0800 Reverse

0800 Reverse is a reverse charge (collect) call service that provides reverse charge calls within the United Kingdom. The service is operated by Reverse Corp Ltd[1]. An 0800 Reverse charge call is placed by dialing the phoneword 0800 REVERSE (i.e. 0800 7383773), and the number can be dialled as a freecall from most out-of-credit mobile phones, and most fixed land lines.[2] 0800 Reverse has been advertised in television campaigns featuring Holly Valance[3], and the service is advertised on many phone boxes throughout the United Kingdom.

Contents

Complaints

In 2007, a complaint was raised with the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA), that the terms and conditions of the 0800 Reverse service were not made sufficiently apparent in their television advertisements. The ASA decided that the cost was likely to influence a viewer's decision to use the service and a recipient's decision whether to accept a call. They found that the call charge information was not sufficiently legible for it to be easily absorbed by viewers in one viewing, and ordered that the onscreen text regarding pricing be made more prominent.[4]

The service was also the subject of a Watchdog investigation due to its high charges, and failure to inform users of its cost.

Alternatives

An alternative is to dial 100 (i.e. the BT operator) from any payphone, and ask to make a reverse charge call[5]
08000MUMDAD also provides reverse charge calls to mobile and land lines in the United Kingdom.

Other Countries

Australia

A related service also operates in Australia, using the number 1800 REVERSE. The number can be called for free from fixed land lines and on some mobile networks.

Republic of Ireland

A related service also operates under the name 1800 Reverse, in the Republic of Ireland. It provides reverse charge calls from most mobiles, fixed lines or pay phones to most land lines and mobiles.[6]

France and Spain

Similar services in Spain (900-REVERTIDO) and France (0800-APPELPCV) are also planned[7]

International

8000 Reverse[8] is an international reverse charge service, provided by Reverse Corp Ltd[9]. It allows international reverse charge calls to be made back to fixed land lines in the United Kingdom or Australia. It is accessed by dialing the relevant international call prefix, followed by the number 8000 REVERSE (i.e. 8000 7383773).[10]

References

  1. ^ [1] - Reverse Corp Ltd Website
  2. ^ [2] - Why Use 0800 Reverse?
  3. ^ [3] - 0800 Reverse Television Advertisement
  4. ^ [4] - ASA Adjudication on 0800 Reverse Pty Ltd
  5. ^ [5] - BT Reverse Charge Call
  6. ^ [6] - 1800 Reverse (Ireland) Website: About Us
  7. ^ [7] Reverse Corp Ltd Full Year Results Presentation, June 2008
  8. ^ [8] - 8000 Reverse Website
  9. ^ [9] - Reverse Corp Ltd Website
  10. ^ [10] 8000 Reverse Access Codes

External links