expensive NTL? 30 October 2005 at 8:25AM in Phones & TV 10 replies 707 views

MIRRY_2

Hi people,

I am not happy with my NTL bill, I have the family pack for my tv and a phone line (that I hardly ever use ).
My bills seem really expensive totalling £45 for a month!

It says family pack £30
and the rest non itemised calls and free line rental totalling £15

I would like to get rid of the tv but the kids absolutely love NICKTOONS.....does anyone know how i can get this cannel for the kids without paying out so much,, i just cant afford to go on like this.

thanks

bbb_uk

You can probably cut down on the £15 in call charges by using www.call1899.com where geographical calls (those beginning 01 & 02) are only 3p per call (not per minute). You access Call1899.com via your NTL line by dialling a freephone number first and then the number of your choice.

You can use an Orchid Dialler (see here) that can route the calls to Call1899 for you automatically without having to remember to call their freephone number. The Orchid Dialler can even be setup to block calls of your choice which you can choose to override by dialling an override code (default 121). This may stop the kids from ringing mobiles, etc (assuming that's where most of your call charges come from).

If you have free calls during the weekend which is available on some most of NTL's tariffs (I think) then you can setup the Orchid Dialler to only use Call1899 for daytime and evening calls only and use NTL for the weekend calls.

MIRRY_2

Thanks for your help kev, all the numbers i phone are 023 area codes.
when i sign up to 1899 do they give me the freephone number i need to dial in front of my regular number ?

sorry I sound dim but I find this confusing.

Heinz

MIRRY wrote:

when i sign up to 1899 do they give me the freephone number i need to dial in front of my regular number?

Yes, see HERE.

Don't forget you'll have to dial the full number (including the UK STD code) when you use 1899.

MIRRY_2

thanks, one last question ......
if 1899 bill me for the calls i make does it effect my NTL service at all?

because i get free line rental on my phone with NTL will this still apply if i am using 1899.

many thanks for your help.

xxxxxx

Heinz

MIRRY wrote:

thanks, one last question ......
if 1899 bill me for the calls i make does it effect my NTL service at all?

Yes, you won't be paying NTL so much in future.

Of course, they're still ripping you off because their TV pack (Family Pack) is £19.50 - so the so-called free telephone line is costing you £10.50 really!

MIRRY_2

Just checked it out and your right the family pack is £19.50 so why am i charged £30 for it! CANT BELIEVE IT i have been over charged for over a year....or is the £19.50 just for newbies ?

Heinz

MIRRY wrote:

Just checked it out and your right the family pack is £19.50 so why am i charged £30 for it! CANT BELIEVE IT i have been over charged for over a year....or is the £19.50 just for newbies ?

No, you have to read the small print. In this case, just below those those offer boxes is the explanation of the * beside each price.

It says

*Price excludes £10.50 phone line rental which you must take with your TV Pack

On the other hand, for £29.99, they have their Talk Unlimited & Family Pack and, on that, you would be able to make evening and weekend calls to any 01/02 numbers for nothing (so you'd only have to use 1899 during the day on wekdays).

I think NTL are taking a leaf out of BT's book and making their 'packages' so diverse and complex that few people realise they could get the same facilities cheaper if they changed.

novice

i signed up for 3 for £30 broadband, tele, and phone line, already had broadband and phone line they said for another £1 50 per month i could have tele as well. So said yes i would give it a try. Got my bill was charged £19 50 for family pack i said yes but i only wanted basic tele package yes but this month it comes with free family pack which you have to pay £19 50 for. Not free at all. They are money grabbing. So insted of £30 for all three I paid £50 odd pounds, disgusting.

MIRRY_2

I think you are both correct because they do not make any of this clear at all...shouldnt be allowed!
Now I am thinking of just getting rid of the TV packages all together and just keep the phone....suppose that will be £10.50 line rental and then what ever I use (but I will be using the 1899 service) then get a free view box.

Bet my monthly bill wont top ! £15 for all that ! instead of £45 for NTL.

bbb_uk

If you are outside your 12month minimum term then see the "Make the Call" thread here about having NTL possibly reduce your bills by threatening to leave them.