BT caller display charges on BT privacy

Canny_mal · 12 February 2007 at 11:40AM

I signed up last year to BT privacy in order to get free caller display. I have just had my latest bill and this time I have been charged £4.46 plus VAT for it.

I am aware that from Oct 1st last year that if you don't make at least 6 chargable calls per quarter you will be charged £1.75 a month for it.

However, I made 6 calls as per BT's requirements and these appear on my bill.

Has anyone else been charged for it dispite adearing to BT's minimum call requirements?

ila · 13 February 2007 at 11:35AM

I've been charged but did not make any chargeable calls so cannot really complain.

My charge is right at the start of the quarter so I wonder if it is in arrears - did you also make the 6 calls in the previous quarter? If you did I would challenge the charge

(This is what BT website says:From 1st October 2006 customers who do not make some chargeable calls with BT will be charged for BT Caller Display.

Customers with other call providers can still benefit from BT Caller Display at no extra cost, if the following calls are made. Customers who bill monthly must make at least two chargeable calls with BT in that month, otherwise BT reserves the right to charge £1.75 a month for BT Caller Display. Customers who bill every three months must make at least six chargeable calls within those three months, otherwise BT reserves the right to charge £5.25 a quarter.

If you do not currently make calls with BT and would like to start making your calls with us, please call 0800 121 8088. Alternatively, if you would like to make one-off calls that are chargeable to your BT bill, then simply dial the numbers 1280 before you dial the phone number you wish to call. )

Canny_mal · 13 February 2007 at 11:57AM

I rang them up and after holding for 20 mins I finally got to speak to someone who agreed that it was a mistake on their part and refunded me the £5.25.

I said I hope I won't be having to do this every quarter and they assured me I wouldn't but I won't be holding my breath!

molerat · 15 February 2007 at 9:00PM

Just got charged on my bill and was told that it was because I did not make all calls with BT, not that I had not made enough calls. I have made 6 calls and have been charged for them. He said that it would be refunded this time but I would have to call to get it removed each time.:mad: I don't think he really had a clue.

sallysaver · 17 February 2007 at 11:16AM

Hi,
Yes I too have been charged £4.46 + VAT and interestingly it is itemised as 'One-off charges'. What a joke. Clearly BT don't understand plain english. I have contacted BT this morning and 'Sidhart' has told me I need to make 4 calls per month or 12 calls per quarter in order to have caller display FREE and when I said I had never made any calls through BT and it had always been free (I was aware you had to make 1 call per quarter when it first became available but I didn't and it has never been charged for) he told me this new charging only commenced in January 2007. However, he has assured me it has been removed from my account BUT I must make the calls for it to be free in future. As Molerat has already said, I don't think they have a clue. Up to now, I seem to be the only subscriber who has been told it is 4 calls per month/12 calls per quarter. This could turn into an interesting thread!!!! Regards - Sally

sicker · 17 February 2007 at 11:50AM

Sally, have a look at 'bt free caller display' in google. I think you will find that BT may charge if you don't make (some) chargeable calls with BT.

John

utilitybroker · 17 February 2007 at 12:44PM

Its all explained here :

http://www2.bt.com/static/i/btretail/consumer/btprivacy/index.html

"From 1st October 2006 customers who do not make some chargeable calls with BT will be charged for BT Caller Display.

Customers with other call providers can still benefit from BT Caller Display at no extra cost, if the following calls are made. Customers who bill monthly must make at least two chargeable calls with BT in that month, otherwise BT reserves the right to charge £1.75 a month for BT Caller Display. Customers who bill every three months must make at least six chargeable calls within those three months, otherwise BT reserves the right to charge £5.25 a quarter"

Also the same rules will apply to free 1571 voicemail from 1/5/2007.

sallysaver · 18 February 2007 at 5:50PM

Hi,
Thank you utilitybroker for the info. Clearly, although Sidhart was away from the phone a long time, he has given me duff info. I have line rental only with BT. Calls are from Onetel (Talk-Talk) although I only use them weekends because they are free, other times I use 1899. So, going on your info, I only need to make 6 calls per quarter in order to qualify? Off to check the callchecker now to see when its cheapest to use BT! Regards - sally

Heinz · 18 February 2007 at 6:01PM

sallysaver wrote:

Off to check the callchecker now to see when its cheapest to use BT!

The cheapest is to use the 1280 prefix for six 01 or 02 calls of less than an hour between 6pm and 6am on a weekday or at any time during the weekend. Each such call costs 5½p (4½p from 1/8/07).

Hence, (nearly) free Caller Display for 33p/quarter (27p from 1/8/07)!

sallysaver · 18 February 2007 at 9:23PM

Hi, Thanks for the info Heinz. Is the alternative 6 x3p per minute calls during the day and stay on for less than a minute. i.e. 18p + 3.15pVAT. each quarter? Is there any connection charge? Regards - sally

Heinz · 18 February 2007 at 9:40PM

sallysaver wrote:

Hi, Thanks for the info Heinz. Is the alternative 6 x3p per minute calls during the day and stay on for less than a minute. i.e. 18p + 3.15pVAT. each quarter? Is there any connection charge? Regards - sally

The minimum price of a daytime UK 01/02 call on BT is 6p now (3p 'call set-up fee' + 3p for the first minute).

From 1/8/07 though, the doubling in the 'call set-up fee' and the increase in the 'per minute' rate will mean the minimum price of a daytime UK 01/02 call on BT will be 9.25p (6p 'call set-up fee' + 3.25p for the first minute).

BT caller display charges on BT privacy

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