Beware Horsemart, cost you ££££££s!

Red-1

Red-1

I used to be decisive, now I'm not so sure...
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I was browsing another thread about a possible fraudulent advert when I came across the Horsemart "privacy number".

PRIVACY NUMBER???????? When on earth did that come in??????

The "Privacy number" is a number allocated by Horsemart that connects with your phone, so you are not revealing your phone number to the general internet.

I had a look at Horsemart's conditions, and they admit that the privacy number is to fund the free adverts. I thought advertising did that? There is a minimum charge of 50p per MINUTE (BT line) and for mobiles contact your provider to find out the cost.

The advertiser can no longer choose to have their own number, even if they would prefer that.

The call costs 50p even if the advertiser is no longer using the number, and you pay to recieve a message telling you that. If you do connect you pay 50p per minute until you disconnect.

The phone number is printed in a relatively accessible place (click on large link labelled "CALL NOW click to reveal number" on the advert), but there is no clue that this will cost you a huge amount. The conditions detailing that this is a premium cost number are harder to find, necessitating to click through to another link.

Once you have the phone number I doubt many people are interested in clicking more links, especially when it is just labelled "more info" with no clue that it involves £££££ costs.

I can imagine that a whole load of people have rung up about horses, and maybe spent a modest 20 minutes confirming details, making an appointment and getting directions, only to find an unexpected £10 bill on their phone bills.

Phone up about a few horses and that will soon add up!

I agree the advert featured in the other thread is probably a scam, but the much bigger scam, IMO, seems to be the "new" procedure on Horsemart!

I would not mind the charge so much if it was clearly stated WITH the number that the call would be 50p per MINUTE. At least you would have the option to have the seller call you back by a cheaper means, or to choose not to call at al.

I for one will never use this site again!!!

Read more at http://www.horseandhound.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?683837-Is-this-for-real-!#m6x7l8vItfFWUAeG.99

See the terms and conditions on http://www.horsemart.co.uk/privacy_numbers.php#HoYwGH1MM1WkJfGV.97
 
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Agree with you. Not only is it a scam to gain extra revenue, but it prevents the number from being googled to see what other horses they've sold, etc. Even using the email contact form still keeps the seller identity hidden.
Seriously, who would contact an anonamous person without knowing if they were a dodgy dealer or a money laundering con artist ?
 
I think Horsemart have just shot themselves in the foot. When word gets out nobody will want to phone and what's the point of a free advert if it doesn't get any response.Even the scammers won't want to use it.
 
Thats such a shame, I used to prefer horsemart for advertising since preloved tends to attract undesirables and timewasters/day dreamers :(
 
I think this should be reported to Trading Standards. I seem to recall that the terms of a contract have to be clear and plain to see without going through a load of links.
 
Dry Rot said:
I think this should be reported to Trading Standards. I seem to recall that the terms of a contract have to be clear and plain to see without going through a load of links.
Click to expand...

I did wonder this, it would only seem fair that the price was visible with the phone number.

If I had rung a number I would be furious.
 
Isn't this just the same deal that Free-ads, Friday ads and a number of others have used for years? Buyers should use the premium rate number initially, and immediately ask for contact details for the seller, phoning back on the cheaper number. It's a small price to pay for a free advertising service.
 
pennyturner said:
Isn't this just the same deal that Free-ads, Friday ads and a number of others have used for years? Buyers should use the premium rate number initially, and immediately ask for contact details for the seller, phoning back on the cheaper number. It's a small price to pay for a free advertising service.
Click to expand...

Firstly friday ad and horsemart are the same company. I don't think its the charging per se more the fact it is not clearly shown what the charges are. They are cleverly disguising them to look like a normal mobile number. People should be aware what they are paying and allowed to choose if they wish to continue.
 
pennyturner said:
Isn't this just the same deal that Free-ads, Friday ads and a number of others have used for years? Buyers should use the premium rate number initially, and immediately ask for contact details for the seller, phoning back on the cheaper number. It's a small price to pay for a free advertising service.
Click to expand...

yes its very common and has been for years
 
pennyturner said:
Isn't this just the same deal that Free-ads, Friday ads and a number of others have used for years? Buyers should use the premium rate number initially, and immediately ask for contact details for the seller, phoning back on the cheaper number. It's a small price to pay for a free advertising service.
Click to expand...


It may be free advertising but it will be costing the potential buyers if they do not know it costs 50p per minute, I certainly was not aware of this although nowadays I rarely look when buying or use Horsemart if selling as I don't like the site, I think the sellers should be paying to advertise rather than the buyers it is the wrong way round and seems unfair if they don't explain the fact it will be costing so much to call.
I have frequently been on the phone for up to an hour when selling, a very expensive call for someone unaware of the true cost.
 
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