I have experience of NatWest and the domino effect of these branch closures and BM's losing their jobs. Long story short, I've left this sinking ship and "switched". They have lost the plot and how to treat customers.

Thanks for the added information. I'm pleased to hear this "These numbers will in future be used mostly for chargeable services such as conference calling, international call gateways, recorded information lines and so on." I'm sure the greed of the big companies will still break through! Cheers TG

Hello all, I hate being charged for a "service" when a company only allows calls to them through premium numbers like 0844 and the like. Somebody told me that in June 2014 companies MUST not use 0844 numbers when a customer rings them for "service" or a related enquiry. The source also gave me this link/message. I would like to know if this is all true and we can phone companies who previously "fleeced" us when all we wanted is some advice/report a problem/change details? The ref is here gov.uk - under "the-consumer-contracts-information-cancellation-and-additional-payments-regulations-2013" Charges for communication by telephone 39. — (1) Paragraph (2) applies where a trader makes a telephone number available by which a consumer may contact the trader about a contract concluded with the trader. (2) The number must be one of the following— (a) a geographic number; (b) a mobile number; © a non-geographic number to which, under the OFCOM requirements, calls must be free of charge; (d) a number to which, under the OFCOM requirements, calls may not be charged at more than the rate for calls to a geographic number. (3) Paragraph (2) does not apply if the contract is for passenger transport services. (4) In this regulation— (a) “geographic number”, “mobile number” and “non-geographic number” have the meaning given by the NTNP; (b) “OFCOM requirements” means the requirements of the NTNP and the general conditions set by the Office of Communications under section 45 of the Communications Act 2003; and the “NTNP” means the National Telephone Numbering Plan as published from time to time by the Office of Communications under section 56 of the Communications Act 2003. /COLOR] Charges for communication by telephone 39. — (1) Paragraph (2) applies where a trader makes a telephone number available by which a consumer may contact the trader about a contract concluded with the trader. (2) The number must be one of the following— (a) a geographic number; (b) a mobile number; © a non-geographic number to which, under the OFCOM requirements, calls must be free of charge; (d) a number to which, under the OFCOM requirements, calls may not be charged at more than the rate for calls to a geographic number. (3) Paragraph (2) does not apply if the contract is for passenger transport services. (4) In this regulation— (a) “geographic number”, “mobile number” and “non-geographic number” have the meaning given by the NTNP; (b) “OFCOM requirements” means the requirements of the NTNP and the general conditions set by the Office of Communications under section 45 of the Communications Act 2003; and the “NTNP” means the National Telephone Numbering Plan as published from time to time by the Office of Communications under section 56 of the Communications Act 2003. ===== Does it really mean we can't be fleeced by 0870 and 0844 type numbers anymore after June 2014 ? Thanks TG

Hi "Silverfox1961", My goodness that was a brilliantly quick response and a lovely welcome - many thanks. I am now in the happy position knowing what the score is now - thank you once again. Kindest wishes, TG

Hello good folks, I bought a new digital kitchen weighing machine for Christmas (2103) which became unserviceable due to one of the feet coming adrift. I took it back to the shop where I bought it, and the shop replaced it with another unit of the same make - for which I was delighted. My question is, does this new unit carry its own guarantee for a one year (i.e. from the day I collected it as a replacement), or as suggested, the first unit carries on the original guarantee thus two months have been used and only another 10 remain for this new unit to perform flawlessly?