Telephone Numbers

[tearinghair]

Are 0300 numbers free? I've tried three times to contact HMRC, and given up after 20, 10 and 12 minutes respectively, but I do need to speak to someone if possible. The 'please hold' music is dreadful and the whole process is reminding me how appropriate my username is.

[fiction-factory]

http://consumers.ofcom.org.uk/phone/numbering/what-are-03-numbers/
But I think it depends whether it's a mobile or who your landline provider is

[gingejbee]

You'll be charged the same as an 01 and 02 number....so, if you get 01 and 02 numbers in a calls package at no extra charge, it'll be the same for 03.

[tearinghair]

Many thanks fiction-factory and gingejbee. That is so annoying; I hoped they might be the same as 0800 numbers, and I think they should be when they involve government departments. At the very least they should have enough staff to answer within a couple of minutes, and I do dislike the time-wasting at the beginning - all increasing the cost - giving extra information when all I want to do is speak to an advisor quickly and know already that I can't find what I want on the website. Grrr!