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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect a call to the police on the non emergency number 101 to be free?

87 replies

Pseudonym99 · 08/02/2017 15:21

Just received my mobile phone bill. It was 30p more than the fixed price for my bundle. I was charged 15p for 2 calls to 101 I made when I called in a horse on the loose, then again to report it was no longer a danger after another responsible member of the public stopped their car to deal with it? It was dark, on a county lane and icy, I considered it a danger to traffic so thought I'd better report it.

WIBU next time to ring 999 or just not bother? Shouldn't Vodafone and the police advertise the fact that you have to pay for these calls?

OP posts:
harderandharder2breathe · 08/02/2017 15:43

It's 30p.

PleasantPhesant · 08/02/2017 15:44

Ywbvu to call 999

And it's 30p at the end of the day. You did a good deed but the phone line isn't free

moggle · 08/02/2017 15:45

Are you kidding me, you would rather take up resource and time on 999 line for the sake of 15p?!
Having said that, TBH I would say the initial call was probably borderline anyway, you probably could've called 999.

Also... did you put the link in for Vodafone, or did mumsnet? Or do I have some kind of ad software installed - can anyone else see it?

Spartak · 08/02/2017 15:47

I would have thought they would have been free. It means that if someone was out of credit then they wouldn't be able to call.

PleasantPhesant · 08/02/2017 15:51

I can't see anything moggle but my db believes that phones have the software to listen to what you say and advertise what's relevant completely not sure if that's true

moggle · 08/02/2017 15:52

I've just read in Site Stuff it's a new thing called Skimlinks :-(

PleasantPhesant · 08/02/2017 15:53

Makes more sense than the listening phone....

Redglitter · 08/02/2017 15:54

Why should they be free? 101 is the equivekant of phoning your local police station. I can believe anyone would seriously grudge 15p for a call ffs. You would be extremely unreasonable to tie up a 999 line for the sake of 15p

Original poster
Pseudonym99 · 08/02/2017 16:04

Well, ok. Maybe not free. But included within my minutes? But if I'm going to be charged, surely a pre-recorded message should be used?

OP posts:
Original poster
Pseudonym99 · 08/02/2017 16:05

Also... did you put the link in for Vodafone, or did mumsnet? Or do I have some kind of ad software installed - can anyone else see it?

I didn't put the link in. It happened automatically.

OP posts:
Ifailed · 08/02/2017 16:06

You made a phone call and were charged for it? Whatever next, paying in a shop?

Original poster
Pseudonym99 · 08/02/2017 16:06

Having said that, TBH I would say the initial call was probably borderline anyway, you probably could've called 999.

But on that note, surely the second call was borderline as well, as otherwise resources may have been sent to a situation that was no longer a danger?

OP posts:
NotYoda · 08/02/2017 16:06

Oh Give Over

Original poster
Pseudonym99 · 08/02/2017 16:07

Skimlinks

So V odafone are getting advertising from me for being arseholes?

OP posts:
MrsTerryPratchett · 08/02/2017 16:07

I think it should be included in the minutes. Why shouldn't it be?

Original poster
Pseudonym99 · 08/02/2017 16:08

You made a phone call and were charged for it? Whatever next, paying in a shop?

I've had to pay twice - once in my bundle, and again for the individual call.

OP posts:
PleasantPhesant · 08/02/2017 16:12

You could ask Vodafone to waive the charge? I wouldn't but if you're very naffed off you could ask.

Is the Vodafone customer services contact number free? Please check before phoning

NikaKaKa · 08/02/2017 16:12

OP i understand what you mean but it seems PP don't!

Like you, I would expect a call to 101 to be included in my minutes just as if I were to dial a landline or mobile number. There shouldn't be a charge as if you had call an 0845 number.

There should definitely be a warning to be fair!

NikaKaKa · 08/02/2017 16:13

should note that I meant previous posters when I said PP and not PleasantPhesant

Eevee77 · 08/02/2017 16:13

I don't think YABU. I'm on giffgaff and can't spend beyond my free minutes unless I top up my phone. I had to phone 101 for an abandoned car once and I couldn't and it really surprised me.

Redglitter · 08/02/2017 16:14

It was only 15p a call and really how often is it going to be something you do. Is it really tgat much of a problem

The police forces just now can't cover basic costs there's no way they could absorb the costs of 101 calls if they were free.

Original poster
Pseudonym99 · 08/02/2017 16:14

Ywbvu to call 999

So, it is better to have traffic bombing round dark country lanes at night, with no streetlights, on an icy road, with a horse hiding behind the next bend? When a call to 999 might prevent people being killed. What is 999 for, then?

OP posts:
MyKidsHaveTakenMySanity · 08/02/2017 16:14

I wouldn't give a hoot about 30p BUT, I do think that it should automatically in free call bundles. Not sure why it isn't.

Meh. It's 30p. Hopefully you will never in your life need to call 101 ever again.

MirandaWest · 08/02/2017 16:17

I'd have thought it would be included in your bundle. Had no idea it wouldn't be

luckylucky24 · 08/02/2017 16:18

YANBU 101 should not be chargeable outside your free minutes.