Calling belgium from Amsterdam - A lot

Discussion in 'Belgium' started by T2P, May 24, 2012.

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  1. T2P

    T2P Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2009 Minnesota

    So we are planning a European beer pilgrimage. Part of that is going to be trying to get a reservation for the elusive Westvleteren. Being on a 2 week trip where the call in reservation period is going to place us in Amsterdam, how can I make the multitude of calls to Belgium from Amsterdam without breaking the bank?

    Facts:
    - The method has to have a phone number tied to it because the reservation line does not accept anonymous numbers. No standard calling cards or internet calls allowed.
    - I can probably make about 2-3 calls every 10 seconds. That is upwards of 900calls per hour or 3600 calls in the 4 hour window for reservations. Even at $.03 per call that is $108.00
    - Ideally I could find a solution that I play a flat rate for unlimited calls between the two
    - I have an unlocked phone that supports all four mobile bands.

    Thanks for the advanced help!
     
    #1 T2P, May 24, 2012
  2. doopiedoopiedoo

    doopiedoopiedoo Initiate (0) Oct 2, 2010 Netherlands

    If you get a busy signal you don't get charged, right?
    Only if the call goes through you pay. Or am I not right on that one?
    You could also try to call from the landline from your hotel or wherever you are staying.

    Here's hoping that there will be a pick up and reservation date that will work out for you!
     
    #2 doopiedoopiedoo, May 24, 2012
  3. T2P

    T2P Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2009 Minnesota

    I checked with my US T-Mobile provider and they said from the time the last button is pushed the call is initiated. If there is a sim provider with different terms? As for the hotel, thoughts on how that would be cheaper when it is two different countries?
     
    #3 T2P, May 24, 2012
  4. doopiedoopiedoo

    doopiedoopiedoo Initiate (0) Oct 2, 2010 Netherlands

    Sounds like T-Mobile is quite the rip off. I'm not sure what a hotel would charge, but looking at the website from one of the biggest providers in the Netherlands calling Belgium from a landline is < 9ct per minute but you only pay if you get connected.
     
    #4 doopiedoopiedoo, May 24, 2012
  5. T2P

    T2P Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2009 Minnesota

    Mind sending the link? I would not mind checking into their sim cards. Thanks.
     
    #5 T2P, May 24, 2012
  6. UncleJimbo

    UncleJimbo Grand Pooh-Bah (3,771) Sep 11, 2002 Massachusetts
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    Find a BA in Belgium to make the calls for you, and then you share the beers with him. :slight_smile:
    Or see if you can make arrangements with BA Brabander.
     
    #6 UncleJimbo, May 25, 2012
  7. stupac2

    stupac2 Pooh-Bah (2,031) Feb 22, 2011 California
    Pooh-Bah

    It seems like you'd be much better off just finding someone you can buy it from or trade for it with. Someone offered to sell me Westy, and I managed to trade for two fresh bottles almost by accident (I also got 3 aged bottles, but that was pre-arranged). I think if you want a case there would be easier ways to get one than calling a million times then driving all the way the fuck over.
     
    #7 stupac2, May 25, 2012
  8. Brabander

    Brabander Initiate (0) Oct 10, 2009 Netherlands

    Mail me with some details about your trip and i can see if i can help you out for this. You can buy complete cellphones with a simcard for 20 dollar a piece in Holland. I reccomment to use at least two cellphones to increase your chances to get trough. Maybey your pickupdate will be the same as mine and then we could go as a group to the abbey.....

    This is an example where you could buy such a phone: http://www.phonehouse.nl/prepaid/samsung/e1150/t-mobilesmartstart/

    Shops all over Amsterdam!

    Thijs
     
    #8 Brabander, May 25, 2012
    azorie, doopiedoopiedoo and UncleJimbo like this.
  9. andrejes

    andrejes Crusader (433) Jun 10, 2011 Netherlands

    We don't get charged for this when he don't come though. Try to trade a few! Iám close to Amsterdam
     
    #9 andrejes, May 25, 2012
  10. T2P

    T2P Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2009 Minnesota

    Whoa, thanks for all the response everyone. My email alert must have gotten bypassed. To be honest, I would like to go just to go. I know it could be overhyped and I know that I can get the beer elsewhere but there is something about the accomplishment of a goal that just can't be beat.

