BT Basic Line Rental: Get a landline for £4.50/month

kevanf1

Once again, those of us who are unable to work - please note, not unwilling but unable - due to a disability are not included in this new tariff. I am sick to death of us who have to rely on a fixed disability income being left out. We are also unable to claim anything back on council tax even though I have to claim full mobility and care components of disability living allowance. Could this actually be seen as discriminatory?

Topaz_3

I spoke to TalkTalk and they wont give an inch. They pay £10.50 to BT and as far as they are concerned that is that. My contract doesnt end until 8/09 and I wish I could afford to go elsewhere now. My internet service frequently cuts out while I'm using it - all the time, and they do nothing about it.:mad:

KimYeovil

Topaz wrote: »

I spoke to TalkTalk and they wont give an inch…

Are you sure you're posting to the right thread? I didn't know TalkTalk did calls-package-free packages.

Beepster

Hi,

Perserverance is whats needed! Good luck to you when you call BT.

I have spent 45 minutes on the phone with them this morning. BT's Indian call centre operative kept advising me of the amount of line rental my father is paying when I repeatedly asked for Bt Basic Tariff.

The best way to deal with an enquiry to BT regarding their basic tariff is to ask for Pensioner Tariff... then they will transfer you to the right department.

Good luck!

Beeps

leedspice

My brother who is disabled tried to get connected to BT Basic but was told it would cost 130 to reconnect. He can't afford this but was told he could reconnect for 29 on an ordinary, more costlier service. I complained as advert say "now everybody who wants a line, can have one" but they would not even register my complaint as I am not a customer.

I think this stinks, advice please!

Heinz

leedspice wrote: »

My brother who is disabled tried to get connected to BT Basic but was told it would cost 130 to reconnect. He can't afford this but was told he could reconnect for 29 on an ordinary, more costlier service. I complained as advert say "now everybody who wants a line, can have one" but they would not even register my complaint as I am not a customer.

I think this stinks, advice please!

http://www.asa.org.uk/asa/how_to_complain/complaints_form/

Graham1

leedspice wrote: »

My brother who is disabled tried to get connected to BT Basic but was told it would cost 130 to reconnect. He can't afford this but was told he could reconnect for 29 on an ordinary, more costlier service. I complained as advert say "now everybody who wants a line, can have one" but they would not even register my complaint as I am not a customer.

I think this stinks, advice please!

For the cheaper connection charge offer there is clause 5 of notice 21/08
http://www.serviceview.bt.com/list/Public/current/Notice08_boo/FrameworkImpl267413.htm#FrameworkImpl267413

5. Customers who qualify for BT Basic may migrate without fulfilling the remainder of their minimum period.

I don't know if that is the most "up to date" conditions as according to the notice it only applied up until 30'th June - but no later notice is listed.

Of course this would only apply if he would qualify for BT basic - I guess from earlier posts this is probably not the case.

utilitybroker

Graham1 wrote: »

For the cheaper connection charge offer there is clause 5 of notice 21/08
http://www.serviceview.bt.com/list/Public/current/Notice08_boo/FrameworkImpl267413.htm#FrameworkImpl267413

5. Customers who qualify for BT Basic may migrate without fulfilling the remainder of their minimum period.

I don't know if that is the most "up to date" conditions as according to the notice it only applied up until 30'th June - but no later notice is listed.

Of course this would only apply if he would qualify for BT basic - I guess from earlier posts this is probably not the case.

The latest £29.99 connection offer is here.
http://www.serviceview.bt.com/list/public/notifs/30-09-2008/Notice08_boo/NotificationPeriodImpl298465FrameworkImpl291574.htm#FrameworkImpl291574

To get this offer amongst other things you must agree to take out a Unlimited Weekend Plan, Unlimited Evening & Weekend Plan, or Unlimited Anytime Plan for a minimum period of 18 months.

Then if you qualify for BT Basic you may migrate to it without fulfilling the remainder of your minimum period.

jhp

leedspice wrote: »

My brother who is disabled tried to get connected to BT Basic but was told it would cost 130 to reconnect. He can't afford this but was told he could reconnect for 29 on an ordinary, more costlier service. I complained as advert say "now everybody who wants a line, can have one" but they would not even register my complaint as I am not a customer.

I think this stinks, advice please!

From the BT Basic Q&A pages.

Q. Can I get BT Basic if I don't have a BT phone line?

A. No. You need to have a BT phone line to get BT Basic. If you don't have a BT phone line then you will need to change to BT before you can get BT Basic. A one-off connection charge may apply to some customers. We'll let you know if this charge applies once you've ordered and we've made some checks. If the charge does apply you can spread the cost over a 12 month period (without incurring any additional charges). If you do choose to spread this connection charge, you will have to pay £24.99 as the 1st initial payment, followed by 4 quarterly payments of £25.00 each.

Beepster

Sounds like a bit of a con really. Quite digusting. Nothing like making something complicated for the elderly. I myself and 35 years found the whole porocess of ordering Basic Line totally unsatisfactory.

Maybe MSE Martin has some contacts and can forward this matter onto the press. Sounds like BT is fulling a fast one!

Good luck all.

Beeps