BT Verbal agreements

Incisor

Quentin wrote: »

You don't have to have your line connected by BT if you don't want to.

But if you do, then you accept whatever their terms are, so how can that be "ridiculous"?

You don't accept "whatever their terms are" you agree a contract verbally or otherwise and the terms are as verbally agreed.

Quentin

Exactly. If you don't like the terms, don't accept them!

Incisor

Quentin wrote: »

Exactly. If you don't like the terms, don't accept them!

The problem is that BT seem to be making out that people have accepted terms which they have not been told about. So nobody gets the option to reject the terms they wouldn't like if they heard them. What is so hard about understanding that?

Quentin

No need to have an attitude!

If they don't give you the terms you obviously cannot have made a contract with them.

The post which started all this didn't mention not knowing the terms - just that it was ridiculous he was being kept to them because he was moving house and getting a new line installed. So he clearly does know the terms.

I just pointed out to him there was no need to accept those terms, and that he didn't have to use BT!

Incisor

Quentin wrote: »

No need to have an attitude!

Well, plainly, you are not addressing the point.

If they don't give you the terms you obviously cannot have made a contract with them.

So you are arguing that if you have a contract with them, then their terms must apply. That is what is wrong with your argument. A contract can be made verbally, with the terms ebing those discussed. The 'standard terms' do NOT apply unless they are agreed to as part of the contract.

The post which started all this didn't mention not knowing the terms - just that it was ridiculous he was being kept to them because he was moving house and getting a new line installed. Do he clearly does know the terms.

OP said "Three days later get letter welcoming me back to BT u will now be charged 10.50 line rental and 4.95 for unlimited anytime plan.So i call them tell them to cancel as that not what i wanted ,was told id made a verbal ageement on phone and that id have to write in and state my case." I think it is a fair reading that this is not buyers remorse - more the OP finding that the written terms were at variance with the verbal contract. ie, he knew the terms of the verbal contract and found that BT were imposing something different.

I pointed out to him there was no need to accept those terms, and that he didn't have to use BT!

Fair enough. But when he first got the terms [ie in writing], he got the run around for stopping the deal.

Quentin

You've lost me. All that I can glean for sure from this is you aren't making any apology for your unnecessary attitude:

What is so hard about understanding that?

I truly don't understand what you are trying to say, (unless all you are doing is wanting to provoke an argument).

The question asked that started this exchange was:

Does that mean then that when you move house and have a land line connected you must stay with BT for 12 months? because that's ridiculous!!!

I answered it with some advice on how not to to be tied for 12 months.

Then you butt in.

skint999

im a bt billing advisor (not proud of it lol), we are trained to maintain charges and contracts where possible. if no paper work has been issued i.e. term agreements and nothing signed from the customer then the only sure possible way around it is to state that you have been missold the product, if you remember for sure that something wasnt pointed out properly when the product was issued then you can contest against any charges.

always get issue numbers or a call reference when speaking to bt, and if you are not happy with what the advisor is telling you or decision that they are making, tell them and they will escallate the issue to a member higher up. you can do this online on bt.com if you want to keep writen records.

good luck

Mrs_T_13

Skint999 - Thanks for the info. Good to have something useful come from an insider.

I am not trying to avoid paying my dues at all. But I do feel I have been charged by stealth on this occasion. I was not made aware of a minimum contract period, nor that there would be a cancellation charge.

I have also been assured that the charge would be removed and a new bill issued - twice!

The letter has gone to the Complaints Department and to the Debt Recovery Unit, so now I guess it's time to wait.

Skint999 - should I use BT.com as well or would be overkill/confuse the system?

Thanks to everyone for their input.:cool:

Mrs T (a she NOT a he )

Incisor

Mrs_T wrote: »

Skint999 - Thanks for the info. Good to have something useful come from an insider.

I am not trying to avoid paying my dues at all. But I do feel I have been charged by stealth on this occasion. I was not made aware of a minimum contract period, nor that there would be a cancellation charge.

I have also been assured that the charge would be removed and a new bill issued - twice!

The letter has gone to the Complaints Department and to the Debt Recovery Unit, so now I guess it's time to wait.

Skint999 - should I use BT.com as well or would be overkill/confuse the system?

Thanks to everyone for their input.:cool:

Mrs T (a she NOT a he )

Thanks, Mrs T!

Quentin, please note the highlight above. This is what I am getting at. It is no good to say OP can choose not to take BT's contract, when BT only declare important conditions after the contract is agreed.

Mrs_T_13

Thanks to everyone who offered advice regarding the issue of verbal contracts.

The good news is that BT have finally agreed to remove the cancellation charge! :beer:

(It only took 8 emails, 7 phone calls and 1 letter - but we got there!).

Mrs T