    Branbander, I will shoot you an email with the details. That would be great if we could meet up and go together.
     
    #10 T2P, May 26, 2012
    doopiedoopiedoo likes this.
  11. Heretic42

    Heretic42 Savant (1,118) Aug 31, 2011 Texas

    I'm basically trying the same (only my current SIM is Czech) and shooting for a call-in this week for a pick-up of June 6 for 3 cases of 12. I don't know if you (or anyone else on this thread/forum for that matter) is going to be around that week, but if I do manage to get through, I wouldn't mind splitting the cases and/or a rental car.
     
    #11 Heretic42, May 29, 2012
  12. beerpirates

    beerpirates Initiate (0) May 4, 2010 Belgium

    Shhhhhhttt !! :slight_smile:
     
    #12 beerpirates, May 29, 2012
  13. Brabander

    Brabander Initiate (0) Oct 10, 2009 Netherlands

    And......did you get tree crates? I did and i can pick up the three crates on monday the 11th!

    Thijs
     
    #13 Brabander, Jun 3, 2012
    doopiedoopiedoo likes this.
  14. doopiedoopiedoo

    doopiedoopiedoo Initiate (0) Oct 2, 2010 Netherlands

    Crap, tried for 2 hours on and off. Put in 200+ calls. No luck.
     
    #14 doopiedoopiedoo, Jun 3, 2012
  15. Heretic42

    Heretic42 Savant (1,118) Aug 31, 2011 Texas

    If it makes you feel any better, I tried for all 4 hours and got nothing. My consolation prize/purchase is going to be a bunch of Struise and various lambics :stuck_out_tongue:.
     
    #15 Heretic42, Jun 3, 2012
  16. andrejes

    andrejes Crusader (433) Jun 10, 2011 Netherlands

    For me also no luck this time. Try 400+ !! 3 hours! Next time better
     
    #16 andrejes, Jun 3, 2012
  17. Brabander

    Brabander Initiate (0) Oct 10, 2009 Netherlands

    I have the magic fingers, i always get trough on the moinks phone................

    Thijs
     
    #17 Brabander, Jun 3, 2012
  18. UncleJimbo

    UncleJimbo Grand Pooh-Bah (3,771) Sep 11, 2002 Massachusetts
    BA4LYFE Society Pooh-Bah Trader

    I think the 3 Case Limit for the 12 this time brought out a lot more callers!
     
    #18 UncleJimbo, Jun 3, 2012
  19. T2P

    T2P Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2009 Minnesota

    Wow talk about bad luck. We got to Amsterdam and spent day one bumming around and getting acquainted with the city. Day two was museums and the like that we prebooked followed by a sushi dinner at Sumo sushi. At 2am my wife was up with terrible food poisoning and I was with her by 3am. There is also no way it was anything but the sushi's fault based on our eating sperate things. We were bed ridden the next 2 days and so I was not even able to get the sim cards let alone try calling.
    Regardless the trip has been amazing and that is what counts. Spent a half day in Brugge today and so pumped we have a few more left. Here's hoping that the helpfully tips worked in someone's favor. Thanks all!
     
    #19 T2P, Jun 3, 2012
  20. T2P

    T2P Initiate (0) Dec 4, 2009 Minnesota

    Well we are back in the states and what an amazing trip! The weather ended up holding out in Brugge so we took a train to Poperine. From there we biked to the Abby and got to sample some of the best beer around. I really liked the 12 but both the wife and I think the 8 is where it is at. They were even selling 6ers so we picked up 12 mixed bottles and 6 glasses for souvenirs. Inbrugge I highly recommend checking out Straffe Hendricks. Amazing beer and the brewery tour.was fantastic. Thanks again for all the help and pictures to come soon.
     
    #20 T2P, Jun 22, 2012
    Brabander and doopiedoopiedoo like this.
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