Phone lines

Many companies like to use special rate phone numbers, and many will only give you those contact numbers - even BBC TV licensing do it.
These numbers have costs which are often not noticed, until you get your phone bill. With these numbers making profit for the company being called, they can sometimes make more money by selling faulty goods and charging you to complain via that number.

It is worth remembering that most companies using premium and mobile numbers will also have local, lo-call or even free numbers available. They just don't make it too public, as the high rate numbers put people off and make money from those who are not put off.
You may be able to find an alternative number in directories, Yellow Pages or on their Web site. Companies are more likely to display a free number when they are touting for business - so look for advertisements.
You can also look up alternative numbers at SayNoTo0870.com. This is not an official site, it may simply be set up by opponents of the 0870 racket - so please check that any number given is correct.

As the premium rate and free numbers may link to the same call centre, the staff may not be aware which you are on - and may keep messing you about in the belief that they are making money from you. Some staff do not even know that the free or lo-call numbers exist.
If complaining, consider whether you want to keep running up their costs, or tell them that you are on their free number so that they may get moving.