyduexy]

How can a mobile have an area code when it's not locked to a single location?
.

Haha. Oh wow, you have no idea how the phone system works!

Do you get charged a different rate if you call long distance (or what the system thinks is "long distance"? I mean if you get a mobile, then move far away, and then you call your neighbour do you get charged more for a "long distance" call even though you're only calling next door?

Never had a telemarketer call my cell phone.

As for your second part, no. Everyone in the United States costs the same amount of minutes, there is no long distance within the country. Also, calling someone on the same provider doesn't cost anything.

[MeatteCen]

Double post.

[MeatteCen]

Because an individual's spending should be entirely under their control, not under that of some random. Why should someone else have control over when another person's money is spent, especially when the recipient has no control over it?[thumbdown]

Every country has different customs / business practises. I'd rather pay for incoming phonecalls and get cheap petrol. Anyway, it is in their control; they choose whether or not to take out a contract.

How can a mobile have an area code when it's not locked to a single location?

I'm not a telephone engineer, but luckily I do know how to google: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_A...mbering_scheme

Oh, and I don't know why you get uptight whenever I express surprise at the strange goings on in foreign countries.

Because they are only strange to you. They are perfectly normal to people in these foreign countries.

[KukkoDrukko]

Haha. Oh wow, you have no idea how the phone system works!

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_Numbering_Plan#Cellular_services_an d_the_NANP_numbering_scheme[/url]

What I meant was a land line has an area code because it is locked to single location; a mobile is not, it could be anywhere. Therefore you get charged more when calling someone far away on a land line. But as this is not the case in the US the point is moot anyway.

Every country has different customs / business practises. I'd rather pay for incoming phonecalls and get cheap petrol.

What's cheap petrol got to do with phone calls?

Anyway, it is in their control; they choose whether or not to take out a contract. As it seems to be standard practice it is not really under their control as a mobile is pretty much a must have these days.

Because they are only strange to you. They are perfectly normal to people in these foreign countries. Why does that mean I shouldn't express surprise at it?

[Theariwinna]

Bungle, receiving calls in the middle of nowhere is a privilege, and something that can be charged for. Also, every time you made a call from your mobile you could ask them to call back to save minutes as well.

It's just one of those things you might have to pay for. Like you pay to post things, you might also pay to have things delivered to you.

[Bill-Watson]

What I meant was a land line has an area code because it is locked to single location; a mobile is not, it could be anywhere. Therefore you get charged more when calling someone far away on a land line. But as this is not the case in the US the point is moot anyway.




What's cheap petrol got to do with phone calls?

As it seems to be standard practice it is not really under their control as a mobile is pretty much a must have these days.

Why does that mean I shouldn't express surprise at it?

Shock horror: Capitalist economy is out to screw you of your money.

DM's point was that Americans get (much) cheaper fuel but get ripped off on phone calls. I'm sure the money saved on fuel many times over pays for the costs of receiving calls; which, as said, is not always the case. Over here, the cost of receiving calls are subsidised by the cost of making them; over there it isn't.

I swear you are highly autistic Bungle.

[orison]

I see. I don't know if you get it over there, but here it seems to be quite common for telemarketers to ring up then go through a whole spiel before they get round to admitting that they are actually selling something. In fact I've known them to actually lie about it when asked straight out "Are you selling something" at the beginning.

Just to clarify. It may cost us on incoming calls, but it is also illegal for any company to call a cell phone for the purposes of trying to sell something.

In the US, if you even get a single telemarketer call on your cell phone, you can report them.

This is also the same for Text messages as well.