Is BT Evening and weekend the better option?

Tribulation

Currently waiting for my V4+ box to arrive and have signed up to 18185

Have read Heinz's guide and so far have told BT to reduce my calling package to just unlimited weekend plan.

Was going to go the Primus route, but on reading the thread about "Changes to BT 1280", I'm a bit dubious. I'm trying to save money here, have already spent £19.48 on my V4 box, the last thing I want is to find Primus has changed to WCA without telling me and I get a much higher bill than expected.

If I understand BT's charges correctly, for the same price as their free weekend plan, if I opt for paperless bills and as I pay by DD, if I enter into a 12month contract (auto renewing), I get their evening and weekend package for the same cost.

If I further understand it correctly, by being on this package, I don't pay any connection cost for such calls where as with 18185, while the calls are free, I still pay 5p connection for each one?

So I presume that at present, I would be better choosing the BT evening and weekend route?

many thanks

Quentin

There is no connection charge for any "free" calls (evening/weekend), but 18185 comes into use for daytime weekday calls.

Heinz

Oh dear, you didn't get the 20% MSE discount (if you had, the V4+ would only have cost £15.98).

But, yes, you're right. BT's (free) Unlimited Evening & Weekend Plan is similar to Primus Saver. The only real difference is each BT call is limited to 60 minutes and each Primus call is limited to 90 minutes.

If the call length and calls (or diverts) to mobiles capped at 20p each don't worry you, stick with BT and the program will work fine.

Tribulation

Thanks, I did get the discount, but there's postage on top

Order Item 1 , Part No : V4+ , Description : V4 + LCR Dialler , Quantity : 1 , Unit Cost : 13.6 , Tax Rate : 17.5% ,

Total delivery is 3.50
Total tax is 2.38
The total order value is 19.48

Tribulation

Just had an email from BT saying that I'm stuck in their Unlimited anytime plan for another 3 months

Tribulation

Just had yet another email from them telling me they're talking rubbish and have now changed my plan


First responce from them was

Dear Mr. xxx,

Thank you for your e-mail dated 6/8/08 about Calling Plan.

With regards to your e-mail, I would like to confirm to you that I have reviewed your BT account details and found that you are on Unlimited Anytime Plan free UK Anytime calls for 3 months and if you will change the plan from Unlimited Anytime Plan free UK Anytime calls for 3 months to Unlimited Evening & Weekend Plan then you have to pay the cancellation charges which will be the total rent of the remaining period of the contract term.

Therefore I suggest you to do not downgrade you calling plan before the end of the contract. Even if you want to downgrade the calling plan just reply me.

to which I replied

Many thanks

In that case I'll leave it as it is for now and decide in 3 months if I want to change.

And I've just received the following reply from someone else

Dear Mr xxx,

Thank you for your email dated 7/8/08 about activation of Unlimited Weekend Plan.

I am very sorry to hear of the difficulties you have experienced due to the change in the calling plan from Unlimited Anytime Plan free UK Anytime calls for 3 months to Unlimited Evening & Weekend Plan.

I want to inform you that after checking your account I have noticed that the contract has ended on the 29/07/2008 which was was not informed to you, furthermore I would like to inform you that I have made changees in your calling plan from Unlimited Anytime Plan free UK Anytime calls for 3 months to Unlimited Evening & Weekend Plan as per your request and there will be no cancellation charges.

If you have any further queries please do not hesitate to contact us again via e-mail.

Thank you for contacting BT.

Yours Sincerely,

tomstickland

I recently received the BT 1280 letter offering me free evening and weekend calls. ie: just pay line rental.
Since I only really use the phone in the evenings or at weekends this looks like a good deal.
It's a 12 month contract.

Are there any catches?

Quentin

There is this one:

If you went to primus for the free calls, then your bt service would be on a no contract basis, but if you take the free offer from BT, then you remain in a 12 month contract each year, unless you choose not to renew the deal at the end of any year.

tomstickland

OK, I can cope with that.

utilitybroker

The Primus Saver 2 offer is worth considering.

If you dont want a 12 month contract. (No contract with Primus).

If you would like to be able to talk for longer without redialling.(90 minutes on Primus 60 on BT).

If you would like to cap your mobile calls to 20p for up to 20 minutes anytime. (Primus Free Bolt On Penny Mobile offers this).

tomstickland

I doubt that I make enough calls to make another subscription worth my while.