Comments: The search for the most dreadful corporate website
I've always felt that way about the postcode finder and sent an email to them complaining about it. I got a standard email as a response. They're the ones who go on about "pass on your postcode" after all!
Their reasoning is that they can sell postcode-finding software to businesses who may need to look up hundreds of postcodes a day, so they want to limit usage of the technology. I'm not defending them, I think it's very shabby...
I'm with you on the Royal Mail one actually. Completely impossible. But any website that doesn't have the 'Contact Us' tab loud and clear at the top of the page should get a spanking.
Posted by Katherine on 24 February, 2005 at 2:18 PM
I've been arguing with the BBC about their 'complaints' line being an 0870 number. To fuel my argument, I found this:
Elsie - saynoto0870 (link in post) gives the following geographic numbers for the BBC:
BBC 0207 5804468 Main switchboard; ask for dept. required
BBC 0208 7438000 TV Centre Switchboard; ask for required person/programme/dept.
Always use that website to get a geographic number, then you can use 18866 com to make an any-length call for 1p. My landline phone bill last month was down to £3.50 (which included 40 hours on the phone, including to mobiles - mostly work I hasten to add).
Posted by Blue Witch on 24 February, 2005 at 4:47 PM
Witchy, I know this already, thank you very much. I had already contacted them via a landbased line but was adding to my complaint, a further complaint about their line being an 0870 number. For information purposes for others, if you were to look at the list, you'll get a good idea that it's not just 0870 numbers to be aware of.
Thanks Elsie for that link - I've taken the liberty of putting it up above, as I'm sure most people just aren't aware of these charges.
Posted by Blue Witch on 24 February, 2005 at 5:25 PM
That website is horrible... text floating where it shouldn't be, broken links; eugh.
I shall hunt for a worse website tomorrow (which is kind of handy coz I'm doing research for a website I'm working on at the moment) and see if I can dredge one up. It'll be tough going though.
I just ring from work - then my calls are free, and they are open. As I am out of the house all day (07.15-18.45) M-F. this is the only time I can ring and speak to someone who knows what they are talking about.
If I ring a 24 hour line in the evening I end up speaking to a call center in India. A total waste of time.
.........
Another hint. In most cases if you Ignore the auto attendant messages you will end up speaking to a real person.
.........
Posted by loopydoop on 25 February, 2005 at 12:22 AM
Its not just the Royal Mail site that you have to register on.
I think that applies to most sites.
Posted by loopydoop on 25 February, 2005 at 12:23 AM
It's slightly ironic that the saynotto0870.com site has a little blurb that says
"As awarded Website Of The Day by BBC Radio 2, and also featured
on the BBC Radio 2's Jeremy Vine show and The Guardian."
When the BBC uses 0870 numbers as hightlighted by Elsie. :-)
Posted by Douglas on 27 February, 2005 at 3:46 PM
RM website is awful.
The track and trace feature is completely useless. I tried to track a parcel which was being sent to me and was confronted with the message "A parcel can only be tracked after it has been delivered"! Naturally i thought, 'Err, well after it has been delivered i'll know where it is... in my hands!'
I had this on my mind all day, trying to figure out a practical use for the Track and Trace facility: The tool that tells you that you've recieved a parcel!
I've always felt that way about the postcode finder and sent an email to them complaining about it. I got a standard email as a response. They're the ones who go on about "pass on your postcode" after all!
Their reasoning is that they can sell postcode-finding software to businesses who may need to look up hundreds of postcodes a day, so they want to limit usage of the technology. I'm not defending them, I think it's very shabby...
Posted by witho on 24 February, 2005 at 12:23 PMI'm with you on the Royal Mail one actually. Completely impossible. But any website that doesn't have the 'Contact Us' tab loud and clear at the top of the page should get a spanking.
Posted by Katherine on 24 February, 2005 at 2:18 PMI've been arguing with the BBC about their 'complaints' line being an 0870 number. To fuel my argument, I found this:
http://www.bt.com/Pricing/pis_info.jsp?PRICE_OPTION=Residential/PIS_Specialised_Numbers/innertext&showsub=PIS_Residential&showsub2=PIS_Specialised_Numbers&c_index=
which, if the link works, is a breakdown of how much each different number charges you.
Posted by Elsie on 24 February, 2005 at 4:27 PMElsie - saynoto0870 (link in post) gives the following geographic numbers for the BBC:
BBC 0207 5804468 Main switchboard; ask for dept. required
BBC 0208 7438000 TV Centre Switchboard; ask for required person/programme/dept.
Always use that website to get a geographic number, then you can use 18866 com to make an any-length call for 1p. My landline phone bill last month was down to £3.50 (which included 40 hours on the phone, including to mobiles - mostly work I hasten to add).
Posted by Blue Witch on 24 February, 2005 at 4:47 PMWitchy, I know this already, thank you very much. I had already contacted them via a landbased line but was adding to my complaint, a further complaint about their line being an 0870 number. For information purposes for others, if you were to look at the list, you'll get a good idea that it's not just 0870 numbers to be aware of.
Posted by Elsie on 24 February, 2005 at 4:55 PMThanks Elsie for that link - I've taken the liberty of putting it up above, as I'm sure most people just aren't aware of these charges.
Posted by Blue Witch on 24 February, 2005 at 5:25 PMThat website is horrible... text floating where it shouldn't be, broken links; eugh.
I shall hunt for a worse website tomorrow (which is kind of handy coz I'm doing research for a website I'm working on at the moment) and see if I can dredge one up. It'll be tough going though.
Posted by Splee on 24 February, 2005 at 11:54 PMI just ring from work - then my calls are free, and they are open. As I am out of the house all day (07.15-18.45) M-F. this is the only time I can ring and speak to someone who knows what they are talking about.
Posted by loopydoop on 25 February, 2005 at 12:22 AMIf I ring a 24 hour line in the evening I end up speaking to a call center in India. A total waste of time.
.........
Another hint. In most cases if you Ignore the auto attendant messages you will end up speaking to a real person.
.........
Its not just the Royal Mail site that you have to register on.
Posted by loopydoop on 25 February, 2005 at 12:23 AMI think that applies to most sites.
It's slightly ironic that the saynotto0870.com site has a little blurb that says
Posted by Douglas on 27 February, 2005 at 3:46 PM"As awarded Website Of The Day by BBC Radio 2, and also featured
on the BBC Radio 2's Jeremy Vine show and The Guardian."
When the BBC uses 0870 numbers as hightlighted by Elsie. :-)
RM website is awful.
The track and trace feature is completely useless. I tried to track a parcel which was being sent to me and was confronted with the message "A parcel can only be tracked after it has been delivered"! Naturally i thought, 'Err, well after it has been delivered i'll know where it is... in my hands!'
I had this on my mind all day, trying to figure out a practical use for the Track and Trace facility: The tool that tells you that you've recieved a parcel!
Posted by Andrew on 4 September, 2006 at 12:18 PM